Substitute for Dektol

Dan Dozer · Jan 30, 2012

I normally use other paper developers, but I have a small project I'm going to be working on that I need a simlar type of paper developer to Dektol - in chemical make-up not in look/appearance. Now that Kodak is out of the picture, does anyone know what is the equal from Ilford, Edwal, or whoever to Dektol? I have some Ilford Multigrade developer - is that about the same?

DREW WILEY · Jan 30, 2012

There's plenty of Dektol around. Kodak is undergoing restructuring, and hasn't just disappeared as
if it were abducted by aliens. Any camera shop still selling the most basic darkroom supplies should have it. Or you can find a substitute from someone like Photographer's Formulary.

Mackinaw · Jan 30, 2012

You'll have no problem buying Dektol. Kodak farmed out production if their darkroom chemicals to a third-party company a few years back if memory serves. Freestyle sells a Dektol equivalent too. And Ilford Multigrade will work just fine.

Jim B.

BradS · Jan 30, 2012

D-72 can be mixed from basic chemicals and is essentially the same as Dektol (so say Kodak). But, Drew is correct. Kodak has NOT been vaporized....it is just going through restructuring. Just the same as Chrysler did a while back...and even Ilford. Besides, Kodak spun off the photo chemistry division years ago and so, photo chemical products are very much unaffected by the present dust storm.

Rick A · Jan 30, 2012

Where are you located, I have several one pint packets that you can have for postage.

mrred · Jan 30, 2012

I ordered 4 1 gal packs from BH a few weeks ago. Lots around.

CRhymer · Jan 30, 2012

Hello Dan,

As others have said, Dektol is still available. You may also like to try Liquidol: http://stores.photoformulary.com/-strse-143/Liquidol-Paper-Developer/Detail.bok I have had very good results with it.

Cheers,
Clarence

tony lockerbie · Jan 30, 2012

As has been said, D72 if you are a mixer and Ethol LPD is great too. Plenty of Dektol still around though, so I wouldn't sweat too much just yet...so convenient and easy to mix.

Colin Corneau · Jan 31, 2012

Kodak's still around, Dektol is plentiful and isn't going anywhere.

Use Dektol. It's the most like Dektol of any developer out there. Except for Dektol, of course.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 31, 2012

Dan Dozer said:
I normally use other paper developers, but I have a small project I'm going to be working on that I need a simlar type of paper developer to Dektol - in chemical make-up not in look/appearance. Now that Kodak is out of the picture, does anyone know what is the equal from Ilford, Edwal, or whoever to Dektol? I have some Ilford Multigrade developer - is that about the same?

mix your own:

Dan Dozer · Jan 31, 2012

Thanks Ralph - I should have looked in your book (since I do have it). Great book and reference by the way - thanks for putting it out there for the rest of us to use.

Dan

Substitute for Dektol

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