Old Darkroom Find and a question

[dreilly]

So, I was talking with a friend of mine in the Bio department, and the subject of developing film came up. Some of you know I'm trying to start developing B&W at home with diafine. Well, she said, there's a darkroom downstairs that you could use.

So we investigated. It's really cool, with this revolving metal tube door to get in. Smallish, but two sinks, two enlargers (both 35mm) and a ton of chemistry that I didn't have time to look through. Also developing tanks, etc. It's basically loaded, and "in pristine condition"!

And nobody uses it, or cares if I use it. I just inherited a darkroom!

Now, the question. The chemistry is probably from 1996. Is any of it good or should I buy all new stuff?

cheers!
doug

 

[Chaser]

I would buy new stuff and start with fresh...but keep the old around you may later want to test it and play with it.

 

[FrankS]

If there is any unmixed powdered chemicals in sealed packets, they should be okay. Any liquid chemical (other than the stop bath) is probably oxidized and spent.

Cool find! The day after your birthday too, right? Happy birthday!

 

[dreilly]

Thanks, Frank! Actually, this was yesterday, on my birthday, and a very cool present indeed!

32 times around the sun, wahh-who!

I'll inventory it on Monday. I wasn't going to use stop-bath (with diafine) but maybe it'll come in handy later.

 

[FrankS]

The stop bath is just for prints, a water bath after the film developer is fine.

 

[titrisol]

Chemistry: if it is powdered and sealed should be fine
Liquids: Rodinal and HC110 have very long lives and maybe ok to use.


To test developers:
- They should be white or just pinkish when diluted
- Clip the leader from a 35mm roll and drop it in working solution. If the leader turns black in about 1/5 of the expected time of development then you are honky dory!

To test fixer:
- Clip a leader from 35mm, drop it in fixer and it should turn clear in a few seconds (45 or so). Fix for 3 times that.