Corran
Well-known
A few months ago I bought two large SPUR HRX 250ml x 2 developer set from macodirect. They are cheaper in Europe (this set is $60 @ Freestyle).
After cracking open the first two bottles (part A and B), everything was fine, but then I didn't use the developer for a few weeks. When I next went to develop some film, Part B was almost completely gone. After investigating, I found some pin holes in the bottle which were leaking! I was really ticked off because this stuff is not cheap. I lost about 80% of the bottle.
I emailed Maco and complained but they pretty much told me too bad, it's your problem.
I checked my other set and everything seemed fine. I put them away in my cabinet. I just happened to look in that cabinet today and what do I find but most of Part B filling up the plastic bag that the set ships in. I cut the bag open and drained the developer into another container and the whole bottle of developer came out. What I found was the bottle was completely shattered on the bottom. This makes no sense as I haven't touched it since I bought it. It certainly didn't get knocked over.
My hypothesis is that Part B is disintegrating the plastic bottle it ships in, and after a long period of time, the bottle fails. If you buy this developer, immediately transfer Part B into a new bottle - probably best if it's glass.
I have no clue if the Part B I salvaged is any good. I sure hope so. The two sets I bought would be $120 from FS if I bought them here in the US. Apparently the set from Maco is much cheaper than when I bought it. I don't really understand the price flux.
Here's the bottles I'm talking about:
https://www.macodirect.de/chemie/sch...ckler-2x-250ml
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/12039-...eloper-2x250ml
Perhaps I should email the SPUR manufacturer and complain. I'm pretty annoyed.
After cracking open the first two bottles (part A and B), everything was fine, but then I didn't use the developer for a few weeks. When I next went to develop some film, Part B was almost completely gone. After investigating, I found some pin holes in the bottle which were leaking! I was really ticked off because this stuff is not cheap. I lost about 80% of the bottle.
I emailed Maco and complained but they pretty much told me too bad, it's your problem.
I checked my other set and everything seemed fine. I put them away in my cabinet. I just happened to look in that cabinet today and what do I find but most of Part B filling up the plastic bag that the set ships in. I cut the bag open and drained the developer into another container and the whole bottle of developer came out. What I found was the bottle was completely shattered on the bottom. This makes no sense as I haven't touched it since I bought it. It certainly didn't get knocked over.
My hypothesis is that Part B is disintegrating the plastic bottle it ships in, and after a long period of time, the bottle fails. If you buy this developer, immediately transfer Part B into a new bottle - probably best if it's glass.
I have no clue if the Part B I salvaged is any good. I sure hope so. The two sets I bought would be $120 from FS if I bought them here in the US. Apparently the set from Maco is much cheaper than when I bought it. I don't really understand the price flux.
Here's the bottles I'm talking about:
https://www.macodirect.de/chemie/sch...ckler-2x-250ml
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/12039-...eloper-2x250ml
Perhaps I should email the SPUR manufacturer and complain. I'm pretty annoyed.
lawrence
Veteran
I know this doesn't help you very much but about ten years ago I had a problem with another two part liquid developer, Paterson FX-50, which it didn't last more than a week or two once the bottle had been opened. The problem with buying less popular or newly released products is that sometimes haven't been used in the field to the same extent as the market leaders. I'd definitely complain to SPUR about it.
PS. And of course there were the well known problems with Xtol when it was first released, which led to the withdrawal of the 1 litre size.
PS. And of course there were the well known problems with Xtol when it was first released, which led to the withdrawal of the 1 litre size.
colyn
ישו משיח
$60 for developer??????? 
What does this developer do that other less expensive developers don't do??
These bottles could have been mis-handled at some point along the way.. I bought some Rodinal some years back that leaked from the bottom....most likely from being dropped..
What does this developer do that other less expensive developers don't do??
These bottles could have been mis-handled at some point along the way.. I bought some Rodinal some years back that leaked from the bottom....most likely from being dropped..
Fotohuis
Well-known
A regular HD-PE bottle should be pretty tight and without leaks. Silar is even a bit better (used with R09/Rodinal). The bottle and label is the most expensive part for any chemical manufacturer but a too cheap version will give only troubles. I did over 10 years the export for Amaloco Photochemicals in Holland and we had seldom any problem with leaking bottles. These products were sold in whole Europe, even East Europe and the tricky stuff went in the winter together with a flower transport with conditioner on about 8C during the whole trip to Prague/Praha or whatever. In the past I found the SPUR bottles just so so ...... (some leakage during a transport from Germany to Holand). Nobody was happy with this I can tell you.
In the meantime I have imported mainly powder chemicals (due to weight) from Ukraine. A few specialties like PC-TEA (Pat Gainer) and Pyrocat-HD (C) (Sandy King) or a fixer test solution (KI) are also shipped in small HD-PE 50ml bottles. However I made a choice of just a few Hrivna (say Ukrainian dollar cents) more for a suitable bottle. Better safe than sorry.
I would ask replacement at the manufacturer, SPUR in Germany. Mr. H. Schain is the guy you should address the complaint.
In the meantime I have imported mainly powder chemicals (due to weight) from Ukraine. A few specialties like PC-TEA (Pat Gainer) and Pyrocat-HD (C) (Sandy King) or a fixer test solution (KI) are also shipped in small HD-PE 50ml bottles. However I made a choice of just a few Hrivna (say Ukrainian dollar cents) more for a suitable bottle. Better safe than sorry.
I would ask replacement at the manufacturer, SPUR in Germany. Mr. H. Schain is the guy you should address the complaint.
Findus
Established
I experienced the same problem with my HRX - the bottles leaked. My current set of bottles is tight however. I have been using HRX and its previous versions over several years (since version HRX-II) and for hundreds of films and just LOVE this stuff, so I will keep on using it. There is always the possibility to decant it into other bottles, but I think I will contact Dr. Schain about the problem. He is a very nice person, really helpful.
In Germany, the stuff costs <EUR 25,- for 2x250 ml. Worth every cent, IMO.
In Germany, the stuff costs <EUR 25,- for 2x250 ml. Worth every cent, IMO.
yesaroos
Established
hi Corran, sorry to hear that.. I got the same problem too, but with HRX 100ml x 2 some time ago.. I ask about the problem on APUG..
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/136153-how-work-spur-hrx.html
fortunately, other APUG member give me suggestion to directly contact SPUR.. so I did, not so long Mr. Schain contact me an offer some replacement because indeed those 100ml x 2 were factory defect.. they did sent me 250ml x2 replacement for FREE!
they're just work fine, here some result from the replacement HRX:
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/136153-how-work-spur-hrx.html
fortunately, other APUG member give me suggestion to directly contact SPUR.. so I did, not so long Mr. Schain contact me an offer some replacement because indeed those 100ml x 2 were factory defect.. they did sent me 250ml x2 replacement for FREE!
they're just work fine, here some result from the replacement HRX:
Heribert Schain
Newbie
Hello Corran
My name is Heribert Schain and I’m the director of SPUR Photochemie in Langerwehe, Germany.
A while ago we replaced our formerly used HDPE bottles by PET because with PET, the developers have got longer shelf lives, plus with PET you may use protective gas to keep the chemicals fresh even longer.
Then due to customer claims we found out that unfortunately, there were leaks with the bottle model we used, the bottom getting pierced. The chemicals in question are SPUR HRX and SPUR SD 2525. The problem concerns only Parts B.
We reacted immediately and are now using different, similar-looking bottles with a different shaped bottom. According to our tests with artificial ageing they are tight. Unfortunately there are still some „old“, leaky bottles in circulation, especially abroad. So this is why you’re experiencing this problem. Let me apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Of course we will let you have a free replacement of the broken HRX Part B bottles (we pay for the postage). So to this end, we would be grateful if you could let us have your full postal address. Mailto Heribert Schain: schain @ spur-photo.com (please remove the spam protecting blank spaces before pressing send).
We’re actually sorry that our products are so pricey with Freestyle! You may consider ordering direct from us. HRX is 24.80€ (= 26.33$). If the weight of your order does not exceed 2 kg, we can send it via registered letter (with tracking number). Shipping is a little over 20€. We accept Paypal. So if you choose to buy from us instead of Freestyle, our prices are more social, and if ever you experience a problem, you can get back to us direct. We do care.
Please excuse the worries.
My name is Heribert Schain and I’m the director of SPUR Photochemie in Langerwehe, Germany.
A while ago we replaced our formerly used HDPE bottles by PET because with PET, the developers have got longer shelf lives, plus with PET you may use protective gas to keep the chemicals fresh even longer.
Then due to customer claims we found out that unfortunately, there were leaks with the bottle model we used, the bottom getting pierced. The chemicals in question are SPUR HRX and SPUR SD 2525. The problem concerns only Parts B.
We reacted immediately and are now using different, similar-looking bottles with a different shaped bottom. According to our tests with artificial ageing they are tight. Unfortunately there are still some „old“, leaky bottles in circulation, especially abroad. So this is why you’re experiencing this problem. Let me apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Of course we will let you have a free replacement of the broken HRX Part B bottles (we pay for the postage). So to this end, we would be grateful if you could let us have your full postal address. Mailto Heribert Schain: schain @ spur-photo.com (please remove the spam protecting blank spaces before pressing send).
We’re actually sorry that our products are so pricey with Freestyle! You may consider ordering direct from us. HRX is 24.80€ (= 26.33$). If the weight of your order does not exceed 2 kg, we can send it via registered letter (with tracking number). Shipping is a little over 20€. We accept Paypal. So if you choose to buy from us instead of Freestyle, our prices are more social, and if ever you experience a problem, you can get back to us direct. We do care.
Please excuse the worries.
Corran
Well-known
Hello everyone,
I apologize that I did not update this thread in a timely manner. I corresponded with Mr. Schain via email a few days prior to his posts here and he had made the same offer to replace my Part B solution! I am very happy with this great customer service from SPUR!
I did not mean to disparage Freestyle's price, as I do not know what their supply chain and markup looks like, and I must give them credit for carrying a developer that no other US shop carries as far as I am aware. SPUR HRX is a fantastic general-purpose developer. I have used it with a few different traditional films and I need to try it now with some T-grain films. The tonality is fantastic. When I finish these bottles of SPUR I will certainly be ordering more!
Here is an example shot on Tri-X at EI 250, developed in SPUR HRX:
It also works great with a 1-stop push for low-light scenarios. Here's another, again Tri-X but shot at 500:
I apologize that I did not update this thread in a timely manner. I corresponded with Mr. Schain via email a few days prior to his posts here and he had made the same offer to replace my Part B solution! I am very happy with this great customer service from SPUR!
I did not mean to disparage Freestyle's price, as I do not know what their supply chain and markup looks like, and I must give them credit for carrying a developer that no other US shop carries as far as I am aware. SPUR HRX is a fantastic general-purpose developer. I have used it with a few different traditional films and I need to try it now with some T-grain films. The tonality is fantastic. When I finish these bottles of SPUR I will certainly be ordering more!
Here is an example shot on Tri-X at EI 250, developed in SPUR HRX:
It also works great with a 1-stop push for low-light scenarios. Here's another, again Tri-X but shot at 500:
alonbenav
Member
Glad to hear SPUR fixing this, because I absolutely LOVE HRX developer. HRX and Ilford films are a match made in heaven, even shot at box speed.
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Stuff like this happens...I once got a bottle of Edwal FG-7 that turned out to have only water in it.
Fotohuis
Well-known
Good margin for the manufacturer then ....