long living developer?

M

mooge

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does Tmax developer also expire in 6 months after I open it up? all the other stuff that the local stores only lasts about that long- says the bottle. Tmax developer is the only one missing a expiry date on it. and Rodinal is pretty much out of the question.

... or?

cheers.
 
Hello:

Diafine might fit the bill - users might also wish to comment as I am a Luddite Rodinol user: it lasts forever and gives the consistancy of a one-shot developer.

May I ask why it is not a candidate developer for you?

yours
FPJ
 
You can try getting some smaller bottles, which you can then fill to the brim leaving no air. The smaller bottles will be used up more quickly and the sealed ones will be as good as when you decanted the developer-concentrate.

Or you could shoot more film . . .
;)

EDIT: To be precise (and more helpful) go to your local pharmacist, explain what you are doing, and buy four glass 250ml bottles (assuming your concentrate is in litres). You can wash them and re-use them umpteen times.
 
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HC110 lasts a long time, and Rodinal and Diafine were already mentioned. Clayton developers are supposed to be good for a year after opening.
 
HC-110 will last the longest because you can measure out just enough syrup with a syringe to make what you need. Some do the same with Rodinal but you said that was out of the equation.
 
Hi, Dragunov.

I use Rodinal primarily and can attest as to its legendary keeping qualities. I think my current bottle is at least 12 years old !!! Is shows no signs of losing potency either. HC-110 is also a good keeper and also the Ilford equivalent, Ilfotec HC. Both are syrup consistency and keep literally years until you make working solutions by adding water. Due to their thick consistency they are best measured with a syringe, whilst Rodinal is more fluid and measured easily with a normal graduated cylinder. Either of these developers will give fantastic results and are not prone to the sudden death syndrome that some suffer from. This allows you to stash away a good deal to ensure a ready supply and be assured that it will not let you down when called on for use..

John.
 
The last bottle of TMax developer I bought had an expiry date on it. I first cracked it about a month ago, which was well past the expiry date, and it works fine. It will likely be gone in another couple of weeks, so I won't be able to tell you how long it lasts once it's opened.
 
rodinal is out of the question because neither Henry's or Vistek (the local chains) have it. yeah, outrageous.

eh? but they say...
"Keeping Properties Stock, liquid concentrate solution, or Dilution A in closed container (full)-6 months; 2 months in a half full container
Dilution B in a closed container (full)-3 months; 1 month in a half full container" (HC-110)

so HC-110 doesn't last for more than 6 months? I wouldn't use that up in a year, even...

thanks
 
the numbers are always conservative, though I can only speak for the 6-month keeping property of, say, d76. That's only for a full container. But I've had half full containers last me way longer than that - I might use a 1 gallon bottle slowly over the course of a year.

Decanting into smaller bottles would help solve the issue. But HC-110 stock should last a lot longer than 6 months, based on everything I've ever heard...
 
yeah, the numbers are conservative... when you are lucky. I've had dead developers that were right at the limit of the stated life... clear film sucks!

I'd think of ordering Rodinal, one bottle will last you a lifetime! (mine just turned 14 and still going strong!).
 
HC110 nomenclature is tricky, especially in an international arena. European HC110 is less concentrated than the syrup sold in the US, and some dilutions are not official, and depending on where you live, a 'stock' solution either means the stuff you buy or a 1+3 dilution. So check the Unofficial HC110 page for further information. It's my favorite developer, and anecdotally, I have used HC110 syrup that was opened more than two years earlier.
 
People rave about Rodinal, but I am quite sure HC110 is very close to it, if not the same.

Extremely Linear, which makes it great for stand development AND dilutable (I know it's not a word) to infinity, not a fine grain developer, anti fog prepertires because of the hign Potassium Bromide content and so on... HC-110 is a GREAT developer.
I prefer D76 but I end up using HC110 the most. My prints are GORGEOUS.

I judge prints and NOT scans, which is a huge error IMO.
 
Chris101 said:
HC110 nomenclature is tricky, especially in an international arena. European HC110 is less concentrated than the syrup sold in the US, and some dilutions are not official, and depending on where you live, a 'stock' solution either means the stuff you buy or a 1+3 dilution. So check the Unofficial HC110 page for further information. It's my favorite developer, and anecdotally, I have used HC110 syrup that was opened more than two years earlier.
Click to expand...


Yes, I know that page too, very helpful. BUT, the bottle of HC-110 I got from my local camera store was in the AMERICAN concentration, yet it was made in France... so look out what you get. Works fine of course.
 
Don't try Ilfosol... once open the bottle it will die very fast, less than one month and you will have completely ruined your film!
 
Really !!! the Syrup version of HC-110, (especially if decanted into smaller bottles), does not go off in a hurry and keeps years... The European watered down version however, can and will oxidise quicker. It is the only version that has let me down and that is the precise reason that I started using the gloopy golden syrup version. Ilfotec HC is almost identical and the same applies.
There is another alternative if you need cheap fresh Dev in a plentyful supply. Brew your own from dry chemicals. Some formulae are literally mixed by the spoon full and no weighing is nescessary. I think Kodak D23 is one such and is worth a look..

Ragards, John.
 
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Marsopa said:
Don't try Ilfosol... once open the bottle it will die very fast, less than one month and you will have completely ruined your film!
Click to expand...

Ilfosol is now on it's third generation and this no longer holds true, fortunately. It doesn't last as long as Rodinal though !
 
patrickjames said:
...

PMK is another developer that keeps for years as well as the versions of Pyrocat mixed in glycol. These are a little poisonous though.

...
Click to expand...

In the Pyro developers' family, I would definitely recommend 510-Pyro - works great with all kind of films, and keeps literally forever: it is mixed in TEA, which preserves it from all oxidation & aging problems; as well, PC-TEA, a Vit-C developer, has the same long-lasting qualities and produces excellent results. I have been using 510-Pyro exclusively for about 1 year and couldn't be happier with its keeping proprieties.
 
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