Contain yourself.. How do you store your chemistry.

[ibcrewin]

I've been using a public darkroom (printspace nyc) for developing my film. They use these 5 gallon jugs with spigots that makes filling beakers a snap. I've only been developing about a 2-3 rolls every couple of months. ( I switch between c-41, e-6, digital and MF). I want to start souping my film at home but I think a 5 gallon jug of developer is overkill for my purposes.

So, how do you store your chemicals for maximum shelf life? Is there a developer that I can make in very small batches or that has a very generous shelf life? I typically use hp5+, FP4 and sometimes Tmax.

Thanks.

 

[planetjoe]

I've just started using HC110, and I like it so far. More for 400TX than HP5+, but I'm new to HP5+, so I might have to tweak my process. The concentrated syrup has essentially infinite shelf life when stored "correctly"; for most folks, that ranges from "in the bottle it came in" to "decanted into smaller bottles w/less air".

I don't mix the stock ahead of time, but rather use an eyedropper to mix for each dev session. I've also been using dil H, so it'll probably last me...just about forever.

As for the other chemistry:

- Kodak Hypo-Clear stock is stored in a couple ~950mL brown "Datatainers"
- Kodak fixer is stored in two translucent 500mL Nalgene bottles (I use a two-bath fixer for films).

I actually store my chemistry in a dark closet, so I don't think opaque containers are necessary. Hope all that's useful.

I should also mention that, for me, the tough bit for intermittent darkroom work (I seldom get around to developing, much like yourself) is the relatively short shelf-life for stock solutions of fix and hypo-clear. That's why I'm more into HC110 right now than D76; my last batch of D76 sat around for WAY past its mixed shelf date.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[ibcrewin]

I guess my other option would be to shoot and develop more film. I guess chemicals are cheap enough I might just as well try it..

 

[Pepe]

diafine and rodinal last for ever, it is said.

I have my diafine, fixer and premixed washaid water in cleaned plastic one litre coke bottles. (and stopbath for printing in a glass bottle)

all of these go in a plastic box (ex-hamper, mostly so noone drinks them) in my basement (about 12-15 degrees C).

 

[RML]

Buy 1 liter bottles.

 

[DavidH]

So, how do you store your chemicals for maximum shelf life? Is there a developer that I can make in very small batches or that has a very generous shelf life? I typically use hp5+, FP4 and sometimes Tmax.

Thanks.

I use Jobo 1L bottles for my b&w work and keep it all stored in a cupboard (dark) when not in use. But I tend to develop a lot of film these days so there's not much chance of any of it getting out of date...

My favourite dev, Ilford dd-x at 1+4 only has a working life of 24 hours anyway! The undiluted chem will last 6 months in a half full bottle - and will be fully used long before then.
🙂

 

[Bryce]

If mixing and then discarding ("one shot") is your bag, rodinal or hc110 are perfect. Both have very long shelf lives and can be mixed one use at a time.
Diafine and Acufine might be worth considering since you can maintain a working strength solution with either for very long periods.
I nearly always use rodinal and decant it from its original bottle; it turns brown after a long time open, but still works fine.

 

[350D_user]

As I don't use much film developer (yet), I keep that stuff in a small glass coffee jar. Paper developer, fixer and stop-bath... they're kept in 700ml-1L Absolut vodka bottles.

It goes without saying, these bottles are clearly marked, and are kept out of direct sunlight.

 

[charjohncarter]

I just had a 32oz. opaque bottle of odorless Arista fixer go bad after 6 months. I mix my fixer one shot so air is the only contaminant. I guess I'll just have to go to powder if I want it to last longer. But I sure like the odorless fixer.