PetPhoto
Member
I read few years back that photo flo was prone to getting water mold and other nasties when stored. Sure the directions say to mix 1ml of photoflo into 1 liter of water.. but the life is short..
I read upon a photrio thread that one should make it with 200ml of 90-91% iso propyl alcohol and 1ml of photo flo, fill up to 1 liter with water.
I did that and i have had it last without water mold or other nasties for almost 3 years now in the bathroom. Sure I had to put an extra 1ml of photo flo in after about 18 months because it didnt have the same feel on the negatives, the alcohol smell is starting to fade by half id say.
I read upon a photrio thread that one should make it with 200ml of 90-91% iso propyl alcohol and 1ml of photo flo, fill up to 1 liter with water.
I did that and i have had it last without water mold or other nasties for almost 3 years now in the bathroom. Sure I had to put an extra 1ml of photo flo in after about 18 months because it didnt have the same feel on the negatives, the alcohol smell is starting to fade by half id say.
Cascadilla
Well-known
Photo Flo is cheap. I have always mixed a fresh solution each time I develop film and then tossed it. Why risk potential contamination of your next roll of film when it costs pennies to start fresh and never have that problem.
besk
Well-known
Recent experience: I mixed up a fresh solution. It developed mold or something after 3 weeks at 68F. I will now mix up a fresh batch every week or sooner.
Nitroplait
Well-known
What is the difference between Kodak Photo Flo and Fujifilm Driwel?
I’ve had two bottles of Driwel open for about a decade without signs of mould.
I’ve had two bottles of Driwel open for about a decade without signs of mould.
Cascadilla
Well-known
My current bottle of Photo Flo concentrate is at least 10 years old and still mold free. I've never used the Fuji equivalent, but I suspect that they are similar in their chemical components.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I had no issues with old stock Photo Flo. I have no idea if they changed something recently.
AveryWagg
Established
If I mix it and use it right away I never have problems. However, if I mix up a batch of 'working' solution and let it sit for longer than about two weeks, I'll get a film or residue on the negs. Almost as if I mixed up a batch that was way too strong..
..Avery
..Avery
Dogman
Veteran
I always added a few drops (non-specific "small amount") to a tankful of water, shook it a little bit and then dumped it. Never a problem.
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Freakscene
Obscure member
Very little. They use slightly different glycols (a carrier) and phenoxyethanol derivatives (surfactants). The surfactant in Photo Flo is also used in vaccines and a lot of biomedical applications.
It is not the open concentrate that goes off, it is the working solution. I always found Photo-Flo worked best at half the recommended strength. I mixed it in distilled filtered water and use it for a day, then toss it.
Nothing will grow in 18% isopropanol. An alcohol can help aid rapid drying, but isn't necessary. It can also help stop things grow in your Photo Flo, but I wonder what has accumulated in it over 2 years?
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PetPhoto
Member
By the time i get to the photo flo, on the days i do use it.. everything has been rinsed out of the tanks and reels and films with alot of water.. so not much other then chemical. I did add more photoflo to it that time because it wasnt behaving on the film the way i was used to.
200ml iso really does seem to help. But man, it smells
200ml iso really does seem to help. But man, it smells
Prest_400
Multiformat
In my community darkroom there is a fun anecdote, someone messaged saying that they could not find Photoflo. We have a neat eyedropper small bottle of it.
Welp, there is a gallon Photoflo 600 which is of industrial proportions. It was found and used again. Then there was a small 250ml or so bottle of Photoflo 200. The concentrates are who knows how old and keep well so far.
In actual working use, we just have a reused plastic food container. Couple of drops and fill with tap water. Then after washing, just see saw the film in that and hang to dry.
This working solution appears to work well for a couple weeks or so. Sometimes it generates gelatin like strands, in other instances I saw glitter like formations contained in it.
The actual routine should be aimed to be more precise, as 35mm does occasionally get drying marks.
Welp, there is a gallon Photoflo 600 which is of industrial proportions. It was found and used again. Then there was a small 250ml or so bottle of Photoflo 200. The concentrates are who knows how old and keep well so far.
In actual working use, we just have a reused plastic food container. Couple of drops and fill with tap water. Then after washing, just see saw the film in that and hang to dry.
This working solution appears to work well for a couple weeks or so. Sometimes it generates gelatin like strands, in other instances I saw glitter like formations contained in it.
The actual routine should be aimed to be more precise, as 35mm does occasionally get drying marks.