Bad luck with Dektol packets

BetterSense · Sep 21, 2014

Twice now I have opened Dektol packets that mixed up as dark as black coffee. In each case the packets were more than a year old but were stored at room temperature. I was counting on that last packet, and am now unable to print until the Fedex guy brings me more paper developer. Instead of buying more Dektol packets, I am debating buying the chemicals to mix D72 instead, and hope that those chemicals last longer. I don't want to do that because I am lazy and I know Dektol works for me. Am I just getting unlucky? Does anyone else have problems storing Dektol? Could I help things by putting the stuff in mylar bags or something?

MattKing · Sep 21, 2014

BetterSense said:
Twice now I have opened Dektol packets that mixed up as dark as black coffee. In each case the packets were more than a year old but were stored at room temperature. I was counting on that last packet, and am now unable to print until the Fedex guy brings me more paper developer. Instead of buying more Dektol packets, I am debating buying the chemicals to mix D72 instead, and hope that those chemicals last longer. I don't want to do that because I am lazy and I know Dektol works for me. Am I just getting unlucky? Does anyone else have problems storing Dektol? Could I help things by putting the stuff in mylar bags or something?

Are they the paper packets, or the plastic ones?

BetterSense · Sep 21, 2014

This last one was a new foil packet bought from Freestyle in 2013.

Sad to hear others have had this problem. Heck, if I wasn't space-constrained, it seems like I would be safer mixing the stuff up and storing the stock solution, which seems to go forever in glass bottles.

I guess I will be buying some bromide and hydroquinone.

Mark Crabtree · Sep 21, 2014

I've had problems with very old packets, but nothing like your experience.

It is freakish how well the old cans keep - Kodak and other. I'm regularly using Dupont and GAF print developers that I assume date from the late 60's and early 70's. Unless the can is extremely rusty, they are absolutely fine. I've been putting off using my Dektol packs for some reason; it sounds like I had better mix one of those next to make sure they are still good.

adelorenzo · Sep 21, 2014

Now you have me worried, last time I stocked up I bought 10 packets.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 22, 2014

BetterSense said:
Twice now I have opened Dektol packets that mixed up as dark as black coffee. In each case the packets were more than a year old but were stored at room temperature. I was counting on that last packet, and am now unable to print until the Fedex guy brings me more paper developer. Instead of buying more Dektol packets, I am debating buying the chemicals to mix D72 instead, and hope that those chemicals last longer. I don't want to do that because I am lazy and I know Dektol works for me. Am I just getting unlucky? Does anyone else have problems storing Dektol? Could I help things by putting the stuff in mylar bags or something?

Mix it yourself from raw chemicals.It's funandyou'll always have fresh Dektol.risk the jump.it's not hard at all.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 22, 2014

Mark Crabtree said:
I've had problems with very old packets, but nothing like your experience.

It is freakish how well the old cans keep - Kodak and other. I'm regularly using Dupont and GAF print developers that I assume date from the late 60's and early 70's. Unless the can is extremely rusty, they are absolutely fine. I've been putting off using my Dektol packs for some reason; it sounds like I had better mix one of those next to make sure they are still good.

me toobut as somebody already said,the cans were bestLuckelyhome-made Dektol is easy to mix and thereare many other good paper developers available.

BetterSense · Sep 22, 2014

Dektol is the same thing as D72, right?

MattKing · Sep 22, 2014

Which brings rise to the more general question - is there any chance that the packages were punctured either before you got them or while you stored them?

David Brown · Sep 22, 2014

MattKing said:
Which brings rise to the more general question - is there any chance that the packages were punctured either before you got them or while you stored them?

In 45 years of using Dektol, which includes all the years of both paper and plastic packets, I've never had this problem. I would guess that you got some damaged merchandise. But, what do I know?

Rick A · Sep 22, 2014

Switch to Ethol LPD powder, it comes in cans to mix one gallon, and after mixing lasts far longer than Dektol. The initial price is higher, but is more economical with actual use.

dpurdy · Sep 22, 2014

Mixing your own paper developer is so easy I don't know why anyone buys prepackaged. I buy most my developing agents, hydroquinone and Metol from Photographers Formulary as well as Potassium Bromide. You can find cheaper sources most locales for sodium carbonate and sodium sulfite. Each chemical in it's separate package lasts years in my experience. Mixing paper developer doesn't need to be incredibly precise. I use cheap scales for paper developer and my good scales for film or platinum chemistry. Tons of formulas on line. Mix only the quantity you need for a session.. no waste.
Dennis

mopar_guy · Sep 22, 2014

I like this one:

http://stores.photoformulary.com/130-paper-developer/

JackRosa · Sep 22, 2014

+1 on PD-130

mopar_guy said:
I like this one:

http://stores.photoformulary.com/130-paper-developer/

+1

PD-130 (1+1) works great. A pain in th neck to mix the stock solution, but it lasts forever and the results are great. It also works very well as a film devloper (1+10) - I just discovered this very recently (thanks to the help & insight from fellow APUGers)

dpurdy · Sep 22, 2014

JackRosa said:
+1

PD-130 (1+1) works great. A pain in th neck to mix the stock solution, but it lasts forever and the results are great. It also works very well as a film devloper (1+10) - I just discovered this very recently (thanks to the help & insight from fellow APUGers)

completely false. It is easy to mix up from scratch. What is the pain in YA?

OzJohn · Sep 22, 2014

David Brown said:
In 45 years of using Dektol, which includes all the years of both paper and plastic packets, I've never had this problem. I would guess that you got some damaged merchandise. But, what do I know?

About that long ago when I first used first used Dektol and I gave up on it around 15 years ago for exactly the reason that prompted this thread. Not just one packet nor every one either. I also had the problem to a lesser extent with XTol. I switched to developers in packets from other manufacturers and never saw the problem again. I have no doubt that it is somehow caused by the ingress of air but my experience sort of gives the lie to the packets having been been damaged on the shop floor because I purchased all brands from the same sources. OzJohn

David Brown · Sep 23, 2014

OzJohn said:
I have no doubt that it is somehow caused by the ingress of air but my experience sort of gives the lie to the packets having been been damaged on the shop floor because I purchased all brands from the same sources. OzJohn

I don't understand whether we are agreeing or disagreeing.

My post said nothing about where any damage or contamination may have occurred. Do you not agree that what you saw and what Bettersense has experienced is due to damaged or faulty goods? What is your best guess?

And, we're all speculating here ...

Bad luck with Dektol packets

BetterSense

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Bad luck with Dektol packets

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