Unused Expired Chems?

[wjlapier]

I have some unused expired chems I was wondering if I could still use. The Rodinal outside the bag has been used ( tested stand dev ). Everything else is as it was shipped from Freestyle.

I know I could test it, but in the mean time I might want to buy more fresh chems.

Your thoughts on the used Rodinal?

Everything stored under the sink in bathroom.

Thanks.

 

[Bill Clark]

I use expired chemicals. Haven't had issues. But I'm cheap!

Just used up from my last of a batch of D-76 I mixed into stock solution July 2012.

Go out take a roll or two of black & white film and see what you get. Haven't used T-Max developer. Rodinal, as I understand, the stock/concentrate will last a long, long time. I use it as "stand" development.

I have Ilford Hypam & Rapid fixer, 25 liter stock solution bottles that are at least 5 years old. They both still work just fine.

I use mt 2 liter soda bottles to store, from mixing from powder in a large container, my stock solutions for film/print developer.

Also, I believe, storing the bottles in a relatively dark and cool space with fairly constant temps. helps with the life of the product.

Hope this helps you!

 

[Filzkoeter]

naah, should be fine 🙂
The Rodinal looks fresher then the last one I used (dark brownish red with a lot of crystals in it... worked fine).

The powdered developers should have nearly unlimited shelf life when they have no holes in the packaging (which reminds me that I still need to try some unopened 30+ year old Microphen and Perceptol packages)

I also don't think that fixer can go bad.

 

[LCL999]

I use old and expired developers. I always test them by taking an offcut from the leader of the film roll, exposing it fully (a minute or so in full sun), then developing it for recommended time and fixing it. It should turn out a solid even black.

btw when fixing your negs should clear (go from milky) in under two minutes.

Also use a stop bath to preserve your fixer. I use a schluck of white vinegar in half a litre of water and throw it out after use.

 

[willie_901]

Stable chemicals, such as those used in film development degrade due to three reasons

o heat
o oxygen
o water (humidity).

Over long periods of time even typical room temperatures and oxygen diffusion through sealed plastic packaging will lead to decomposition. Foil packets would extend self life. Two years out of date is much different than a decades old expiration date. However storage life would be much longer for sealed plastic packaging stored in sealed glass containers at lower temperatures.

I would just run a test now and then to see if the development times remain constant. Suspended or precipitated particulate matter (that won't redissolve) could be filtered out.

 

[nikon_sam]

I don't see a problem using all this stuff...enjoy...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I really liked the "schluck of vinegar" measure... Where does one get a "schluck" cup? 🙂

Funny, it reminds me of the old fashioned "pinch" of salt that I've seen in some old time recipes...

BTW, I used once a very, very old solution of D76. It was so old it smelled, it reeked! I thought my house was going to explode.

Nothing happened, it was all OK. But then, just for the heck of it, I threw away the rest...