Presoak

Presoak
To soak film briefly in water prior to immersing it in developer.

I presoak my films 2-10 minutes (I think I forgot once, and they were there for 1/2 hour), develop 2 film at the time in a Paterson tank for 18 min in 600ml (as compared to 500 stated from Tetenal) with Kodaks recommended agitation, ...

1. Presoak 65-75° 1m
Constant agitation
2. Developer 65-75° variable
Constant agitation for the first 15s, then one figure 8 every 30s ...

Water presoak. This is an optional precursor to development and is not necessary. Most roll films could take a thirty second rinse in water to aid in processing.

10/ Transfer the sheets to a tray with water in it (I refill the initial presoak tray). Run through one cycle of agitation.
11/ Refill the tray with water and agitate for 2 minutes.

Unfortunately, he showed no examples of prints solarized with this developer; indeed he indicated preference for a similarly constituted developer, containing benzotriazole, and a procedure involving paper presoaked in developer and two successive ...

The films are immersed, emulsion-side up, in the developer to reduce greater damage that would occur if the emulsion, already softened by presoaking, were allowed to come in contact with the bottom of the tray.

See also: Processing, Photography, Film, Negative, Development