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Softpacks anyone?

Peter Black

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
1,012
Location
Scotland, UK
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Multi Format
Hi

While browsing the Firstcall Photographic website in the UK, I came upon a range of B&W chemicals stored in "softpacks" which resemble a soft drink sold in the UK. The only mention I can find on here for softpacks is for a form of Rodinal, but surely we'd have had these packs before if they were such a good idea? :confused:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.c...xn-fix-neutral-odourless-fixer-300ml-softpack
 
These were just released by Maco. But I still don't know how to handle them with the precision of a good bottle without a pouring aid/accessory.

I used seemingly similar packages for detergents.(Well, they even had the spout at a corner.)
But we should not forget, these are chemicals one should not spoil around, but at the same time measure whilst pouring.

I still only have two hands.
 
Thanks. The Rodinal might be a problem unless the opening is wide enough to take a syringe, but I can see the attraction of being able to exclude the air without having to bother with marbles or a canned gas.
 
I assume the way to use them is by means of a thin tube pipette. But which photographer has such in house?
 
Good for the longevity of the chemicals, but I am not so sure about the handling compared to a glass or plastic container.
 
Someone needs to come up with a tap or other piece of equipment that allows for easy, measured pouring from these.
 
I would also wonder about the Pouring, or air getting back. Mind you they show all 300ml packages, so I think a lot of us would use the stuff up rather quickly anyway.
 
Actually Maco should answer on this. They are advertisers here.

Would placing this topic under "Advertisers Forum" help?
 
I think it may be significant that they are sold in 300ml sizes. I wonder how I would get on trying to pour from a 1 litre sized pack.
 
AgX said:
Actually Maco should answer on this. They are advertisers here.

Would placing this topic under "Advertisers Forum" help?
Click to expand...

Maybe, but I was hoping that somebody who had tried them would give a user opinion. I'm guessing that Maco would be telling us that the packs are a wonderful innovation and we should maybe all buy some.
 
Forgive my innane humor.

I think these look very cool, especially for evacuating air and extending storage life. To faciliate pouring, one needs something like a baby bottle, where the soft plastic bag is supported in a hard plastic or glass shell.
 
I just had a look at the MACO image posted earlier.

This packaging has a very strong resemblance to IV solution bags used in hospitals.

Perhaps taps and tubes could be sourced from medical suppliers?

I think they might be possibilities for measured quantities to be drawn from the inverted pack, via catheter type gizmos?

I have no idea if any of this is possible, but someone who works in that area might tell us?

I only know the above from watching movies ;-)
 
They look really cool and an innovative cross-use of existing packaging. How many times have people said about chems going off before they are finished? I think anything that can help occasional users keep chems fresh should be applauded. I hope they work.

Sim2.
*waiting for the 5 litre packs*
 
All this stuff is in 300 ml. packages. Let's be realistic here folks. How long will it take to use up 300 ml. of anything aside from Photoflo or Rodinal? Not long, I'll bet. And the prices are outrageous, at least compared to what I'm used to paying in the US. The print developer, which will make 3L of working solution, is selling for the equivalent of $5.50US. For a couple of bucks more, I can buy enough Dektol to make up almost 12L of working solution. Even if I wind up tossing out some old Dektol, I'm still ahead of the game. Run the numbers on this stuff and you'll see that it's no bargain, though that's how they're marketing it.
 
Frank,

The prices are rather high for these soft packs I agree. If one is doing any quantity of black & white printing, the 5 lt packagings are much better value. I use ILFORD Hypam for consistency but Tetenal fixer is available @ £19.95 (including 17.5% tax) for 5 lt.

Tom
 
I just picked up 5 gallons of Kodak Flexicolor Fixer and Replenisher concentrate for about $35US. I know it's supposed to be for C-41, but it works just fine for B&W too - and CHEAP. For B&W work, I dilute it 1+9 rather than the recommended 1+4. It doesn't need to be quite so strong as it would need to be for color work. That's $35 for 50 gallons of nearly neutral Ph, non-hardening, working strength fixer. How could you pass that up? It won't go bad anytime soon and even if I haven't finished it before some of it does, I'm still way ahead. Comes in a big collapsible bladder to which you can attach a spigot, but weighs a ton. I don't recommend this unless you can pick it up locally. Shipping will cost more than the product.
 
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