Any insights on the life of opened Adotech IV developer?

loccdor · Apr 10, 2024

I've been using Adotech IV to develop CMS 20 II... I have a 100ml bottle of it that I planned to use on 4 films. Have processed 2 so the bottle is half empty. Anyone know about how much time I would have to process the other 2 before I might run into issues? Stored in darkness at slightly above room temperature. Would a few months stored half-empty likely be okay? They say on the documentation it lasts 2 weeks diluted in full bottles (mine is not diluted). Thanks.

Alan9940 · Apr 10, 2024

Their technical doc on this film/developer combo states: "Since ADOTECH III, shelf life restrictions have been eliminated. ADOTECH IV now lasts like a normal developer and no longer needs to be filled with water after partial usage." Anyone's guess what a "normal developer" is, but it sounds like the concentrate might last 6 - 12 months.

loccdor · Apr 10, 2024

Alan9940 said:
Their technical doc on this film/developer combo states: "Since ADOTECH III, shelf life restrictions have been eliminated. ADOTECH IV now lasts like a normal developer and no longer needs to be filled with water after partial usage." Anyone's guess what a "normal developer" is, but it sounds like the concentrate might last 6 - 12 months.

Thank you, I missed that. That is encouraging.

Ballinderry-Michael · Apr 10, 2024

I put a blip of Protectan in through the hole (a bit tricky) and have had more than a year with no problems.

Pioneer · Apr 10, 2024

Mine has been open for well over a year and I developed my 2nd roll a week or two ago. I worked fine. The tech sheet really doesn't give a time limit on the newer version.

Not sure where I heard it so don't take it as gospel but I was under the impression the developer would last at least 24 months if stored at room temp.

I guess we could send a note to Mirko Boeddekker (hope I spelled that right) and see if he has any insight.

250swb · Apr 10, 2024

It's a good question. I recently got a new bottle as backup. But also have an opened bottle with one films worth gone from about six months ago. As with the swings and roundabouts of how you use film and it's not always within a tight timeframe I'm just going on 'does it look discoloured', which so far is no.

Alan9940 · Apr 10, 2024

Pioneer said:
Not sure where I heard it so don't take it as gospel but I was under the impression the developer would last at least 24 months if stored at room temp.

This may be for the unopened concentrate?

Pioneer · Apr 10, 2024

Alan9940 said:
This may be for the unopened concentrate?

I do agree. That is a reasonable assumption but it doesn't say that. It does say that it is no longer necessary to refill the bottle any longer as you used to do for the previous versions of Adotech so, to me, it appears that the shelf life is the same whether the bottle has been opened or not. I have used that assumption in the past and the developer has always worked but I have never tried anything older than 18 months so far, open or not.

Again, this is only my own experience and my storage conditions may differ from yours so YMMV.

pentaxuser · Apr 11, 2024

I imagine #4 is a pretty reliable guide. Protectan or some inert heavier than air gas is worthwhile and does work in my opinion

pentaxuser

DeletedAcct1 · Apr 11, 2024

Alan9940 said:
Their technical doc on this film/developer combo states: "Since ADOTECH III, shelf life restrictions have been eliminated. ADOTECH IV now lasts like a normal developer and no longer needs to be filled with water after partial usage." Anyone's guess what a "normal developer" is, but it sounds like the concentrate might last 6 - 12 months.

"filled with water" what the heck is that?

Alan9940 · Apr 11, 2024

Alessandro Serrao said:
"filled with water" what the heck is that?

Prior to the most recent version of this developer, you were instructed to replace the amount of developer concentrate used with distilled water. I'm guessing the reason was to keep the bottle full to mitigate oxidation or other air-induced bad things. It's been a long time since I used the first version, but I think you had to adjust development time with subsequent rolls due to the "thinning" of the concentrate. Honestly, it was a PITA and I'm glad version 4 doesn't require it.

DeletedAcct1 · Apr 11, 2024

Alan9940 said:
Prior to the most recent version of this developer, you were instructed to replace the amount of developer concentrate used with distilled water. I'm guessing the reason was to keep the bottle full to mitigate oxidation or other air-induced bad things. It's been a long time since I used the first version, but I think you had to adjust development time with subsequent rolls due to the "thinning" of the concentrate. Honestly, it was a PITA and I'm glad version 4 doesn't require it.

It is, indeed. And the water diluition throws off all kind of tests to find the proper development time. It's ridiculous.
Plus, Tetenal "invented" Protectan for a reason.

loccdor · Sep 14, 2024

It's now 5 months since I used half the 100ml Adotech bottle. This is what it looks like now:

I can't remember if it was less dark when it was full. There are no crystals. But I am going to shoot more CMS 20 II today and try developing it again with this stuff. Hopefully it is still good. I'll try ISO 6 on a tripod with mirror lock up and use the reciprocity data provided by kind forum members in the thread here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/reciprocity-for-adox-cms-20-ii.184938/

loccdor · Sep 15, 2024

It's successfully developed the film and the negatives look about the same as with the fresh stuff. There were a very tiny amount of crystals in the bottle, total was the size of less than a grain of rice, which wouldn't mix back in. It did not seem to harm anything.

Well, that will probably be my last develop of this discontinued film. Glad the developer held out.

Any insights on the life of opened Adotech IV developer?

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