Age Ilford Multigrade FB?

Cor · Jan 28, 2008

Recently I acquired a lot of different boxes photo paper. Amongst them 2 boxes of Ilford Multigrade FB (MFB 1K (double weight)), so no IV or III digit, light green label.

The paper printed fine, the base colour is bit off-white.

I was wondering how old it approximately was, I had never seen this kind of Ilford paper before (it was priced before the euro, in dutch guilders, so before 2002)

Thanks,
Cor

BobNewYork · Jan 28, 2008

Strangely, I recently came into the possession of a box of this paper. I intend to test it some time this week. Really can't help as to the age of it but my guess is that it'll have lost some speed and contrast by now; which, of course, does not mean it cannot produce beautiful prints.

Let us know what you think and I'll post my thoughts when I'm done.

Bob

Bob F. · Jan 28, 2008

Might be some help here: http://website.lineone.net/~mauricefisher/Darkroom/Multigrade.html

Simon R Galley · Jan 29, 2008

Dear Cor

If you give me the batch numbers I can tell you when it was made

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Cor · Jan 30, 2008

Simon R Galley said:
Dear Cor

If you give me the batch numbers I can tell you when it was made

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Hi Simon,

It's extremely kind of you too look up the age.

It's Ilford MG FB paper:

30*40 cm (Cat 542860) Batch 60E22371
20*25 cm (Cat 542787) Batch 59A25693

Is MG FB supposed to be version I or II ? I have seen of course version IV (already around for quite some time) and also some rare boxes with version III

Thank you in advance!

Best,

Cor

Simon R Galley · Jan 31, 2008

Dear Cor,

Batch 60e is June 2001, previous Batch 60e was March 93
59a May 2001 59a February 93

Regards

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

Cor · Jan 31, 2008

Simon R Galley said:
Dear Cor,

Batch 60e is June 2001, previous Batch 60e was March 93
59a May 2001 59a February 93

Regards

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

Thanks alot, Simon!

So I guess I will have to assume it's 1993 than (judging the boxes and the price tag in guilders FWIW), if that is true the paper is doing really fine for it's age..

Appreciate your effort!

Best,

Cor

Simon R Galley · Jan 31, 2008

Dear Cor,

If its 93 and been stored well it should be OK,, may be a bit slower and have some increased base fog but if it works OK great.....saved a few guilders...sorry.. Euro's !

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN tcehnology Limited :

Miltonian · Feb 25, 2023

I know this is an old thread but I just bought Ilfosol (in Feb 23) with a batch code of 14C006 - I'm hoping that doesn't mean it was produced in 2014? My negs are kind of solarised.

pentaxuser · Feb 25, 2023

Miltonian said:
I know this is an old thread but I just bought Ilfosol (in Feb 23) with a batch code of 14C006 - I'm hoping that doesn't mean it was produced in 2014? My negs are kind of solarised.

I wonder if in Ilford chemical codes the initial numbers indicate the year of manufacture I can't recall the subject of identifying a year of manufacture from a code in the case of Ilford chemicals has come up

So unless you get replies from those who are sure of how it's done, contact with Ilford may be worthwhile

pentaxuser

Miltonian · Feb 26, 2023

pentaxuser said:
I wonder if in Ilford chemical codes the initial numbers indicate the year of manufacture I can't recall the subject of identifying a year of manufacture from a code in the case of Ilford chemicals has come up

So unless you get replies from those who are sure of how it's done, contact with Ilford may be worthwhile

pentaxuser

I saw that an Ilford rep had replied on this thread so that’s why I posted here but then I discovered a Contact Us page on the Harman Tech website so I have contacted them direct. Thanks for your reply.

Bill Burk · Feb 26, 2023

Simon Galley kept everyone here up to date with everything Ilford until he retired.

We don’t see his posts much anymore, but it would be fun to hear from him again, even if he were to just update us on what he’s doing with all his free time.

Age Ilford Multigrade FB?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency