Super Old Dektol

[Logan Becker]

Logan Becker submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - Is old powder still good if it's sealed?

I just found a box filled with about 20 gallon packets of sealed dektol powder. It looks like it's a good 20+ years old, but I've checked them out and they look fine, no holes or air leakage. If the chemical hasn't been exposed to oxygen, then in theory, should it still be fresh when mixed?

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[GregW]

Should be fine. Mix one up and test it.

 

[Rick A]

If it's clear to light tea or straw color it should be good. Test it.

 

[Jim Noel]

If it is "super old" enough to be in a can, it is good if the can is not swollen.

 

[Logan Becker]

If it is "super old" enough to be in a can, it is good if the can is not swollen.

Actually I did forget that there are a few cans of Dektol and Microdol-X. They look good, although one has a slight dent.

 

[removed account4]

have fun logan !
i found a 20, maybe 30 year old can of gaf developer
years ago, mixed 5 gallons at once and used it like mad for 3-4 months
and it was one of the best developer i ever used ..
if you run out of uses for your dektol and need extra ideas, aside from paper processing
dilute it 1:8 and use it for 8 mins to process your sheet film, you won't be sorry
john

 

[Logan Becker]

have fun logan !
i found a 20, maybe 30 year old can of gaf developer
years ago, mixed 5 gallons at once and used it like mad for 3-4 months
and it was one of the best developer i ever used ..
if you run out of uses for your dektol and need extra ideas, aside from paper processing
dilute it 1:8 and use it for 8 mins to process your sheet film, you won't be sorry
john

8 mins at what speeds? does it even matter?

 

[removed account4]

8 mins is for regular old box speed. if you want to increase contrast &c you can adjust your time and agitation.
the instructions on the gaf universal said " 1:1, 1:2 prints, 1:6 6 mins film " and i learned later from people smarter than me
that the dilution becomes the time so 1:8 - 8 mins, or 1:10 10 mins &c ...i usually over process my film a little so i typically
add a little bit of time to my shuffling the film .. i did this sort of processing with ansco130 for 10-15 years and i've been doing it with dektol / d72
for about 3-4 years. its great for whatever you stick in there.
( i also spike my caffenol c ( i use sumatra beans so i call it sumatranol ) with about 20cc/L .. it adds the perfect amount of contrast ..

john

ps i forgot to add YMMV >> what works great for me might be kind of wonky for you

 

[mgb74]

Cans seem to last forever (until opened). After cans came (IIRC) the paper/foil packets. I've found those problematic in terms of longevity. I would definitely test as Rick A suggests.

Of course, with print developer, you have nothing to lose with testing.

 

[Bill Burk]

I once had a carton of Dektol and it lasted me many a good year. Towards the end, every third bag was dark and muddy when mixed... I'd dump it immediately and try another. It's funny that I felt resentful about the half gallon of filtered water that I wasted. But I didn't worry about the Dektol since it was free.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Logan Becker submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - Is old powder still good if it's sealed?



(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

shoot a casual test roll and test it.don't risk it on something important to you but it will be most likely fine.