More on ID-3

[Jim Salt]

For anyone who's interested:
I've been doing a good deal of B&W the past few months, and have
been using a lot of ID-3 as my principal developer. I posted a note
some time ago about the mixing of ID-3. Here are some further
observations.
For comparisons, I tried a few other developers. I am fond of
ID-3, I like its results. As mentioned previously, you mix a stock
solution and then dilute it 1+3 parts water for use. I use it at 20
or 21° C; at higher temperatures it seems to increase energy and
contrast considerably but I did not explore this. I used the films at
their "normal" ISO ratings as given by the manufacturers.
ID-3 produces results similar to ID-11, for contrast and
density; it is more "healthy" and has greater contrast than either
Microphen or Microdol, and gives more detail in deep shadows than
Perceptol. It is reasonably similar to Blazinal (1:25) but the grain
seems to me to be better with ID-3. I also compared it with HC110 on
one occasion but because there are so many dilution and ISO
combinations possible with HC110 it is probably not worth commenting
on this.
I tried using ID-3 without dilution but it is difficult to
determine the developing times and offers no great advantage. ID-3 is
not a good developer to use for pushing negatives.
The general developing times for the dilution 1+3 are from 10 to
12 minutes: 100 Delta, 11; FP4 10; HP5 11.0 for normal and 11.5 for
slightly better contrast; Kodak HSIR 10.5; Efke 820 11 to 12. A bit
of experiment is necessary to get the contrast you like best.
I have found that a stock solution of ID-3 will keep for about 3
months. Over this time it will gradually change colour to yellow then
amber, but this in no way affects its strength. It may affect the
number of sheets developed however. In any case, beyond 3 months it
loses strength very rapidly and by 4 months it is no longer viable.
The working solution will keep for about 1 day but it is best to mix
fresh each morning.
ID-3 (1 litre of working solution) will develop at least 10
sheets 8X10 negative, and when very fresh it may do a bit more. It is
possible to compensate slightly for exhausting developer by adding
about 1 min. per sheet beyond 10 sheets but it exhausts rapidly once
it reaches its limit.

I hope this may be of use to one or more of you....
Jim