Darkroom Notes: AristaPan 100 in Arista Premium F76 Plus
Complete development process for AristaPan 100 film using Arista Premium F76 Plus developer in a Paterson tank setup. This recipe has been tested and refined for consistent results with this classic film stock.
Film Details
- Film Stock: AristaPan 100
- Format: 35mm (2 rolls per session)
- ISO: 100 (rated at box speed)
- Tank: Paterson Universal Tank
- Total Volume: 580ml
Developer Recipe
- Developer: Arista Premium F76 Plus (D-76 type)
- Dilution: 1:9 (58ml developer + 522ml distilled water)
- Temperature: 77.1°F (25°C)
- Time: 4:40 (4 minutes 40 seconds)
- Agitation: 30 seconds initial, then 10 seconds every minute
Complete Chemistry Setup
All chemicals mixed with distilled water at 77.1°F
| Chemical | Brand/Type | Volume | Mass | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer (1:9) | Arista Premium F76 Plus | 58ml + 522ml water | 68.4g + 522g | 590.4g |
| Stop Bath (1:19) | Ilford IlfoStop (citric acid + indicator) | 29ml + 551ml water | 32.1g + 551g | 583.1g |
| Fixer (1:5) | Clayton Rapid Fixer RF19 (non-hardening) | 96.7ml + 483ml water | 111.2g + 483g | 594.2g |
| Wetting Agent (1:200) | LegacyPro Wetting Agent 200 | 2.9ml + 577ml water | 3.0g + 577g | 580.0g |
Process Steps (All at 77.1°F)
| Step | Time | Agitation | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Loading | - | - | Cut leader square, opener on bottom, push with top piece |
| Pre-Rinse | 1:00 | Gentle continuous | Distilled water (optional) |
| Development | 4:40 | 30sec initial + 10sec/min | Pour fast, start timer, tap bubbles |
| Stop Bath | 0:30 | Continuous gentle | Yellow→purple when exhausted |
| Fixing | 5:00 | 40sec initial + 5sec every 30sec | Must clear completely |
| Wash | 3-4min | 5 → 10 → 20 inversions | Dump & refill between, tap water OK |
| Final Rinse | 5 inversions | Very gentle | Distilled water + wetting agent |
| Drying | 2-4hrs | None | NO SQUEEGEE, dust-free area |
Fixing Agitation Pattern
40 seconds continuous initially, then 5-second bursts at: 1:10, 1:40, 2:10, 2:40, 3:10, 3:40, 4:10, 4:40
Results with AristaPan 100
Film Characteristics
- Grain: Fine grain structure typical of 100-speed film
- Contrast: Normal to slightly high contrast tendency
- Tonality: Neutral with excellent midtone separation
- Shadow Detail: Excellent retention with this developer combo
- Highlight Detail: Smooth rolloff, no harsh clipping
What Worked Well
- 4:40 timing provides perfect density for AristaPan 100
- Temperature consistency prevents reticulation issues
- Gentle handling preserves the soft emulsion
- Measured by weight ensures repeatable results
AristaPan 100 Specific Notes
- Soft emulsion requires gentle handling throughout process
- High contrast tendency - watch for blown highlights in bright scenes
- Responds well to D-76 type developers
- DO NOT squeegee - emulsion damage risk is high
Safety & Technical Reference
| Safety | Film Notes | Water Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| ⚠️ Wear gloves & eye protection | Soft emulsion - handle gently | Distilled: all chemicals |
| Hydroquinone in developer | High contrast tendency | Tap water: wash only |
| Good ventilation required | DO NOT squeegee when drying | Final rinse: distilled water |
Troubleshooting for AristaPan 100
| Problem | Adjustment at 77.1°F |
|---|---|
| Too thin/underexposed | Increase time to 5:10-5:30 |
| Too dense/overexposed | Reduce time to 4:00-4:20 |
| Pinholes | Use gentler agitation pattern |
| Uneven development | Check reel loading, ensure film isn’t touching |
Recipe Summary
AristaPan 100 Development
- Film: AristaPan 100 @ ISO 100
- Developer: Arista Premium F76 Plus 1:9 @ 77.1°F for 4:40
- Agitation: 30sec initial + 10sec/min
- Capacity: 2 rolls per batch
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This combination of AristaPan 100 and Arista Premium F76 Plus delivers excellent results with fine grain and smooth tonality. The 4:40 development time has proven optimal across multiple sessions.
Sample Images & Scanning Results
The developed negatives from this session are currently being digitized using the mirrorless scanning method with macro lens setup. Detailed scanning results, image samples, and technical analysis will be covered in Part 2 of this development note.
This is part of the Darkroom Notes series documenting film development recipes and techniques.