Are Chemicals Too Old?
Nov 8, 2023 05:24:05 #
Dave Flash
Loc: South Jersey
I have a desire to return to home processing of B&W film. From my darkroom days 25 years ago, I have several bags of Kodak D76 film developer and the same amount of Kodak fixer. The bags are unopened and the chemicals are free-flowing in the bags. Has anyone had experience us old chemicals? Thanking you in advance for the kindness of your reply.
Nov 8, 2023 14:04:46 #
Dave Flash!
My wife and I had a custom photo lab in NYC's "Photo District" for 40 years. We normally used Kodak, Ilford and Agfa pre-mixed chemistry. Once in a while, we also used US military surplus Kodak chemicals which were usually
in 1-gallon cans, mainly D-76, Microdol-X and Dektol. We would do A-B tests with these and all were of equal quality as current products. If the powder is white or even slightly beige, then they should be good. I would never-the-less do a 5 or 6" clip test on a few frames of film as a test. Fixer usually lasts forever! When mixed, film should clear in a fresh fixer for 5-8 minutes or so. Be sure to properly agitate your developing tank(s).
Liquid developers were long-lasting in full, glass bottles but not so much in plastic containers of recent vintage. Rodinol, a popular Agfa liquid developer that a number of photogs requested would oxidize and turn to a dark
brown color if kept too long. As the working solution was highly diluted: 1 part concentrate to 25, 50 or 100 parts of water, a fresh supply of it was necessary. We often used a can of inert gas to fill the bottle to keep out oxygen.
Best of luck! Be well! Ed
My wife and I had a custom photo lab in NYC's "Photo District" for 40 years. We normally used Kodak, Ilford and Agfa pre-mixed chemistry. Once in a while, we also used US military surplus Kodak chemicals which were usually
in 1-gallon cans, mainly D-76, Microdol-X and Dektol. We would do A-B tests with these and all were of equal quality as current products. If the powder is white or even slightly beige, then they should be good. I would never-the-less do a 5 or 6" clip test on a few frames of film as a test. Fixer usually lasts forever! When mixed, film should clear in a fresh fixer for 5-8 minutes or so. Be sure to properly agitate your developing tank(s).
Liquid developers were long-lasting in full, glass bottles but not so much in plastic containers of recent vintage. Rodinol, a popular Agfa liquid developer that a number of photogs requested would oxidize and turn to a dark
brown color if kept too long. As the working solution was highly diluted: 1 part concentrate to 25, 50 or 100 parts of water, a fresh supply of it was necessary. We often used a can of inert gas to fill the bottle to keep out oxygen.
Best of luck! Be well! Ed
Nov 8, 2023 14:45:57 #
Dave Flash
Loc: South Jersey
Thank you Ed for your reply to my inquiry. You have given me the answers I was hoping for.
I appreciate your time in answering my questions. Now all that I have to do is remember how to work in total darkness.
I appreciate your time in answering my questions. Now all that I have to do is remember how to work in total darkness.
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