Expired Fomadon LQN - What would you do?

[Daniela]

Hi everyone,
today, I bought two bottles of Fomadon LQN because it was available and I needed developer fast. Once home, I realize that the expiration date on it is December 31, 2023, which was not mentioned in the site that I bought it from. This wasn't mentioned by the store employee when I picked it up either. Would you return it? Would it be ok to use for a couple of extra months after the expiration date?
Side note: I seem to have bought their last two bottles because it now shows up as "not on stock" on the site
Thanks!

 

[cliveh]

I take it this is liquid developer. If kept in a air tight bottle it should be fine.

 

[Ian Grant]

You are doomed, commit Harri Kari.

It's not useless give it to someone here who will use it was intended

These dates are meaningless, they are about ISO 9002 stock control to ensure we as customer get relatively fresh materials. but that's often way less than the materials will still be 100% usable.

Ian

 

[Michael Howard]

Daniela, it should be fine if unopened. As older stock, the only problem you may run into is longevity after opening. It may decline at a faster rate. I would plan a big session or 3 and use it all up. I would not be surprised if an unopened bottle like that is still good even in another 6 months.

 

[Daniela]

I take it this is liquid developer. If kept in a air tight bottle it should be fine.

It is indeed liquid and sealed. Gracias!

You are doomed, commit Harri Kari.

It's not useless give it to someone here who will use it was intended

These dates are meaningless, they are about ISO 9002 stock control to ensure we as customer get relatively fresh materials. but that's often way less than the materials will still be 100% usable.

Ian

Hari kari seems a bit too extreme. I might as well just drink the fomadon since it's right here!

Daniela, it should be fine if unopened. As older stock, the only problem you may run into is longevity after opening. It may decline at a faster rate. I would plan a big session or 3 and use it all up. I would not be surprised if an unopened bottle like that is still good even in another 6 months.

Merci!

 

[Ian Grant]

It will be as good as new.

Ian

 

[MattKing]

I'd pay closer attention to the physical integrity of the container than the date printed on it.

 

[Daniela]

I'd pay closer attention to the physical integrity of the container than the date printed on it.

The containers seem intact, even if they always look like this

Not a straight edge in sight! LOL

 

[cmacd123]

the date is suposed to ensure that when you use it, it will work perfect. It likely will not sudenly turn into a pumpkin at Midnight on new years. if it still looks OK, it is probably OK, you can always try developing a snip of film leader to be sure.

 

[foc]

Can you let us know how you get on and if you are happy with the developing results, please?

I always thought Fomadon LQN had simple developing times, most 100 speed were 7-8 minutes @20C and most 400 speed were 9-10 mins @20C. It would be interesting to hear your opinion.

 

[albireo]

Can you let us know how you get on and if you are happy with the developing results, please?

Hi @foc - sorry, not OP but I use LQN a lot - it gives excellent results with Foma 200 and 400 IME. It can be used 1+14 too, which allows for slightly more relaxed developing times.

My only issue with it is that once the bottle is open, without any special precautions (eg gassing, marbles) it goes bad in approx 3 months.

 

[miha]

Hi @foc

My only issue with it is that once the bottle is open, without any special precautions (eg gassing, marbles) it goes bad in approx 3 months.

Can't you squeeze the bottle enough so the solution reaches the brim after every use?

 

[DareFail]

It will be as good as new.

Ian

I used to use Fomadon LQR for reversal process.
The developer was factory sealed, 1 month before the expiration date on the bottle.
Always the same process for 10 minutes at 20 degrees.
It seemed that i needed 10 more minutes to get good results. Weak developer.

 

[albireo]

Can't you squeeze the bottle enough so the solution reaches the brim after every use?

Sounds like a good idea!

 

[Daniela]

It seemed that i needed 10 more minutes to get good results. Weak developer.

I've used LQN a lot and always gotten ok results; but the two Kentmere 400 rolls I developed last night were so thin...just getting readable enough contact sheets was a hassle. I was able to print a couple of shots just fine, but I need to readjust the time, for sure. How do you go about calculating how much extra time to give? I had details in shadows and highlights, but I need/want more density and contrast (funny that I didn't buy LQR because it mentioned increased contrast).

 

[miha]

I wouldn't use this developer any any longer, it will only get worse I'm afraid.

 

[Daniela]

I wouldn't use this developer any any longer, it will only get worse I'm afraid.

Really? I tested a bit of film beforehand and it did fully blacken in the developing time...dang it. I bought two bottles of the thing.

 

[foc]

Hi @foc - sorry, not OP but I use LQN a lot - it gives excellent results with Foma 200 and 400 IME. It can be used 1+14 too, which allows for slightly more relaxed developing times.

My only issue with it is that once the bottle is open, without any special precautions (eg gassing, marbles) it goes bad in approx 3 months.

Thank you for your reply. When using the 1+14 what sort of times for 100 speed and 400 speed?

 

[albireo]

Thank you for your reply. When using the 1+14 what sort of times for 100 speed and 400 speed?

I'd start from the guidelines in the Foma catalogue and adjust based on desired constrast/final output etc

https://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue_bw_photo_materials_and_developing_information

Page 5

It's a 1.3X correction on the 1:10 times essentially.

 

[DareFail]

I've used LQN a lot and always gotten ok results; but the two Kentmere 400 rolls I developed last night were so thin...just getting readable enough contact sheets was a hassle. I was able to print a couple of shots just fine, but I need to readjust the time, for sure. How do you go about calculating how much extra time to give? I had details in shadows and highlights, but I need/want more density and contrast (funny that I didn't buy LQR because it mentioned increased contrast).

I think it is trial and error situation. Or you may develop it through inspection.
In my case it was easy to just get a good positive image to my taste. I don't have a densitometer.

 

[Daniela]

I think it is trial and error situation. Or you may develop it through inspection.
In my case it was easy to just get a good positive image to my taste. I don't have a densitometer.

Oh, yes, that's how I look at it too. It's about printable-enough negatives I don't have nor care to have any gadgets to examine things so carefully. I have decided that since I make my own rolls, I'll do tests with a few frames by increasing the developing time and see what I get. I'll probably end up going back to ID-11 afterwards.

 

[foc]

I'd start from the guidelines in the Foma catalogue and adjust based on desired constrast/final output etc

https://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue_bw_photo_materials_and_developing_information

Page 5

It's a 1.3X correction on the 1:10 times essentially.

Thank you for the detailed reply, much appreciated.

 

[Sanug]

Fomadon LQN changes the color and becomes yellowish when too old. Fresh LQN is almost clear. The contrast decreases dramatically as soon as the color changed. I recommend to discard the developer as soon as it changes the color.

 

[Daniela]

Fomadon LQN changes the color and becomes yellowish when too old. Fresh LQN is almost clear. The contrast decreases dramatically as soon as the color changed. I recommend to discard the developer as soon as it changes the color.

Thank you for this information. The open bottle has already turned yellow, the unopened one is still clear. I'll use that one for the tests...hopefully I'll get to that this week!

 

[Daniela]

Just a little update:
while I wait for new developer, I decided to keep using the LQN and increase the development time by 30%. What a difference that made! Even if the negatives don't look nearly as pretty (solid and contrasty) as with ID-11, they were simple to print, so that works for me!