• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Technidol lifespan

inlarry

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
44
Location
Evansville,
Format
35mm
Does anyone out there have any working, or technical knowledge as to the working lifespan of unopened Technidol?

I've got about 20 packets unopened that I'd stocked up on 8-10 years ago, but have no expiration dates on the packets nor the boxes.

Unfortunately I've only got 3 rolls of techpan. So, if anyone out there is interested in some Technidol, possibly in trade for some film? Or, if anyone has some Techpan they'd like to unload...?

But, really just wondering if this stuff is still usable. Given experience with other developers I assume it should be, but I'd like some input.
 

E76

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
401
Location
Baltimore, MD
Format
Medium Format
I just threw out some Technidol LC packets today. They were about 10-15 years old. I opened the package, took one look at the powder, and immediately knew it was bad—it was completely brown. While powered chemistry does last a long time, moisture and air will eventually make its way into the packets and ruin the developer.
 
OP
OP

inlarry

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
44
Location
Evansville,
Format
35mm
Maybe you have something different that I do. Mine is liquid in packets, I believe 6 to a box. I had to special order it and had to buy 5 boxes at the time to get my hands on any at all.
 

brianmquinn

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
687
Location
Cincinnati O
Format
Medium Format
As far as I know Technidol LC (liquid concentrate) was only sold as a liquid. If yours is a dried out sticky powder-ish mass then it must be bad. It is easy to home mix some fresh developers for the film in question. They are all low contrast developers for what was and still is a super high contrast film that was first made for copy of text not continuous tone rendering.
 
OP
OP

inlarry

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
44
Location
Evansville,
Format
35mm
I thought it was only liquid, but the previous response mentioned looking at the powder and assumed he may have some older version than I did. Mine is still definitely wet, so I'll open one up and see what I have.
 

Tony-S

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
1,167
Location
Colorado, USA
Format
Multi Format
My remaining Technidol LC packets are also powder. Quite frankly, I'm not sure I'd trust them with my last 100 foot roll of Technical Pan.