Ouch--Kodak discontinuing some chemicals!

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The link below will take you to a PDF page showing which chemicals Kodak is discontinuing. Within this list is my favorite film developer, Microdol-X. That dismays me heavily, although I can switch to Ilford's Perceptol which is purportedly very similar to it.

http://www.dr5.com/B_W and E_6 Chemical Discontinuances PCN110209_AO.pdf

Kodak also reported on the Web that its digital imaging group's sales fell 35% in the third quarter of 2009. Geez, they can't do anything right, can they!
 
STOP! This is old (a month at least) news. READ CAREFULLY. Kodak will stop shipping large quantities of most chemicals. Consumer sizes will continue to be shipped. READ THE PDF file. Left column-discontinued. Right column-substitute.

Xtol in 50 liters-gone
Xtol in 5 liters-safe, still available
Same for other chemicals. Large size gone, small size still around.
Microdol-X - GONE!

READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT for yourself. Don't take my word or any other 3rd hand report.

STAMP OUT INTERNET RUMORS!
 
Xtol is still available

Xtol is still available

Paddy C said:
I don't currently develop my own film but was thinking about starting and using XTOL. The PDF shows 5L and 50L quantities being discontinued. Is it available in other sizes?
Click to expand...

XTOL IN 5 LITERS IS AVAILABLE.

This is how internet myths get started.
 
Paddy C said:
I don't currently develop my own film but was thinking about starting and using XTOL. The PDF shows 5L and 50L quantities being discontinued. Is it available in other sizes?
Click to expand...

Read the chart a little more carefully. Left-hand column is what's being discontinued, right-hand column lists suggested replacements.
 
SORRY! Sheesh. 🙄

I'm a graphic designer and that is an example of terrible information design. Since I have no intention of processing colour film, I went right down to B&W (after reading the main heading which states that some chemicals are being discontinued). Notice that in this section, the "discontinued" and "substitute" headings are gone even though the chart is not continuos (there is a break between the two sections of listings).

So...

IF KODAK WANTS TO STOP INTERNET RUMOURS THEY OUGHT TO PUT A BIT MORE THOUGHT INTO THE DESIGN AND LAYOUT OF THESE CHARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have some rodinal, that should last me forever, foma makes a rodinal copy and XTOL is still made, so i'm good. However, it does suck that they are discontinuing their products like this, especially since they can make money on the film sales, they lose money on the digital crap...

Let Sony make money on digital, Kodak.... make money on film.
 
That is sad! I liked Microdol-X but haven't used it much lately. I find diluted concentrates to be easier in use. I was a big fan of AGFA products, their fiber based paper was second to none and I Rodinal 1+50 is my all time favorite(I stocked it before it was gone from the shelfs). Probably I should do the same with microdol-x...
 
Well, we obviously have to go back in time and make our own. Get a copies of Anchell/Troops "The Darkroom Cook Book" and the "Film Developing Cook Book" and stock up on stock chemicals. This fad of having conviniently packaged chemistry is a bit novel anyway. Even into the 60's most photographers mixed their own. Easy, cheap and gives you very good control over the process. Most store-bought photographic chemistry was mixed and certain limitations were imposed as it had to be shipped, stored etc - and the choice of components were often selected with this in mind.
Black and white is easy - but color might be a bit more of a challenge, i admit - but not insurmountable. Most of the stuff is no more complex than basic high school chemistry anyway.
 
If you don't need high film speeds and are going to mix your own, try Pyrocat HD bec there is no need to bother with anything else. It is teh most incredible compromise (or best of all worlds in some respects) of perceptol/microdol, FX-39, Xtol, Rodinal etc. Fine grain, very high acutance, amazing tonality, great highlight control. Only bother is that it is about 1/3 stop slower than D76 or at best the same. If I did not live and work in Afghanistan it is all I would use.
 
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