D-19, Dektol and Microdol-X, Oh My!

John Galt · Jul 10, 2017

I have a metric crapload of old D-19, Microdol-X and Dektol powders I acquired with some old darkroom stuff. All powders, in cans and paper bags, been stored right. Mostly from the 1960s. The cans are from the 1950s (have receipts), the bags from the 1970s (I think).

I have always used D-76 because . . . . it's D-76 I like it, it works, never had any problems with it. In fact it is all I have ever used.

I hate to let it go to waste. What can I expect from these?

Words of wisdom and experience from the experts here??

GregW · Jul 10, 2017

I've been using some old D-19 from a foil pouch that works great. I'm using it 1:1. It's got a lot of punch. I like it. I've also used old Microdol X and the previous iteration Microdol. both worked fine. One was an old bottle from the 1950s and the other only slightly more recent from a can. I say use em and enjoy.

John Wiegerink · Jul 10, 2017

If the cans are not rust-ridden and Holy you should have no problem using them. I have used Microdol from a can that I know was made just after man learned how to make fire by rubbing two sticks. Worked just fine!

Photo Engineer · Jul 10, 2017

In Rivendell, can't you just get Gandalf to zap it for you and make it good?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

PE

John Galt · Jul 10, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
In Rivendell, can't you just get Gandalf to zap it for you and make it good?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

PE

Ha Ha!! You would think so but Gandalf has been partaking of the Longbottom Leaf or Old Toby and is presently indisposed . . . NTTAWWT

Photo Engineer · Jul 10, 2017

fdonadio · Jul 10, 2017

John Galt said:
I hate to let it go to waste.

I can help you with that!

I use D-76 too, not because I prefer it, but mostly because I have only used that and there aren't many options here.

I would love to try Microdol-X.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 11, 2017

ah....that Microdol-X is special stuff: take your favorite slow film, give it a whole full extra stop of light and let that mercapto etch its magic. Lovely

John Galt · Jul 11, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
IGU!

We are almost neighbors Photo Engineer . . . I live near Vernon a couple+ hours east of you.

John Galt · Jul 11, 2017

RidingWaves said:
ah....that Microdol-X is special stuff: take your favorite slow film, give it a whole full extra stop of light and let that mercapto etch its magic. Lovely

I am going to try that RidingWaves . . .

guangong · Jul 11, 2017

I have only used D19 in reversal processing for b/w movie film. Make it myself since no longer available from Kodak. I am now curious about how to use it and results for normal film photography and would like to read more responses from APUG.

GregW · Jul 11, 2017

I've recently used it with some Royal Pan from 1996, shot at 400 asa and developed for 11 minutes in D-19 1:1. In fact I have a few sheets I'm going to do tomorrow morning.

Werewolfman · Dec 10, 2017

Try diluting your D-19 1:3 and follow times used for full strength D-76. Process 10 rolls per quart at this dilution and discard. I got magnificent results!

Punker · Dec 10, 2017

RidingWaves said:
ah....that Microdol-X is special stuff:

I know Kodak stopped making it years ago but were you aware that Legacy makes a clone of it? It’s called simply Mic-X. My buddy who swears by it gave me a bag that I’ve had for over a year and still have yet to mix. I keep hearing wonderful things though.

Gerald C Koch · Dec 10, 2017

I have a case of DK-50 that I bought as WWII surplus. I still open a can ocasionally It is still fine.

Christiaan Phleger · Dec 12, 2017

Yep I am aware of the Legacy Pro version but I've not been able to confirm the inclusion of the Mysterious Component X which made the Kodak Microdol-X do it's thing. I'll get around to testing them side by side perhaps in the new year....

Colin Corneau · Dec 12, 2017

Timely thread, I found a sealed packet of Microdol-X (along with a pair of Selectol Soft paper developer packets) and am not quite sure what to do with it...helloooo Pan-F+ !!

trendland · Dec 17, 2017

RidingWaves said:
Yep I am aware of the Legacy Pro version but I've not been able to confirm the inclusion of the Mysterious Component X which made the Kodak Microdol-X do it's thing. I'll get around to testing them side by side perhaps in the new year....

There is an easy test for - to find out : Try Legacy version with simple test frames/ use the homebrew version of microdol x with same frames - find out the difference.Then compare with perceptol original Ilford developer. I would speculate you will find no difference.
At last use the cheapest method.
with regards
PS : Microdol x is not well published - Kodak changed some intrigents over the years.But to me D23 should be in the near.

Photo Engineer · Dec 17, 2017

Microdol and Microdol-X do indeed have a secret ingredient. Dick Henn personally described this to me.

PE

Werewolfman · Feb 15, 2018

John Galt said:
I have a metric crapload of old D-19, Microdol-X and Dektol powders I acquired with some old darkroom stuff. All powders, in cans and paper bags, been stored right. Mostly from the 1960s. The cans are from the 1950s (have receipts), the bags from the 1970s (I think).

I have always used D-76 because . . . . it's D-76 I like it, it works, never had any problems with it. In fact it is all I have ever used.

I hate to let it go to waste. What can I expect from these?

Are you selling any of that stuff? I'm interested

John Galt · Feb 28, 2018

Photo Engineer said:
Microdol and Microdol-X do indeed have a secret ingredient. Dick Henn personally described this to me.

PE

Ohh . . . PE . . . now you have to tell.

John Galt · Feb 28, 2018

Werewolfman said:
Are you selling any of that stuff? I'm interested

No, sorry :/

Photo Engineer · Feb 28, 2018

John Galt said:
Ohh . . . PE . . . now you have to tell.

No I don't.

PE

John Galt · Mar 1, 2018

Photo Engineer said:
No I don't.

PE

LOL!

mshchem · Mar 2, 2018

I have several small quart cans of Microdol-X that are family heirlooms, over 50 years old. I can't open those. I remember as a kid outfitting my first cardboard walled darkroom with a very old 29 cent can opener. Use them, or they are wonderful to set on a shelf .

D-19, Dektol and Microdol-X, Oh My!

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