How long do you keep D76?

[sanmich]

So let's ask the complementary question:

Does anyone mix only part of the 1 gallon and keep the rest of the powder for later?

 

[sanmich]

I used to cable them to the desks so I could have them for the next class.

What a great idea. I can't seem to keep my students for more than one class...😀

 

[clayne]

So let's ask the complementary question:

Does anyone mix only part of the 1 gallon and keep the rest of the powder for later?

No - and that's been discussed about a 1000 times now on various sites.

 

[Ronald M]

It works for 6 months in full glass bottles just as Kodak says. After that is loses strength slowly.

A half full bottle will cost you 1/2 grade contrast after 4/7 days. Never did that again.

I have done very careful tests of a strobe light studio subject for a year with tests weekly for two months, then bi weekly for two months, them monthly for the rest of the year. Same roll of bulk film freshly exposed for east test.

All developer was stored in full dark bottles, 4 oz size, and used one shot 1:1. Caps were the plastic ones with inverted cone seals inside.

I also tested Rodinal from 1998 to 2010 when it started to go bad. The bottle was used only for test purposes so it was relatively full. Bottle was an old one from Viradon toner and had a proprietary plastic cap on a dark glass bottle.

 

[JohnTF]

What a great idea. I can't seem to keep my students for more than one class...😀

Sometimes the bell did not awaken mine and they remained behind. ;-)

What happens when you post when you should be sleeping?

John

 

[JohnTF]

No - and that's been discussed about a 1000 times now on various sites.

Perhaps 20 minutes through the paint mixer at Home Depot first? ;-)



John

 

[mwoenv]

It lasts for 6 months, per Kodak's information if stored in a good bottle without air. I make up the full gallon and place it in four 1-liter plain seltzer water plastic bottles (3 x1 liter + 1 x 0.8 liter). I squeeze the bottles to eliminate headspace air before applying the cap. The PET plastic is a good oxygen barrier - makes sense as its purpose with seltzer is to keep carbonation in for about 6 months. Since they are clear, they need to be stored in the dark.

Other advantages are they are thin-walled so the solution temperature can be adjusted in a water bath quickly, they are clear so you can see if any precipitate or debris is in your solution (I filter using a coffee filter before each reuse), and they are free or the cost of the bottle deposit.

Since I prefer D76 stock, I reuse it (4 rolls per liter) and have noticed if I develop less than the 4 rolls that liter will turn slightly amber and cloud the bottle after about 3-4 weeks so I discard it (rarely occurs). But for liters that have not been used, they are good for at least 6 months. I always use it up within 6 months so I don't know the real life.

 

[jwicaksana]

I mixed one bag of D76 back in December 2012. I put one in a clear, plastic, fruit juice container. The bottle was kept under my desk, about room brightness, room temperature, which in my city is about 35 degrees C during the day. The D76 stock solution only filled about 20% of the bottle, but I developed a roll last night with it just fine. To be safe, I always cut a piece of the negative to test both the developer and the fixer before commencing the developing session.