Expired Microdol-X, is it still useable?

[TomTX]

Hello, I have two tin cans of Kodak Microdol-X Pro powder which I bought in the late 1990s from Prophot in Paris, made in France. I strongly suspect that even though sealed for all this time, the metol will have lost its power by now. However, I am always interested to know what other people think, so if you have experience of developers this old, please let me know. Thank you.

 

[lamerko]

Sometimes these things have a surprisingly long life, especially sealed in boxes. Don't be too quick to write it off - I think it has a good chance of working well

 

[xkaes]

Agreed. I still use 40 year old metol that is NOT in a sealed container. Do a SEARCH on this FORUM about expired Metol/Elon and you'll find that most people have the same experience as mine & lamerko (above).
If you will lose sleep over it, sell it, and buy some new stuff -- but DON'T just throw it away.

 

[darkroommike]

Hello, I have two tin cans of Kodak Microdol-X Pro powder which I bought in the late 1990s from Prophot in Paris, made in France. I strongly suspect that even though sealed for all this time, the metol will have lost its power by now. However, I am always interested to know what other people think, so if you have experience of developers this old, please let me know. Thank you.

The only "canned" developers that would concern me would be very rusty cans. Even then, I would open the can and mix the developer and then inspect the can for any rust penetration to the inside of the can. I have, so far knock wood, not found a can that was bad.

 

[mshchem]

The all steel cans free of rust are usually OK. If the can has an aluminum easy open tab these don't hold up well. As long as it's a white free flowing powder should be fine. Kodak hasn't used steel cans since the 70's.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

My stock Microdot-X is in pouches that are probably 20+ years old; they are still good. Do a clip test to verify if your is still OK.

 

[xkaes]

It does not have to be "white" to be good. Just another photographic myth that won't die.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have cans of DK 50, last one I mixed was not pure white, still worked just fine. As I recall when chemistry was sold in cans neon or other intern gas was injected to prevent oxidation.

 

[xkaes]

intern gas

I've known several interns that had a lot of gas -- and I refused to let any of them into my darkroom. I'd advise everyone to do the same -- unless you have very good ventilation system!

 

[Ian C]

My experience with old, factory-sealed powder developer is: if it’s still white, or nearly so, it’s likely still good.

Be aware that developer tends to rapidly absorb the water content of room air once you’ve opened the sealed container. That will begin degrading the developer. To prevent this, BEFORE opening the package, have enough canning jars with good seals on the lids ready to accept the powder as soon as the package is opened, and the contents examined.

If you’re satisfied with the color, immediately separate the developer among as many jars as needed and seal the lids tightly. Use a funnel to transfer the powder into the jars so that none of the crystals get onto the lip of the jar, as such particles could compromise the seal.

I recommend not bothering with weighing at this time, as you want to get the developer into the jars and sealed quickly to minimize the absorption of water vapor from the room air.

 

[MattKing]

I recommend not bothering with weighing at this time, as you want to get the developer into the jars and sealed quickly to minimize the absorption of water vapor from the room air.

You can always record the "tare" weight of the empty jars before you fill them. Then you can weigh the filled jars, subtract the tare weight, and the difference will be the weight of the contents.

 

[Disconnekt]

There was a photography channel called Attic Darkroom that used expired D-76, a 20 yo expired in a plastic bag & a 35 yo expired in a tin can and those results came out ok (to a degree), so the results for your MX may come out ok

 

[TomTX]

Agreed. I still use 40 year old metol that is NOT in a sealed container. Do a SEARCH on this FORUM about expired Metol/Elon and you'll find that most people have the same experience as mine & lamerko (above).
If you will lose sleep over it, sell it, and buy some new stuff -- but DON'T just throw it away.

thank you for the reply and no, I won't throw it away!

 

[TomTX]

There was a photography channel called Attic Darkroom that used expired D-76, a 20 yo expired in a plastic bag & a 35 yo expired in a tin can and those results came out ok (to a degree), so the results for your MX may come out ok

Thank you for this, I will watch the video!

 

[chuckroast]

I have cans of DK 50, last one I mixed was not pure white, still worked just fine. As I recall when chemistry was sold in cans neon or other intern gas was injected to prevent oxidation.

Ditto. I've never had an issue with canned developers like DK-50. However, the older paper soft packages did not withstand the test of time. The newer plastic based packaging also seems ok.

 

[igzabeher]

To echo what has been said above, I inherited a rather sizeable supply of Microdol-X of an indeterminate age, and have/am used/using it without issue.

 

[chuckroast]

See also:

Microdol X Homebrew Question

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