dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
I've got some unmixed, powdered, unopened D-76 developer.
The "best before" date is last year (2013).
Does this stuff REALLY go bad?
Curious,
Dave
The "best before" date is last year (2013).
Does this stuff REALLY go bad?
Curious,
Dave
JRminox
Established
No, if the package is hermetically sealed. Go ahead use it.
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
icebear
Veteran
Dave, "Best before" is only the manufacturer guaranteed period of time that the properties of the product must perform as promised by the specs.
It doesn't necessarily mean it's gone bad just a day or week after that.
I have eaten plain yoghurt 4-8 weeks beyond exp. date, perfectly fine.
On the other hand : You have some film exposed and hopefully you have some keepers among the shots. How much is a fresh pack of developer and is this worth it to risk the quality of the development? That's ultimately your call.
It doesn't necessarily mean it's gone bad just a day or week after that.
I have eaten plain yoghurt 4-8 weeks beyond exp. date, perfectly fine.
On the other hand : You have some film exposed and hopefully you have some keepers among the shots. How much is a fresh pack of developer and is this worth it to risk the quality of the development? That's ultimately your call.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
My b/w DIY adventure started with complete darkroom kit given by my fellow colleague and customer from Rogers Cable. It has very old D-76 in the kit. So old, the paint started to fail off from the package.
One of the scans from TMAX400 in it. And one of my first b/w film rolls.
Jump by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
One of the scans from TMAX400 in it. And one of my first b/w film rolls.
Jump by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
Fotohuis
Well-known
The chemical content of D-76 is pretty stable. If the package is not broken it will be OK. In the past D-76 was packed in a metal can and this package could be kept in decades!