Liquid or powder chemicals?

[Petzi]

If I like a product that comes in powder form, I will deal with the difficulties of mixing.

OK, so if I read the results of this poll correctly, then people do much prefer liquid chemicals, and those who prefer powder do so only because they use self-made chemicals, or their preferred product is unavailable in liquid form?

 

[Stew]

It used to use liquid before I started mixing my own.Now I mix powders from scratch and make as much as I need.

Rob.

 

[konakoa]

Both. I like liquid Kodak rapid fix and Permawash, but powdered Xtol and Dektol developers, and anhydrous citric acid for a print stop bath.

 

[Jerzy]

Powder, I mix my own in general. If I would buy I would prefer liquid.

 

[Neal]

Dear Petzi,

OK, so if I read the results of this poll correctly, then people do much prefer liquid chemicals, and those who prefer powder do so only because they use self-made chemicals, or their preferred product is unavailable in liquid form?

I can't speak for the others, but you're not far off from the way I operate. I will say that I generally prefer liquids but prefer to store powders to liquids, but I only use powdered chemicals that aren't hard to mix. (Please excuse that sentence.) I use Xtol, Dektol, and Kodak HCA in powder, but I happliy use Kodak fixer if there is a good deal or some comes my way.

Neal Wydra

 

[Konical]

Good Morning,

I've mixed many a gallon of D-76 and Dektol, but I now use mostly liquids (T-Max, HC-110, Rapid Fix, Permawash, KRST) because I don't want to mess with storing large bottles, and my irregular, somewhat infrequent processing makes mixing from concentrate more practical.

Konical

 

[reellis67]

I use both. I get some things in liquid form and others in powder, it all depends on how they are packaged. I have just begun to mix my own chemistry for a few things, primarily because they are not commercialy available, but I honestly have no preference either way.

- Randy

 

[George Collier]

I use both. I prefer liquid for convenience of mixing, but I make the choice based on the properties, or performance, though. I suppose powders have longer shelf lives, but that's not an issue. I don't mix my own.

 

[PhotoPete]

I prefer liquids b/c they are harder to inhale in my poorly-ventilated workspace. However, some of my faves, like Diafine, are only sold as powders.

 

[Ole]

Once they're mixed for use, they're all liquids. So it doesn't really matter

 

[jlehmus]

Powder, easier to store

 

[jim appleyard]

Once they're mixed for use, they're all liquids. So it doesn't really matter

You're supposed to add water!!!??? All these years I've been processing film and prints in dry chemistry. No wonder I never got an image! )