Developer/Stop/Fix lifetimes

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I started developing my own B/W several months ago. However, I've spent the last month or so on printing and haven't done any development. Now I want to do some more development, but am wary about the usefulness of the chemicals.

I have a 3/4 full bottle of TMAX developer, kodak rapid fix and kodak stop bath. These were bought around 2/1/00 and last used maybe 3/1.

I would suspect the fix and stop is ok, but what about the developer? Last thing I want is to ruin the rolls because I'm not developing often enough and have let the chem go bad.

thanks,

ben

-- Ben Grosser (grosser@uiuc.edu), March 25, 2000

Answers

THe stop and fix are fine. Stop is fine until it is no longer acid. If you use indicator stop, that is when it changes color.

Fix is supposed to have a 6 month shelf life after mixing. This is for Kodak Fix (powder). I have a bottle around that was mixed 1 year ago (3/99) and I have some very old rolls of film, unexposed. So I tried the fixer. Works fine.

As to the developer, is this the stuff as it comes from Kodak? If so, it should be fine. If you diluted it, I would toss it. For keeping the stock longer, either squeeze the bottle to eliminate air, or use something like Tetnal Protectan spray which displaces the oxygen.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), March 25, 2000.


Yup, it is the stock TMAX (undiluted) in the grey/silver bottle. I didn't squeeze the air out unfortunately.

Thanks for the info!

ben

-- Ben Grosser (grosser@uiuc.edu), March 25, 2000.


OK, according to Kodak T-Max stock stored in a half full bottle is good for 2 months. And this is based on normal room temperature.

And I made a mistake, according to Kodak mixed stock Fixer is good for only 2 months, and the working solution for 1 month.

SO figure that Kodak is somewhat conservative with its ratings. Also for chemical reactions figure that for every 20 degree drop in temperature, things go by 1/2, so the keeping time should be doubled. So if you put the chemicals in the refrigerator you get more than twice the life.

The quick and easy way would be to shoot a 24 exposure roll, and develop it. If it works, use it. If not, toss it and buy some more.

BTW many people prefer Xtol to T--max developer.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), March 26, 2000.


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