Mixed Ilford Perceptol: long shelf life

[Dave Krueger]

Back in July 2011, I planned to experiment with TMax 100 and Perceptol based on info in Thorton's "Edge of Darkness" (page 90). I mixed up the developer stock solution and put half on the shelf and half in the fridge. I never did the test, so I eventually threw out the developer on the shelf.

Today I decided to do the experiment using the Perceptol I put in the fridge back in 2011. Shot the TMax 100 at EI 80 and developed the film in Perceptol 1:3 at 74F for 14 minutes (4 inversions every minute). Negs look pretty darn good. Of course, I have nothing to compare them to since I have never used Perceptol before, fresh or otherwise. I was a big fan of Microdol-X when I was a kid and these negs seem to look comparable to those (assuming my memory is reliable).

Anyway, I thought this news might be of interest to any fans of Perceptol. I know questions of shelf life come up on here from time to time, so this will just be another data point. 3+ years in a full HDPE bottle in the fridge is pretty impressive.

 

[bvy]

Thanks. I'm less worried, now, about shooting film to soak up the remaining stock solution I prepared three weeks ago.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Yes, Perceptol and Microdol X are pretty similar, that´s true. Fascinating experiment! I´m a great fan of this developer too and might try this as well. Many thanks for sharing!