Developer shelf life

[FredRose]

Greetings,

My local shop has two year old d76 and dektol packages on the shelf. What's the shelf life of these developers?

Thanks in advance,
Fred

 

[Mike Wilde]

It can be quite a while, but packaging dependant. The paper over foil ones last usually five years easily; the plastic ones I don't have long term effects on yet, but I would bet 4 years. Steel cans of the stuff lasts more than 20 year.

Give it a try. The Dektol, a print developer, can just have the print left in a bit longer if it is loosing a bit of its as young energy. Yuou may have to print a half a grade harder though, if you are talking like 3-4 minutes for maximum black at 1:2 dilution. If so, then just use it 1:1.5 to strengthen the mix.

D76, a film developer, may need some tweking of devloping times if it mixes up as anything darker than weak tea. Used 1:1 one shot is my way, and the worst I have ever done is go 20% more than recommended, but then usually for low contrast of the film's subject matter lighting, rather than pooped out developer.

Hope this help.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I have some cans of Kodak DK-50 that are more than 50 years old. Whenever I open one the contents are just fine like they were manufactured yesterday. The cans were sealed under nitrogen and nothing short of using a blowtorch will effect them.

 

[BetterSense]

The papery developer packets don't last forever. Every one I've gotten in old darkroom kits has been ruined (coffee-colored). The newer foily/mylar ones probably last a lot longer (and are newer at any rate).

 

[vedmak]

I've gotten some 10 year old dektol stored in the basement, which was fine, I would say if there is no color changes to the powder give it a try.

 

[FredRose]

Thank you all for your replies.