C41 and E6 chemicals shelf life

[EdColorado]

I've been developing my B&W since I was kid in the early 70's but am just now getting ready to try my first color processing. I may have missed it but I haven't seen anything about how long a set of blix chemicals will last in the bottle. Do I need to wait until I have enough rolls to use up the chemicals or will it sit a while. Also, does it help to keep the chemicals refrigerated?

Thanks for any insight,

 

[canvassy]

I only have experience with the Unicolor / Tetenal press kits. I keep them in the bathroom closet and they keep for quite a while once mixed. My current set of chemicals was mixed 8 months ago and they're still going strong, I've seen people on APUG here that have gotten a year out of theirs. The press kit instructions say that they're good for maybe 8 or 10 rolls or something, but I do 20 rolls out of a liter kit and 40 rolls out of the 2L kits. Others on APUG have gotten more rolls developed out of the kits but I haven't tried going that far yet.

My first kit was the 1L kit and I re-used my ilford 1L bottles and it worked out alright. I use the 2L kits now and I simply use plastic soda bottles that say PET or PETE on the bottom. I think a wider necked bottle would be better but the soda bottles work well enough.

 

[franck]

Hello!

I am also using Tetenal kits and I have been wondering how long it can be kept.
I have posted an article on my blog which has some extensive discussion on the subject and how to keep the chemistry as good as possible.
It is here: http://photo.fleurey.com/blog/developing-c-41-color-negative-film

Concerning the blix, the instructions from the Tetenal kit says that it can be kept for 6 month but only recommends keeping the developer for 6 weeks. These number are very conservative and as others have pointed out good results can be obtained even after 1 year. On my blog post you can see example negatives/pictures I got after 6 and 7 months with 2 different 1L batches.

I do not keep the chemicals refrigerated but I keep them in the basement which is between 6°C in winter and 18°C in summer. My guess (and it is only a guess) is that as long as it is not too warm (say bellow 20°C) is should not make a big difference.

Just my 2 cents

Cheers,

Franck

 

[EdColorado]

Thanks guys, and great writeup Franck. I'm going to order me some chemicals and give it a go.

 

[rowghani]

hey i use the tetenal e6 kit and find that the numbers of rolls you can do and the shelf life times in the manual to be very conservative as well. I can easily get away with double of each and probably more but i haven't tried. good luck.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Similar question to the OP question so I won't ask in a new thread. There is an ancient camera shop locally that no longer sells new camera gear, just old vintage stuff they have had forever. There is some Kodak c-41 kits on the shelf that I can get for a song. Unopened new old stock from probably 10-25 years past (prior to the digital age). Any guess if it is any good? Bought an ancient bottle of hc-110 off their shelf, no issues.

 

[sfaber17]

No, I highly doubt they will be any good.