Ilford mfg. code?

darkprints · Mar 5, 2011

Can anyone point me to info on how to decipher the manufacturing date code on Ilford papers and chemistry?

The papers are ##X###X##
The chemistry is ######

The store that I buy from has a slow turnover rate, so I'm wondering....

RalphLambrecht · Mar 5, 2011

Ilford and Kodak use a similar system. With Ilford, the first two digits represent the manufacturing month. Mar2011 carries the number '78'. Feb2011 was number '77' and so on.

But keep in mind, properly stored, photographic paper will last for many years! Also, if you are too picky, your local store may not carry paper much longer, and you are stuck with mail order!

Slixtiesix · Mar 6, 2011

We already had a discussion about this a while back. This thread goes very much into the details:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

It´s more essential however, how the paper was stored. Properly stored paper can be fine even 5 years or longer after manufacturing.
On the other hand, paper that was stored not properly might be fogged even if not older than 2 years. That´s why "best before" dates on papers do not make too much sense.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 6, 2011

I have used properly stored paper up to 10 years after manufacture. All it lost was a bit of contrast and speed.

darkprints · Mar 6, 2011

Thanks - I figured out how to decipher the paper code.

The chemistry code is more important to me - Ilford states WT developer has a shelf life of 2 years. The six digit code doesn't resemble the paper code, and if the first 2 digits are the date, I just bought a bottle made in '09.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 6, 2011

darkprints said:
Thanks - I figured out how to decipher the paper code.

The chemistry code is more important to me - Ilford states WT developer has a shelf life of 2 years. The six digit code doesn't resemble the paper code, and if the first 2 digits are the date, I just bought a bottle made in '09.

Yes, the chemistry batch codes also include the date of manufacture in the first two digits just like the paper and film codes. In addition, films are also labeled with an expiration date, which you can safely ignore if the film was refrigerated.

Ronald Moravec · Mar 6, 2011

`09, now 11. I would not have bought it.

And paper does not last multiple years, it used to. I have some Medalist exp `69. Works ok. I have 2+year old Ilford paper that has gone bad. The problem is they have added chemicals to speed aging, thus they do not have a years or more worth of paper waiting to go up for sale. Great for them. Downside is it ages just as fast on my shelf as theirs and in a year or two it is GONE.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 6, 2011

Ronald Moravec said:
... I have 2+year old Ilford paper that has gone bad. The problem is they have added chemicals to speed aging, thus they do not have a years or more worth of paper waiting to go up for sale. Great for them. Downside is it ages just as fast on my shelf as theirs and in a year or two it is GONE.

Pretty heavy accusation! What's your source?

darkprints · Mar 6, 2011

Ronald Moravec said:
`09, now 11. I would not have bought it.

If I had been able to decipher the code, I would not have bought it. This liquid developer has a shelf life, like milk, and should have an expiration date plainly visible to the consumer - then it would up to the consumer to decide whether to buy it or not.

Ian Grant · Mar 7, 2011

Ronald Moravec said:
`09, now 11. I would not have bought it.

And paper does not last multiple years, it used to. I have some Medalist exp `69. Works ok. I have 2+year old Ilford paper that has gone bad. The problem is they have added chemicals to speed aging, thus they do not have a years or more worth of paper waiting to go up for sale. Great for them. Downside is it ages just as fast on my shelf as theirs and in a year or two it is GONE.

Simply not true.

However all warm tone papers age faster than the older pre 90's versions which had Cadmium in them, but they don't go bad that fast. There will be a slight shift in image colour over 2 or 3 years.

Ian

palec · Mar 8, 2011

I've made a very simple batch number calculator to be used with iPhone as a webclip app (should work also offline when saved to home screen). It might work in other browsers and mobile devices as well: http://www.palomarkovic.net/mobile/BatchNumberDecoder/

RalphLambrecht · Mar 8, 2011

palec

08 and 09 return the wrong value!

palec · Mar 9, 2011

Ralph, thanks for check. It's corrected now. However it's not working offline for some reason, I'll check it later.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 9, 2011

palec said:
Ralph, thanks for check. It's corrected now. However it's not working offline for some reason, I'll check it later.

I think you also need to find a way to make it work prior to 2004. Paper lasts for a long time. Will you be working on Kodak's batch codes as well?

palec · Mar 11, 2011

RalphLambrecht said:
I think you also need to find a way to make it work prior to 2004. Paper lasts for a long time. Will you be working on Kodak's batch codes as well?

I've made some improvements, now it's for both Ilford/Kodak papers (I hope it's correct) and displays two other possible dates in past. The batch codes work on some Ilford chemistry as well, the one manufactured in Europe.

Might be the webpage will need force refresh to load new content but now it finally works offline.

Simon R Galley · Mar 11, 2011

I saw the remark that we put chemicals in to 'age' paper

No we don't, never have done, never will, the whole point of mono paper exposed or unexposed is longevity so all the formulations are designed to be incredibly stable and to last.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

RalphLambrecht · Mar 11, 2011

Simon R Galley said:
I saw the remark that we put chemicals in to 'age' paper

No we don't, never have done, never will, the whole point of mono paper exposed or unexposed is longevity so all the formulations are designed to be incredibly stable and to last.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

I would have been very surprised.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 11, 2011

palec said:
I've made some improvements, now it's for both Ilford/Kodak papers (I hope it's correct) and displays two other possible dates in past. The batch codes work on some Ilford chemistry as well, the one manufactured in Europe.

Might be the webpage will need force refresh to load new content but now it finally works offline.

The site passed my spot checks for Ilford and Kodak! Very good job.

darkprints · Mar 11, 2011

palek - Your work is much appreciated!

Sal Santamaura · Jul 13, 2013

Has anyone figured out the code that HARMAN uses for Kentmere Fineprint? On a package just received, in addition to the CAT 6006549 number, there's a six-digit code on the label (332415) as well as, in the bottom right corner, another series that reads 13504705 F08. Inquiring mind wants to know.

DLawson · Jul 13, 2013

Sal Santamaura said:
Has anyone figured out the code that HARMAN uses for Kentmere Fineprint? On a package just received, in addition to the CAT 6006549 number, there's a six-digit code on the label (332415) as well as, in the bottom right corner, another series that reads 13504705 F08. Inquiring mind wants to know.

You could try asking in the Partners >> Ilford Photo forum.

Simon is very helpful. It may be that the number is not meaningful outside the inventory system, but I suspect he could tell you whether or not the quest is futile.

Simon R Galley · Jul 15, 2013

I will find out

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Ilford mfg. code?

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