Does Rodinal Literally Last Forever...

[p3200TMZ]

I was digging through my stuff in the basement and unearthed a 500ml bottle of Rodinal that must be from 2001 or early 2002. It had been opened, but was still 3/4 full. As I was getting ready to develop a roll of Efke KB100 pushed to 200, at the last minute I decided to take a chance with this old Rodinal since it was just a roll of snapshots around the place.

The Rodinal was as brown as mud, but the negatives came out looking gorgeous. The film is hanging to dry, so hopefully in an hour or two I can have a close look on the lightbox with the loupe.

How old is your Rodinal?

 

[jimgalli]

I'm just finishing up a 1971 bottle. It came with a Calumet 8X10 outfit I bought in order to get the Ries Tripod. It may even be older but I got a few receipts like for the camera and tripod and lens and they were 1971 so that's my guess. It's the glass bottle with the black rubber stopper cork that you stick a syringe into for measuring it out. Good as gold. It's gotten some solids in there that plug up the syringe sometimes. It was over 3/4 full when I got it.

 

[edtbjon]

Nothing close to mr. Galli, but the one I'm using occationally at the moment is from the mid -80'ies. Dark brown but it does its job without complaining.
I read a thread here not to long ago where this topic was discussed and someone came up with the signs of how to tell a really sick bottle of Rodinal. Just do a search.

//Björn

 

[jim appleyard]

I recently finished a bottle of Rodinal and like Jim's, it was glass and had the rubber stopper. No problems, worked fine.

I don't know about forever, but Rodinal lasting for decades is not unheard of.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Welcome to APUG, and if you search through the archives you'll find many a similar tale about Rodinal. I have a big stash of it but personally the oldest I've used is probably only two or three years old, however, the reason I have a big stash is because of what I continue to read here about its longevity. Thanks for your story, and welcome again.

 

[Ian Tindale]

Does Rodinal Literally Last Forever...

We don't know yet.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

We don't know yet.

Good point, but would you be happy with 20 or 30 years? I would.

 

[mario Ag+]

It lasts a really long time! Even when its dark and crystally it still works!

 

[Lee L]

Rodinal was first formulated in 1891, only 117 years ago, so we don't really know yet how long it will last. The fact that people get impatient and use up their bottles in only 30-40 years also limits our knowledge.

Lee

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you can get three Christmases on one roll of film, a 4 oz. bottle should be a lifetime supply.

 

[p3200TMZ]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Mr. Galli's bottle of Rodinal makes my Rodinal look positively brand new! To Mr. Galli himself, my wife no longer allows me to visit your web-site, since each time I do I want a larger format camera or another brass fitted lens. But I will agree with my wife that your work is stunning.

Now back to Rodinal, are there particular vintages of Rodinal that are preferred? And is there a preferred method of cellaring?

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Cellaring?? I keep my 1960's amber glass bottle of Rodinal on a shelf in my darkroom around 22C.

I keep my Stock A Pyrocat - P (P for P-aminophenol) in an amber glass bottle on a shelf in my darkroom around 22C. (I mixed it in 2007 - in Propylene Glycol - NO WATER).

 

[Jim Bradley]

... It's gotten some solids in there that plug up the syringe sometimes...

My 6-7 year old vintage has also "seperated". Should one stir or shake?

JGB