Shelf life of D76 Powder

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mmartin09

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I was cleaning out my cabinets in my utility room and found 2 unopened packages of D76 powder. One expired in late 2016 and the other expired in late 2017. Since these are unopened, would they still be good to use? if there is any degradation, I would rather just buy new since it isn't all that expensive. On the other hand, if they are perfectly good to use, I would rather not waist them. Any ideas?
 
mmartin09 said:
I was cleaning out my cabinets in my utility room and found 2 unopened packages of D76 powder. One expired in late 2016 and the other expired in late 2017. Since these are unopened, would they still be good to use? if there is any degradation, I would rather just buy new since it isn't all that expensive. On the other hand, if they are perfectly good to use, I would rather not waist them. Any ideas?
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I can guarantee that they are 100% good

I have in the past ( during my slow speed film and Rodinal phase) spilt the contents of a Kodak D76 packet that was for 3.8 litres in two and stored the un-used powder half in a compact air-tight container for a year and a half and it was still good when mixed and used.
 
Yeah, probably. If the powder is still white, hasn't oxidized -- probably still good. Mix it and develop a test roll. That's the only real way to tell.
 
I would say that if the developer is in the yellow and white plastic pouches, as I'm sure yours is, then the shelf life is about......forever. I'm still using Kodak Microdol X in cans that was made decades and decades ago. It works just like new, and is one of the finest developers ever made (as is D76). Only the stuff that's in the yellow paper pouches goes bad, and even then it takes a long, long time.
 
Steve M. said:
I would say that if the developer is in the yellow and white plastic pouches, as I'm sure yours is, then the shelf life is about......forever. I'm still using Kodak Microdol X in cans that was made decades and decades ago. It works just like new, and is one of the finest developers ever made (as is D76). Only the stuff that's in the yellow paper pouches goes bad, and even then it takes a long, long time.
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Yes, that is how mine is packaged. I'll mix it up and give it a go with some Eastman 5222... now, I just have to go shoot some pictures.
 
I have confirmed it is perfectly usable. Here is an image developed from the powder expired 1 year ago.

Note, taken with MP, 50mm Zeiss Sonnar ZM. HP5 @800, D76 1+1.

Dm-GryxU0AAkZBi.jpg
 
mmartin09 said:
I have confirmed it is perfectly usable. Here is an image developed from the powder expired 1 year ago.

Note, taken with MP, 50mm Zeiss Sonnar ZM. HP5 @800, D76 1+1.
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Very nice image !

Nice and crisp and contrasty and yet exhibiting good tonality.

I knew those packets of D-76 would be OK.

2 years in original sealed packing are no different than buying it from an out of the ways Mom & Pop photo store in years gone by, where darkroom products moved slowly in sales.
 
xayraa33 said:
Very nice image !

Nice and crisp and contrasty and yet exhibiting good tonality.

I knew those packets of D-76 would be OK.

2 years in original sealed packing are no different than buying it from an out of the ways Mom & Pop photo store in years gone by, where darkroom products moved slowly in sales.
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Thank you! It was from my first roll testing out a new-to-me Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. So far, I'm really liking it.
 
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