Ektalure Shelf Life

[Alex Hawley]

Recently acquired a couple packages of the fabled Kodak Ektalure. One package is dated 01/87, the other one is 03/80. Any chance the paper will still be alive? Think its been stored at room temperature, no refrigeration.

 

[sun of sand]

Have from early and later 70's never cold-stored and has no fog at all. Much better than other papers I have that are slower.

 

[donbga]

Recently acquired a couple packages of the fabled Kodak Ektalure. One package is dated 01/87, the other one is 03/80. Any chance the paper will still be alive? Think its been stored at room temperature, no refrigeration.

I'll bet it's still good.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

If it has "some" age fog, you can still salvage it by using Anti-fog (Benzotriazole) in your developer. Edwal Liquid Orthazite is another name for this restrainer.

 

[Alex Hawley]

IT WORKED!!!

Dang, if it didn't work and work well!

I used the 1980 package, which had been opened, and was wrapped in the old-style paper packaging material. The paper worked perfectly. No fog, speed was about equal to current fresh papers. Developed in PF 130, 1:2. Remarkable!

 

[David Brown]

Hmmm ... I found three unopened 10 sheet packs of 11x14 Kodak (various "poly"s) yesterday, and almost threw them out. No idea how old they are, except they are probably from the 1990s. I guess I can at least try them.

(edit):
Polycontrast III RC
PolyMax RC
PolyMax Fine-Art ("process before 02/02")

 

[Alex Hawley]

Hey David, thanks for reminding me something. I went ahead and posted my (there was a url link here which no longer exists) and dedicated it to the Texas Church Gang. Thanks!

 

[jfish]

If it has "some" age fog, you can still salvage it by using Anti-fog (Benzotriazole) in your developer. Edwal Liquid Orthazite is another name for this restrainer.

One problem with using that is that it will tend to go more neutral/cold and take away some of the warmth of the paper.