Method of supplying replenishing solution in automatic developing machine

A method of supplying a replenishing solution to the processing tank incorporated in an automatic developing machine in which a photosensitive material is subject to developement by means of a developer, said developer having a desired pH, comprising the steps of:

• supplying a less active replenishing solution to said processing tank at the commencement of the present processing operation of said automatic developing machine prior to or in the course of the processing of said photosensitive material, said less active replenishing solution compensating for the deterioration of a developer due to air oxidation during the preceding operating period and the subsequent stop period of said automatic developing machine, wherein said less active replenishing solution has a lower pH than said desired pH of said developer;
• and
• supplying a normally active replenishing solution to said processing tank after completion of the supply of said less active replenishing solution, said normally active replenishing solution compensating for the deterioration of said developer due to the processing of said photosensitive material, said normally active replenishing solution having the same pH as said desired pH of said developer, wherein the value of the required quantity of said less active replenishing solution to be presently supplied represents a target MDR value, said target MDR value being obtained from the result of arithmetic operations based on a virtual MDR value of a predetermined quantity of said less active replenishing solution to be supplied under standard operational conditions and a true MDR value of the calculated quantity of said less active replenishing solution to be supplied, said true MDR value being obtained from the operating and stop periods of the preceding replenishment.