Is This RA 4 Develper Still Good?

[Andre Noble]

Hello, I bought this from Calumet about 18 months ago.

Have not opened stored at room temp.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Have a look at David Lyga's post in this thread:

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

I mix all the concentrate up in one go now and store it in one litre pop bottles with the air squeezed out. I've used two year old dev like this and it was fine to this amateur's eye.

 

[Andre Noble]

Photo engineer from that post suggests yes, that he gets 3 to 4 yes unopened botles. I posted photo but I don't know if your can see it. Shows the developers look quite brown.

 

[JoJo]

There cannot be more damage as a few small sheets of paper. So try it and if it is bad, dump it.
Overexpose a test sheet in room light. It should be developed to black during standard time.
If there is a strong color shift or weak (or even none) development, the developer is dead.
If the CD-part is black like tar, the developer may be dead or at least very short time working.
I regulary use 5 or 6 years old stock of developer and never had problems with unopened bottles.

But testing it is easy and the worst case is to dump it and buy new one, so where is the problem?

(after 18 months, you will not get a refund / guarantee from the seller, independent if its good or not)

Joachim

 

[Andre Noble]

Thanks for additional info, JoJo, I will give it a try soon.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If it has not been opened it is probably good.

 

[lhalcong]

I have noticed that Part A tends to still be good even though it darkens over time from its original fresh clearer color. However, I believe part B should be clear like amber color. So most likely this kit is bad. Others have suggested to try it. likely it will still develop pictures however, results may be unpredictable and in many instances very strange inexplicable color shifts and stains may develop. I only speak out of my own experience while I did work with some expired chemicals that were not kept in optimal conditions. They drove me crazy trying to explain weird results.