Dark brown D-76

[karthik]

Hi,

I mixed up an unopened packet of D-75 (expiry 2005) and got a dark brown stock solution. I assume this means the metol has oxidized. Maybe the package wasn't really impermeable - it was the older "paper" type, not the glossy "plastic" ones I've seen in stores recently. I'll probably try developing a short roll anyway to see what happens but don't want to use it for anything important.

I'm sure people have experimented with D-76 like this - is there any chance it would work?

--- RK

 

[nickandre]

It probably will work. If it's opaque black then it's most likely cooked. It may work more slowly/develop differently, but you will most likely get images.

If you want to test, take the very leader of the film and toss it in the developer pitcher while you're tempering. After a few minutes, you should notice it get darker.

 

[richard ide]

If you want to take a chance go ahead. Just keep in mind that if it does not work, you need to reshoot more film if you can. When you consider the time and effort that goes in to your photography; the chemistry is the cheapest part. I always discard chemistry well before it may be suspect.

 

[nworth]

I assume you are talking about D-76, although the text of your note says D-75 (which I don't think was ever available in packaged form).

It may kind of work, but I doubt that it will be up to specifications. Brown color usually means exhausted developer, and brown developer also often causes stains. Dry powder usually lasts pretty well as long as it doesn't get damp. Your problem may be contamination, which might cause oxidation.

 

[Pinholemaster]

NO

Don't be cheap. Buy new D-76. Unless of course the film you plan on processing isn't worth a thing, nor is your time valuable.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Adding a couple tablespoons/qt of S. Carbonate may help it along a bit. This was a standard trick in the old days to revive dead smelly Dektol in emergency situations - pictures from war-zones and such. No guarantee.

Better to just buy another packet of developer - why ruin a roll of film and all the time and effort that went in to exposing it?

 

[karthik]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Given that I have several rolls of good shooting to be developed, it makes no sense to waste time on it right now.

But I'll probably save some of it to experiment later with the sodium carbonate method.