Agfa Ansco M-Q developer. Use it or shelf it

[guyver]

Hi
Got this old universal developer tubes from the flea market.
I'm sure it's good to use but will it contribute anything more or different than any other developer out there on the market.

 

[guyver]

 

[Ian Grant]

Keep it as it is.

Ian

 

[David Lyga]

Don't waste a whole roll: simply expose one frame and process that. It if probably better than you expected. - David Lyga

 

[Anon Ymous]

This just looks too nice to waste it, so keep it as is. It's probably some kind of universal developer. You can probably make something similar if you have raw chemicals.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Keep it as a memento mori of a dying analog industry.

 

[Kawaiithulhu]

Metol Quinol goes back to early 1900, and is kind of like D76. Personally I wouldn't mess with the stuff because at this point the quality of the packaging is worth way more historically than any contents, which are common powders.

But then I'm a big fan of ephemera, so I'm biased

 

[guyver]

Thanks for your input.
I'll open one up , process film and print with it.
Then I'll replace the powder with starch or something and shelf it. Keep you posted!

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Any potential collectable loses most of its desirability/value once the packaging is opened. What would you gain by using it?

 

[guyver]

...Just curious. Can I buy the same developer today? Will it have the same ingredients in the same proportions? I doubt it. Take Rodinal for example. The formula has been changed over and over through the years. Will Rodinal from Agfa match Rodinal from another era from a different company. I doubt it.
As for my 3$ investment well... I can't see how those two tubes of developer be worth anything more in 20 years from now.
If you collect that kind of stuff just pay for shipping and and my 3$ , i'll mail it to you.
The vendor has more antique photo chemicals btw, if anyone has a wish list I'm going back next week. I remember seeing toners.

 

[Ian Grant]

...Just curious. Can I buy the same developer today? Will it have the same ingredients in the same proportions? I doubt it. Take Rodinal for example. The formula has been changed over and over through the years. Will Rodinal from Agfa match Rodinal from another era from a different company. I doubt it.
As for my 3$ investment well... I can't see how those two tubes of developer be worth anything more in 20 years from now.
If you collect that kind of stuff just pay for shipping and and my 3$ , i'll mail it to you.
The vendor has more antique photo chemicals btw, if anyone has a wish list I'm going back next week

Yes you can buy the same or very similar developer today, its nothing special, the formulae are published.

Your $3 investment in that condition is worth far more as it is. In poor condition it might be worth trying but why it's really nothing special all Companies made MQ developer.

Ian

 

[Gerald C Koch]

The collectables market can be quite remarkable. I remember a highboy chest of drawers made around 1760. It would have been worth around $100,000. But the owner had it refinished which reduced its value to under $10,000! Collectors like to see that black, gummy original finish on a piece. Have an old collectable toy? It's worth two to three times as much if you also have the original box in any condition.

 

[Down Under]

I recall using this potion in my home darkroom as a high school student in the early '60s. It was, IIRC, nothing special.

MQ developers were formulated for amateur emulsions of their time (1920s-1950s) and were quite powerful. Lots of high contrast. Generally unprintable negatives in modern day enlargers. Essentially for contact printing.

I also think Agfa Ansco was a Second World War government asset takeover of the German company in the USA. In which case your pack is most likely 1940s, and if in good condition (cosmetically), may be highly collectable.

Take Gerald Koch's good advice and treat it as an antique. Not being a collector, me, I would pass it, in this case Ebay will be your best friend. I recently got A$35 for a long outdated 120 roll of Verichrome (pre Pan) in original packaging, from a collector who didn't have it in his collection. Multiply $3 by 10 and see if any collector fish nibble at your bait.

 

[guyver]

I do my fair share of buying/using/selling.
Like Ozmoose - my rule of thumb - if it's not worth at least 10 times what I'm paying for it i pass unless I'm buying a keeper.
Managed to furnish a well equipped darkroom, a dozen cameras, two dozen lenses and supplement our income following this rule. Most importantly, my wife tolerates this. As long as there's more money coming in than going out.

As for the developer. well...
I shelved it.
Thanks everyone

 

[Arklatexian]

Metol Quinol goes back to early 1900, and is kind of like D76. Personally I wouldn't mess with the stuff because at this point the quality of the packaging is worth way more historically than any contents, which are common powders.

But then I'm a big fan of ephemera, so I'm biased

These MQ developers seem to all have been packaged to be "Universal" developers. This means not just film developer, not just print developer but both, While most good print developers can be diluted and used to develop film, the reverse may not be true as some film developers are no good as print developers. I would keep these in their original packages as collectors items.......Regards!