Kodak Tri-Chem Pack question

gone · Jul 5, 2022

There's a Tri-Chem Pack I want to buy just for the fixer, since I'm currently out. The foil pack that says "Universal Fixer" is a dark green where the chemical is. Does anyone know if that means it's cooked, or possibly still OK? I buy old packs and tins of Dektol and D76 all the time, but this is the first time I've run into the Tri-Chem Pack.

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Hunter_Compton · Jul 5, 2022

My experience with Tri-chem packs is from a slightly later era, but in that case the foil packs were color coded for identification.

Part A of the developer was in a yellow foil packet, part B of the developer was in a blue foil packet and the Universal fixer was in a green foil packet. I would assume your earlier example is color coded the same way, and that packet is dyed that color specifically, not discolored.

These packets don’t keep great after many decades though, I would expect the powder inside to be solidified and may be hard to dissolve. They may be good for experimentation, but not for reliable results. The cans are much better in that regard.

gordrob · Jul 5, 2022

This is a Tri-Chem Pack from the mid 1960s. The package of Universal Fixer shows no color on the back just the silver colouring of the packet. The packet has a stiffness to it so I suspect the contents are passed their best before date.

gone · Jul 6, 2022

Thanks for the help, I better pony up for some new chemicals. The D76/Dektol packages and cans from the olden days may still be good even after we're all gone, but sadly, not this stuff.

MattKing · Jul 6, 2022

Tri-Chem packs should only be used with found films from the 1970s

gordrob · Jul 7, 2022

MattKing said:
Tri-Chem packs should only be used with found films from the 1970s

Good idea - I might just process some Tri-X Film packs from the 60s with the Tri-chem Packs to see what happens

Randy Stewart · Jul 14, 2022

I started darkroom work in the late 1950s with Kodak Tri-Chem Packs. They were convenient for those lacking any knowledge of the subject. The stop bath was ??? Something dry. The fixer was plain old Kodak
Fixer. The developer I have never bothered to identify. It was intended for use on both film and paper, so I'd guess a modified form of Dektol., with bullets for grain on the film. You'd be insane to use these packs today, both for their age and the less than optimum chemicals employed when fresh.

Hunter_Compton · Jul 14, 2022

Randy Stewart said:
I started darkroom work in the late 1950s with Kodak Tri-Chem Packs. They were convenient for those lacking any knowledge of the subject. The stop bath was ??? Something dry. The fixer was plain old Kodak
Fixer. The developer I have never bothered to identify. It was intended for use on both film and paper, so I'd guess a modified form of Dektol., with bullets for grain on the film. You'd be insane to use these packs today, both for their age and the less than optimum chemicals employed when fresh.

The developer employed was Kodak Universal MQ, which by it’s name tells us that it is a Metol and Hydroquinone developer. Kodak was selling it in glass tubes as early as 1910.

It’s likely similar either to D-72 or DK-93, although I’ve never seen a published formula for MQ Universal.

gordrob · Jul 16, 2022

The yellow package in the picture above identifies the developer as Dektol - useable for both film and contact prints

Kodak Tri-Chem Pack question

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