How to mix Ilford ID-11?
So here I am, sitting in the darkroom with my nitrile gloves*, fiddling with the silly touchscreen of my iPhone, googling “how to mix Ilford ID-11” — all because the sleek and clean (I actually love it) new packaging of Ilford ID-11 didn’t include mixing instructions.
I was trying out the new Harman Kentmere 200, and since there’s only limited data on it, I opted for a no-nonsense developer like ID-11 to get a solid baseline with my first test roll. Ilford recently overhauled the packaging design for most of their products — but what they seem to have conveniently left out are the instructions that used to be part of the packaging for their powder developers.
The old box was a flimsy cardboard affair with two sachets of powder labeled Part A and Part B. Inside the box, there was a simple but incredibly helpful diagram showing exactly how to mix the powder to make the working solution.
I’ve worked in a photo lab for a couple of years, and the darkroom is a place I feel at home in. I know the movements, the rhythm, the procedures — and ideally, googling things shouldn’t be part of that workflow.
Alas, the www.ilfordphoto.com website was useless in the moment — I couldn’t find anything quickly. So I had to take off my gloves and find a proper computer. Only then did I locate the instructions, buried in plain text within a larger document covering all of Ilford’s powder developers (Microphen, ID-11, Perceptol).
Unfortunately, the helpful diagram was missing. And that’s a real shame — it used to make everything so clear.
This whole strange scenario left me puzzled, with a couple of questions:
- Who thought it was a good idea to remove the instructions from the packaging? Can you imagine buying something from Ikea and it just comes without instructions?
- Was this meant to drive people to the website? If so, that’s not a clever move — it frustrates users, and the website doesn’t even sell anything, so why bother?
- And why remove the diagram from the online document? It’s digital — it costs nothing to include a diagram. Why strip it down to plain text?
Ilford has done a great job in keeping film alive and even introducing new emulsions like Phoenix 200 and Kentmere 200. But if film is supposed to be available and accessible, why over-complicate something as basic as mixing your developer?
Anyway, I’ve attached a scan of the original mixing instructions for reference.
So in case you find yourself googling “HOW TO MIX ILFORD ID-11” this is for you:
Mind that this one is for mixing 1000ml. If you’re mixing 5000ml, it’s the same process — just start with 3750ml of water instead of 750ml.
*Just a side note: latex gloves aren’t safe for handling darkroom chemicals, as the chemicals can seep through. Nitrile is much better and is the recommended option.
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