Ilford ID-11+ Developer Color

I used to use ID-11+ back in the day, but for the last 10 years I've been using D-76 or Rodinal. I recently decided to mix some Ilford ID-11+ that I bought in the last year or so.

When I opened PART A it was reddish brown and mixed up like fresh Rodinal in color. On the packaging, it says that ID-11+ stays fresh in unopened packaging indefinitely. Yet, I've seen dry D-76 and Dektol look the same way as they expired.

Not wanting to risk it, I disposed of the ID-11+ and went back to D76. So what I am asking is if you've used it, is this color normal or is the powder PART A white like D76?

Lanline said:

I used to use ID-11+ back in the day, but for the last 10 years I've been using D-76 or Rodinal. I recently decided to mix some Ilford ID-11+ that I bought in the last year or so.

When I opened PART A it was reddish brown and mixed up like fresh Rodinal in color. On the packaging, it says that ID-11+ stays fresh in unopened packaging indefinitely. Yet, I've seen dry D-76 and Dektol look the same way as they expired.

Not wanting to risk it, I disposed of the ID-11+ and went back to D76. So what I am asking is if you've used it, is this color normal or is the powder PART A white like D76?

Click to expand...

I think you should have at least tested it, since you threw it away the color is irrelevant as you didn't check to see if it was good or not, a lost opportunity to learn something.

ID-11 and D-76 are nearly identical in every aspect. I think you did the right thing by not chancing it. It should be clear to very light straw colored to be good. I always toss D-76 out when it gets darker, experience sez 'no good'.

Rick, thanks. Yes, I have no interest in developers that are brown (with the exception of Rodinal).

Lanline said:

When I opened PART A it was reddish brown and mixed up like fresh Rodinal in color.

Click to expand...

Send Ilford an email with the batch number and see what they have to say about it - A couple of years back there was a bad batch that slipped through the rigorous Quality Control, yours could be from the same batch.

I think the key here is the color of the powder. It should never be anything more than just barely off-white. What you have seen is probably a result of the bag being compromised allowing the developer to become oxidized. If the expiration date has not been reached then get a refund or toss it.

Back in the day when developers came in cans they lasted for decades. I have some Kodak DK-50 surplus from WWII that is still fine. Every once and a while I mix up a can with excellent results.

check with Ilford

Did you keep the package? I had this happen too. While the chemicals were the right color, the part A turned the water a reddish brown. This is supposed to clear with part B, but it didn't. I contacted Ilford and gave them the batch number. They checked their samples and assured me the developer was fresh and passed QC, and that the brownish tint of the mixed stock solution is due to variations in tap water. The water from the same tap will vary from day to day, season to season, due to environmental or water treatment plant issues. I was told to use distilled water if I found the tint disturbing, but that the developer should be just fine and that I should test a roll or two if I had any doubts. I did, and it worked like every other batch of ID-11 I've ever used since my first twenty some odd years ago, just fine.