Colour of D76?

[Rob Archer]

I've just mixed a tin of D76. I've never used it before but I understand it's identical to ID11, which is my 'standard' dev. The D76 is very yellow, whereas ID11 is virtually clear when first mixed. The tin's been sitting around in my darkroom for a few years, but obviously sealed. It doesn't have a 'use-by' date. The point is - is it likely to be OK or is the yellow a sign of oxidisation. I'd try it on an unimportant film, but even unimportant films might have the odd good shot!

Rob

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I've just mixed a tin of D76. I've never used it before but I understand it's identical to ID11, which is my 'standard' dev. The D76 is very yellow, whereas ID11 is virtually clear when first mixed. The tin's been sitting around in my darkroom for a few years, but obviously sealed. It doesn't have a 'use-by' date. The point is - is it likely to be OK or is the yellow a sign of oxidisation. I'd try it on an unimportant film, but even unimportant films might have the odd good shot!

Rob

It should be quite neutral. What is the date or number on the bottom of the tin?

 

[jim appleyard]

I don't know when Kodak stopped selling D-76 in tins, but I've been in b/w photography for almost 30 years and I've never seen a tin for sale in a store. I've seen it in the sealed paper and now plastic bags. I imagine your tin is quite old and that is probably accounting for the color.

I've used old tins of devs before and they are useable, but to play it safe, I wouldn't do anything important in it.

 

[eatfrog]

I have seen d76 in tins very recently, in fact i have one left in my storage with a bestbefore date that just went out a month ago.

Actually, I don't think they have even stopped making it in tins.

 

[jim appleyard]

Perhaps tins were discontinued for the US market only? I have never seen one on a shelf here.

 

[pnance]

While inexperienced with D-76, I have used Microdol-X Replenisher (not available anymore) in the bags and tins. Old bags do not keep! The bag had a lot of large black crystals, and the mixture was black also. On the other hand, the older stuff in tins was still in prime condition. I am currently using it. I have tossed my stock of bags. I still have another tin to go.