Kodak HC-110 storage/shelf life

[yossi]

Hello all.

I just received a bottle of Kodak HC-110 (1L) through mail order. Before I open and use it, I would like to know is it possible to split that 1L into a few smaller containers (say 100ml each) and just use them as and when I need to develop. Or is it better that I just open the bottle and use it as is? Will that shorten the shelf life of the HC-110?

(Btw, I am one of those who only shoot 1-2 rolls a month, so 1L of HC-110 probably would outlast all the rolls I would take in a year I supposed.)

TIA for your advice/suggestion.

yossi

 

[DWThomas]

HC110 has gone through some transitions in its manufacture over the last few years and there have been questions whether it keeps as well as it used to. My most recent supply of the old original syrupy stuff predates those changes, so I am blissfully ignorant of what the situation might be today.

I have though, regardless of how necessary it may actually be, normally split the one liter into several containers. Here in the US one of the outdoor/camping supply stores has a selection of screw top bottles that i believe are high density polyethylene (they are referred to as "Nalgene" bottles). I have 3 of about 250 ml, one half that size, and two a quarter that size. I top up the largest to have almost no air, then work my way down. One of the small ones is then used as the working container. I normally mix HC110 very dilute (1+63) and use it one shot, so I figure there's always a possiblilty of contamination from a mishandled syringe. Dividing the supply up minimizes the risk of messing up the whole supply. My working bottle definitely shows more darkening than the full ones, but the stuff I have seems to last for years.

 

[madNbad]

Two years ago, I split a liter bottle into four 250 ml brown glass bottles. Each bottle has a oral syringe stopper and a cap. I’ve used one full and half another bottle and the developer is still good as new. I use a syringe to draw up the amount of developer for dilution.

 

[MattKing]

HC110 has gone through some transitions in its manufacture over the last few years and there have been questions whether it keeps as well as it used to.

What does the labelling show as the place of manufacture? That seems to be a good clue as to which version you have.

 

[yossi]

The manufacturing date is 2022 Jan. Expiry: 2024 Jan.
Made in China under license from Eastman Kodak Company

(I would have got it from B&H but it says "No longer available". Oh well.)

 

[MattKing]

The manufacturing date is 2022 Jan. Expiry: 2024 Jan.
Made in China under license from Eastman Kodak Company

(I would have got it from B&H but it says "No longer available". Oh well.)

That is the very newest version. A recent thread here talked about that version, and how it at least seemed to represent a return to the MSDS that applied before the 2019 change from manufacture in Germany to a brief period of manufacture in the USA. It was that USA version that raised the most concern about likely reduced longevity.
The "Made in China" version is the "New Kid on the Block" - I would say that most are hopeful that that version will both continue to be manufactured, and will provide the same longevity as earlier versions.
The concern about continuing manufacture relates to the problems that Sino Promise Holdings have been having due to Covid-19. They are the entity that bought the Kodak chemical and colour photographic paper businesses from Kodak Alaris.

 

[MattKing]

Here is the somewhat convoluted thread that talks about there being at least three versions during the years of HC-110, and all the recent disruptions: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...ottle-2022-sino-promise-made-in-china.192670/

 

[yossi]

Wow!! Great info. Mine is indeed Cat 660 1777, manufactured by Sino Promise. I ordered it online from a TW company.

I was a bit worried when I first saw that, but it seems like it turns out to be based on the old and better formula. Phew

And fellow member Jordanpereira1 feedback from the above link that this version works fine is most reassuring. Thank you!

​

 

[pentaxuser]

Matt, has the Sino Promise version got similar viscosity to the old HC110? The big change as I recall was that the viscosity changed and it was this less syrupy version that had users worried about the legendary longevity

If the new Sino Promise HC110 version is less syrupy than the original but has retained the same longevity then it would appear the circle has been squared i.e. easier pouring with the same longevity

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[yossi]

Chance upon this interesting article: These-photos-were-processed-in-kodaks-new-hc110-in-spite-of-the-products-single-flaw
Not sure if this is the same Sino Promise version that I got. Anyway, time will tell how long it will last...(and any crystals forming? )

yossi

 

[MattKing]

Matt, has the Sino Promise version got similar viscosity to the old HC110? The big change as I recall was that the viscosity changed and it was this less syrupy version that had users worried about the legendary longevity

If the new Sino Promise HC110 version is less syrupy than the original but has retained the same longevity then it would appear the circle has been squared i.e. easier pouring with the same longevity

Thanks

pentaxuser

I have absolutely no idea. I've not seen any signs of any inventory getting to North America or Europe so far.
And the viscosity of the old stuff is easy to deal with.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thanks, Matt. I note that yossi is in Singapore so maybe it is slowly travelling West

pentaxuser

 

[christianglz]

Two years ago, I split a liter bottle into four 250 ml brown glass bottles. Each bottle has a oral syringe stopper and a cap. I’ve used one full and half another bottle and the developer is still good as new. I use a syringe to draw up the amount of developer for dilution.

I do the same with some small kombucha bottles, they are 250 ml each and hold very well.

 

[relistan]

Matt, has the Sino Promise version got similar viscosity to the old HC110? The big change as I recall was that the viscosity changed and it was this less syrupy version that had users worried about the legendary longevit

I don’t have the new stuff to look at but the viscosity change was from the change in solvents and the addition of water. The new version should have the same viscosity as the original since it is back to more or less the original ingredients.

 

[Ulrich Drolshagen]

I have the old stuff (may be 10 years or so) split up into smaller glas bottles filled to the top. Can I expect it to be still usable as long as it didn't change colour? It has the reputation of beeing as long lived as Rodinal.

Ulrich

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello all.

I just received a bottle of Kodak HC-110 (1L) through mail order. Before I open and use it, I would like to know is it possible to split that 1L into a few smaller containers (say 100ml each) and just use them as and when I need to develop. Or is it better that I just open the bottle and use it as is? Will that shorten the shelf life of the HC-110?

(Btw, I am one of those who only shoot 1-2 rolls a month, so 1L of HC-110 probably would outlast all the rolls I would take in a year I supposed.)

TIA for your advice/suggestion.

yossi

HC-110 is intended to be used from that 1L bottle but your idea has some merit as long as they are air-tight containers it would extend the shelf life of the overall volume. That said,HC-110 already has a very long shelf life and your well-meant plan is probably not necessary.