developer about to reach expiration...

[jorri]

I have a Fuji 5l kit, that will have reached its 6 weeks recommended use in about a week, and i've only processed about half the intended films. I've heard people saying they have used the developer beyond the date recommended.

My question is, should i add extra time to the developer process, and if so by how much. can anyone lend me their experience if they've tried it.

thanks.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Normally you would add time as you go anyway, so that the development time for films 5 and 6 is longer than for 3 and 4, which is longer than 1 and 2, etc. I've used Agfa developer which is a couple of weeks older than recommended, and did not add any extra time to compensate for its age, and I would recommend that you do the same.

 

[jorri]

already doing that(my kit states after 24 films before changing times and i'm still only on 3' 20"); my question was more about how old time-wise, than the amount of time's its been used.

 

[mts]

I keep a few rolls exposed with brackets of the MacBeth chart. Cut off a few frames from one of these test rolls and process it in your chemistry to verify its performance. This method is a lot better than taking a chance on failure on important film.