Introducing ADOX D-76 CLASSIC: The Return of a Trusted Formula

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Last year, we introduced an eco-friendly version of the iconic D-76 developer: ADOX D-76 ECO. With a lower dissolving temperature, a borate-free buffer, and captura dust-binding technology, it offered impressive environmental benefits. However, we understand that many of our long-standing customers—especially those who have trusted traditional formulas for decades—may prefer the trusted characteristics of the original D-76.

That’s why we’re excited to reintroduce a familiar formula under a new name: ADOX D-76 CLASSIC.

For those who appreciated the D-76 developer produced in Germany until 2022, D-76 CLASSIC offers the exact same performance, consistency, and developing times you’ve relied on for years. You’ll get identical results to what you expect from ID-11, the original D-76, or our current D-76 ECO—but with one key advantage: extended storage life.

While ADOX D-76 ECO remains an excellent choice for environmentally conscious photographers, we know that longevity matters, especially for professionals and darkroom enthusiasts who value consistency over long periods of time. The CLASSIC version retains the robustness of the traditional recipe, giving you the peace of mind that your developer will last—without sacrificing the quality you’ve come to expect.

Available starting Friday, October 25th. Pre-order yours today!

 

[miha]

I assume the extended storage life applies only to D-76 ECO, not to ID-11 or Kodak D-76, even though they were mentioned in the same sentence.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

No, the classic recipe has extended storage life over the ECO version.

 

[Pioneer]

This is great news.

 

[pentaxuser]

Can you say what the life of the ECO is and what you expect the new Classic version's life to be?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[ant!]

Adding on the previous questions: Shelf live of the powder or the mixed stock solution?

 

[miha]

@ADOX Fotoimpex Why do you list a time of 7 minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Adox D-76 CLASSIC, whereas Kodak lists a time of 6 ¾ minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Kodak D-76 developer?

https://kodakprofessional.com/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/pro/resources/edbwf_0.pdf

https://www.fotoimpex.com/shop/images/products/main/Kodak_D76_1000.jpg

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Adding on the previous questions: Shelf live of the powder or the mixed stock solution?

Powder stock. Once mixed our ECO is the same as the old version with "the good but.... stuff". But whilst in the package the biodegradable components cannot quite hold up with the other ones.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

@ADOX Fotoimpex Why do you list a time of 7 minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Adox D-76 CLASSIC, whereas Kodak lists a time of 6 ¾ minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Kodak D-76 developer?

https://kodakprofessional.com/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/pro/resources/edbwf_0.pdf

https://www.fotoimpex.com/shop/images/products/main/Kodak_D76_1000.jpg

Try it. Compare both and get back to us which times gave better results. I think ours is simply a more recent test.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Can you say what the life of the ECO is and what you expect the new Classic version's life to be?

Thanks

pentaxuser

ECO holds up about 24 months after manufacturing. The CLASSIC keeps many years. Some customers where not happy with this and we understand. So we have two versions now.

 

[logan2z]

Try it. Compare both and get back to us which times gave better results. I think ours is simply a more recent test.

Would there really be any appreciable difference in results between 7 and 6 3/4? I actually thought the post from @miha was tongue in cheek, but perhaps not...

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Would there really be any appreciable difference in results between 7 and 6 3/4? I actually thought the post from @miha was tongue in cheek, but perhaps not...

See this thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/new-d76.208000/ Currently times seem to vary between continents.
All we can say is that our product matches the times of the German produced D-76 until 2022, ID-11 and our current D-76 ECO. That´s what we have tested and made curves of.
So maybe this is more of an issue for Europe.

 

[miha]

Try it. Compare both and get back to us which times gave better results. I think ours is simply a more recent test.

Ok, I understand you mentioned Kodak might be wrong (and I’m not questioning that, just curious), but since you referred to Kodak's developing times in your original post, where can we find a more comprehensive list of developing times and dilutions for other films? You only listed three, so should we look to Ilford for more information?

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Ok, I understand you mentioned Kodak might be wrong (and I’m not questioning that, just curious), but since you referred to Kodak's developing times in your original post, where can we find a more comprehensive list of developing times and dilutions for other films? You only listed three, so should we look to Ilford for more information?

Again, our product has the exact same developing times than the D-76 product made in Germany and sold in Europe. So you can use the time you are used to if you have used this developer before. Having said the above you can safely use the well known times from here: https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=&Developer=D-76&mdc=Search&TempUnits=C&TimeUnits=D
I am not aware of any underdevelopment with the Digitaltruth developing times. Alternatively you can use ID-11 times as far as I know.

 

[Henning Serger]

@ADOX Fotoimpex Why do you list a time of 7 minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Adox D-76 CLASSIC, whereas Kodak lists a time of 6 ¾ minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Kodak D-76 developer?

Hello Miha,

as someone who has developed a huge number of films over the decades under strict test conditions, and evaluated the results with a densitometer, I can ensure you that this very small difference is indeed so small that you will not see a difference in the final print.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[miha]

Hello Miha,

as someone who has developed a huge number of films over the decades under strict test conditions, and evaluated the results with a densitometer, I can ensure you that this very small difference is indeed so small that you will not see a difference in the final print.

Best regards,
Henning

Hi Henning, I wholeheartedly agree as someone who has also developed many films under strict and less strict conditions. That said, let’s leave it there.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Would there really be any appreciable difference in results between 7 and 6 3/4? I actually thought the post from @miha was tongue in cheek, but perhaps not...

My guess is measurable but not appreciable. I takes 15 s just to pour it out.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

View attachment 381419
Last year, we introduced an eco-friendly version of the iconic D-76 developer: ADOX D-76 ECO. With a lower dissolving temperature, a borate-free buffer, and captura dust-binding technology, it offered impressive environmental benefits. However, we understand that many of our long-standing customers—especially those who have trusted traditional formulas for decades—may prefer the trusted characteristics of the original D-76.

That’s why we’re excited to reintroduce a familiar formula under a new name: ADOX D-76 CLASSIC.

For those who appreciated the D-76 developer produced in Germany until 2022, D-76 CLASSIC offers the exact same performance, consistency, and developing times you’ve relied on for years. You’ll get identical results to what you expect from ID-11, the original D-76, or our current D-76 ECO—but with one key advantage: extended storage life.

While ADOX D-76 ECO remains an excellent choice for environmentally conscious photographers, we know that longevity matters, especially for professionals and darkroom enthusiasts who value consistency over long periods of time. The CLASSIC version retains the robustness of the traditional recipe, giving you the peace of mind that your developer will last—without sacrificing the quality you’ve come to expect.

Available starting Friday, October 25th. Pre-order yours today!

I will look forward to trying D76 Classic once my current developer is used up.

 

[halfaman]

It is good to seee that Adox has the photo chemicals department covered for amateurs. B/W staple developers and standard color processes for paper and film.

 

[Don_ih]

@ADOX Fotoimpex Why do you list a time of 7 minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Adox D-76 CLASSIC, whereas Kodak lists a time of 6 ¾ minutes for TRI-X 400 film with Kodak D-76 developer?

https://kodakprofessional.com/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/pro/resources/edbwf_0.pdf

https://www.fotoimpex.com/shop/images/products/main/Kodak_D76_1000.jpg

Kodak is a bit unreliable in their times. From their 2017 D76 data sheet:

I particularly like the time for TriX Pan at 21 degrees.

The TriX data sheet also says 8 minutes at 20 degrees.

 

[Alessandro Serrao]

View attachment 381419
Last year, we introduced an eco-friendly version of the iconic D-76 developer: ADOX D-76 ECO. With a lower dissolving temperature, a borate-free buffer, and captura dust-binding technology, it offered impressive environmental benefits. However, we understand that many of our long-standing customers—especially those who have trusted traditional formulas for decades—may prefer the trusted characteristics of the original D-76.

That’s why we’re excited to reintroduce a familiar formula under a new name: ADOX D-76 CLASSIC.

For those who appreciated the D-76 developer produced in Germany until 2022, D-76 CLASSIC offers the exact same performance, consistency, and developing times you’ve relied on for years. You’ll get identical results to what you expect from ID-11, the original D-76, or our current D-76 ECO—but with one key advantage: extended storage life.

While ADOX D-76 ECO remains an excellent choice for environmentally conscious photographers, we know that longevity matters, especially for professionals and darkroom enthusiasts who value consistency over long periods of time. The CLASSIC version retains the robustness of the traditional recipe, giving you the peace of mind that your developer will last—without sacrificing the quality you’ve come to expect.

Available starting Friday, October 25th. Pre-order yours today!

Maybe it has to do with premature failure of the D-76 as seen here...

D76 Adox - Analogica.it

www.analogica.it

 

[chuckroast]

Maybe it has to do with premature failure of the D-76 as seen here...

D76 Adox - Analogica.it

www.analogica.it

If D-76 is properly mixed and stored, it should be shelf stable for a long time. Very early formulations circa 1927 had a problem with rising alkalinity which increased developer activity and negative contrast, but that problem was solved many, many years ago. Both Kodak D-76 and Ilford ID-11 should not have this problem.

But, there are still possible issues of which you should be aware:

Making Too Much

If you are a low volume user, don't make 5 liters and have it sitting there for years. Make what you need. If you do have to make a larger volume because of the way it is packaged, pour it off into separate, filled 1 litre bottles for longer storage.

Mixing It Improperly

The mixing instructions are there for a reason. Use the recommended temperature and gently stir until such time as all the powders have gone into solution. Only then should the developer go into the bottle.

Using Tap Water

In theory, this shouldn't matter, but I've proven it does. I saw high variability across the temperatures of the various seasons. When I switched to mixing all developers (and fixers) with distilled water, the variability disappeared.

Storing Developer In Plastic

Most plastic are permeable to air in varying degrees. This will lead to developer oxidation and degradation. There are some plastic types that are much better, but why add to the plastics problem the planet already has (it's a real and much worse problem than the noise you hear about climate every day). Instead, use glass bottles fitted with a "Polycone" type sealing cap. These are more-or-less impervious to air permeation and will protect your developer over its useful lifetime. I find the 2l glass beer growlers to be ideal for the volumes of developer I use. (You get beer out of that deal too!)

Not Replenishing Stock Developer

I almost always use diluted developer as one-shot and toss it after use. But if you're going to use full strength developer, replenish it after every use. If you cannot find a source for D-76R, you can just use fresh, unused D-76 to top off your working bottle. For all practical purposes, it works pretty well. That said, I find D-76 stock far too active for most of my development rubrics.

 

[Richard Man]

People arguing about 15 seconds?! Assuming most development already finish by, say,5:30 or 6 minutes mark, that 15 seconds is enough variation on how to pour the chemical out.

 

[chuckroast]

Kodak is a bit unreliable in their times. From their 2017 D76 data sheet:

View attachment 381557

I particularly like the time for TriX Pan at 21 degrees.

The TriX data sheet also says 8 minutes at 20 degrees.

That's because Tri-X itself has changed many times in its history. Developer times also were adusted accordingly.

 

[Don_ih]

Tri-X itself has changed many times in its history

Since 2017? TriX is not the only example, either. Their sheets are unreliable.