If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper
development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 18:50:47 -0500, "br" wrote:
I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill Sure. Add D-76. Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com Please remove the "_" when replying via email |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
In article , "br" wrote:
I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. Are you so desperate that you can't buy another mix and be done with it? |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
"br" wrote in message ... I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill There isn't. All developers are subject to oxidation from the air or from oxygen dissolved in the water. The rate of oxidation depends on the way they are stored. Its possible for a developer to work perfectly after nine months although this is in excess of the shelf life of any developer. Not all developers discolor when oxidized so being clear is not necessarily a test of condition. The developer can be tested for activity by developign a scrap of film in it. The film should darken within a few minutes. Since developer is cheap compared to the value of film, and certainly to the value of images, I suggest tossing it and starting fresh. Mixed developer lasts longest in filled, sealed, bottles. Since Xtol comes in a minimum of 5 liters, it may be advantageous to store it in five one liter bottles. Glass is best but high density plastic is pretty impervious to air. A way of minimising oxidation from dissolved air is to boil the water used for mixing the developer (or other photographic solutions) for a few minutes and allowing it to stand and cool. Decant or syphon off the water for use. Boiling will drive off dissolved gasses and also remove some soluble carbonates. When mixing stir just enough to keep the powders in suspension. More vigorous stirring will beat air into the water and does not make the powders dissolve any faster. Kodak gives a shelf life of about six months for most mixed developers. This is conservative since they want to insure good results even in worst cases. My experience is that developers like D-76 may last a year in storage but I don't recommend it. -- --- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
I appreciate your answer Mr. Knoppow. You have always been polite and on
topic. I do not write to this NG very often but when I have I've always received courteous and good answers but I have lost interest in this group because of a certain few folks that seem to have fun ridiculing others with their flame wars and childish comments. "Richard Knoppow" wrote in message link.net... "br" wrote in message ... I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill There isn't. All developers are subject to oxidation from the air or from oxygen dissolved in the water. The rate of oxidation depends on the way they are stored. Its possible for a developer to work perfectly after nine months although this is in excess of the shelf life of any developer. Not all developers discolor when oxidized so being clear is not necessarily a test of condition. The developer can be tested for activity by developign a scrap of film in it. The film should darken within a few minutes. Since developer is cheap compared to the value of film, and certainly to the value of images, I suggest tossing it and starting fresh. Mixed developer lasts longest in filled, sealed, bottles. Since Xtol comes in a minimum of 5 liters, it may be advantageous to store it in five one liter bottles. Glass is best but high density plastic is pretty impervious to air. A way of minimising oxidation from dissolved air is to boil the water used for mixing the developer (or other photographic solutions) for a few minutes and allowing it to stand and cool. Decant or syphon off the water for use. Boiling will drive off dissolved gasses and also remove some soluble carbonates. When mixing stir just enough to keep the powders in suspension. More vigorous stirring will beat air into the water and does not make the powders dissolve any faster. Kodak gives a shelf life of about six months for most mixed developers. This is conservative since they want to insure good results even in worst cases. My experience is that developers like D-76 may last a year in storage but I don't recommend it. -- --- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:04:26 -0500, "br" wrote:
I appreciate your answer Mr. Knoppow. You have always been polite and on topic. I do not write to this NG very often but when I have I've always received courteous and good answers but I have lost interest in this group because of a certain few folks that seem to have fun ridiculing others with their flame wars and childish comments. And others simply post ridiculous questions. Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com Please remove the "_" when replying via email |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
On 1/27/2004 4:22 PM John spake thus:
On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 18:50:47 -0500, "br" wrote: I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill Sure. Add D-76. Haw, haw. Reminds me of the advice I once heard from Tom Jennings, fiddler from Thatcher, Arizona, when asked what he'd do to improve a fiddle someone had thrust before him: "Well, I'd take off those strings, and the bridge, and then slide another fiddle under them. Ought to play pretty good then." -- Focus: A very overrated feature. - From Marcy Merrill's lexicon at Junk Store Cameras (http://merrillphoto.com/JunkStoreCameras.htm) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
On 1/27/2004 9:04 PM br spake thus:
I appreciate your answer Mr. Knoppow. You have always been polite and on topic. I do not write to this NG very often but when I have I've always received courteous and good answers but I have lost interest in this group because of a certain few folks that seem to have fun ridiculing others with their flame wars and childish comments. Aw, shucks, you're being too kind. Don't try to flatter us. -- It's stupid, moronic and too fcuking obvious, as obvious as counting your fingers, so TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW or just shut the fcuk up. - "jjs" in extremis on rec.photo.darkroom |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
Bill,
Some people are not what one would call "high volume" photographers, and others, like me, use several different developers, so extended shelf life becomes an issue. (The issue is not the cost, but the convenience of having the developer on hand and ready to use when you need it, such as at 10:00 p.m. on a holiday.) A few years ago, a very helpful individual posted a clever idea he store developer stock in the mylar bladders that are inside boxes of cheap wine. Mylar is impervious to oxygen. I think most cheap wine producers have become even cheaper and gone to plastic bladders, but it is possible to find the mylar version in shops that cater to home wine making. Using this technique, I have routinely stored Xtol and Bromophen (a paper developer) for well over a year with no loss in developer strength. Bob ----------------- br wrote: I have a half gallon of Xtol, which I'm sure, will not give proper development because it was made up about 9 months ago. (It's still clear) Is there any type of chemical that can be added to make sure of normal development? I would like to experiment but not sure how to start. (I heard that Xtol's life dimishes with age) Bill |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
salvaging a developer
David Nebenzahl wrote: On 1/27/2004 9:04 PM br spake thus: I appreciate your answer Mr. Knoppow. You have always been polite and on topic. I do not write to this NG very often but when I have I've always received courteous and good answers but I have lost interest in this group because of a certain few folks that seem to have fun ridiculing others with their flame wars and childish comments. Aw, shucks, you're being too kind. Don't try to flatter us. And just who is "us"? |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|