hc110 ammonia smell

[TomStr]

i just developed old 120 film, they don't look good but it simply could be of their age... i noticed that when using the hc110 i smelled amonia... is that okay or is my hc110 to old? it still looks clear yellow and like syrup...

can i still use it for good 35m film?

thanks!

 

[koraks]

I've had very old film (but this was color sheet film) that did the same thing. In that case it wasn't the chemistry, but the film itself. Perhaps the same or a similar issue in your case?

 

[TomStr]

I've had very old film (but this was color sheet film) that did the same thing. In that case it wasn't the chemistry, but the film itself. Perhaps the same or a similar issue in your case?

I hope that is the case, the film was really old!! i will try it out tomorrow with a single 35mm film... thanx for your answer!

 

[AgX]

I've had very old film (but this was color sheet film) that did the same thing. In that case it wasn't the chemistry, but the film itself.

How do you explain it ?

 

[koraks]

Honestly, I don't have a clue!

 

[Donald Qualls]

I recall reading that HC-110 contains some amides (ammonia compounds), and I recall a faint ammonia scent from the working solutions, especially in Dilutions A and B (I've mostly used Dilution F, G, and H). Given it's the right color and apparently old enough to be the long-lasting version(s), I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[TomStr]

tested it out with a fresh 35mm film, no problems! verry little amonium smell. the original film was very old and quite fogged... you could barely see the image... perhaps that was the cause... thanks for anserwing everybody!

 

[john_s]

tested it out with a fresh 35mm film, no problems! verry little amonium smell. the original film was very old and quite fogged... you could barely see the image... perhaps that was the cause... thanks for anserwing everybody!

Since new film didn't cause the effect, it must have been the old film. Gelatin is protein, so is composed of amino acids, so something about the gelatin in the old film has led it to decompose.