The return of the Syrup: HC-110 in the water-free version manufactured again

[mshchem]

What made the old 20th century version of Kodak HC-110 so thick (viscous)? And diluted smell like really bad breath!
I've just recently received 2 bottles of the syrup, I would be interested in using in a replenishment scheme, probably a 1 gallon "tank" and revisit my days of processing sheet film in hard rubber and stainless tanks. How Kodak originally designed HC-110 to be used. Terrific stuff.

This is the perfect developer for beginners as it's robust, delivers excellent results and is very simple to use.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I see that Freestyle is stocking this Adox syrup-style revival of HC-110. That's good news for me.

 

[chuckroast]

Mirko,

Would I do better to decant the syrup into glass bottles for long-term storage? I primarily use HC-110 for developing masks so my usage tends to be very slow.

Thank you.

@Steve Goldstein this is a good question. I did exactly this a few years agi with the several quarts of "real" Kodak HC-110 I had remaining. So far, it's been fine, though my use is also pretty small.

My general view is that anything subject to oxidation is best stored in glass no matter how "impermeable" the plastic is claimed to be. I've got D-76 mixed the better part of a year ago that is still good to go. Pyrocat-HDC in glycol seems to last forever this way, and my homebrew Ansco 130 stock similarly seems to live for months in glass.

 

[MattKing]

HC-110 - the old stuff - wasn't technically subject to oxidation unless and until water was introduced to the mix.
So although it seems strange, it isn't oxygen you need to keep away from it. It is water first, and oxygen thereafter that needs to be kept at bay.

 

[chuckroast]

HC-110 - the old stuff - wasn't technically subject to oxidation unless and until water was introduced to the mix.
So although it seems strange, it isn't oxygen you need to keep away from it. It is water first, and oxygen thereafter that needs to be kept at bay.

Yep, I've heard this before. But after a decade of storage, I saw some slight discoloration and crystallization so I re-homed the developer in glass out of an abundance of caution. When I last used some a month or two ago, it was just fine.

BTW, there are rumours that HC-110 has pyro in it, but I've never gotten definitive proof of this.

 

[MattKing]

Yep, I've heard this before. But after a decade of storage, I saw some slight discoloration and crystallization so I re-homed the developer in glass out of an abundance of caution.

It probably means that it experienced some exposure to humidity/water.

 

[chuckroast]

It probably means that it experienced some exposure to humidity/water.

Possibly, but I cannot imagine how. At least on of the containers I transferred was unopened but still slightly discolored, though not crystallized.

 

[MattKing]

If they were plastic containers originally, it was probably evidence of deterioration of the containers. If they were glass, it would be deterioration of the seals in the caps.

 

[chuckroast]

If they were plastic containers originally, it was probably evidence of deterioration of the containers. If they were glass, it would be deterioration of the seals in the caps.

Likely the former. They were in the original Kodak plastic, hence my re-homing of the stuff. It does seem like its kept just fine since then.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

Mirko,

Would I do better to decant the syrup into glass bottles for long-term storage? I primarily use HC-110 for developing masks so my usage tends to be very slow.

Thank you.

This is never a bad Idea however given the longevidity of the Syrup in combination with our oxygen blocked bottles the effect is small.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Hello Adox, just out of interest can you disclose if the syrup version contains the sulfur dioxide -diethanolamine adduct like the former Kodak syrup? It's not listed in the msds any more. Thanks.

 

[DREW WILEY]

My ancient bottle of HC-110 syrup still works perfectly even 1/5th full. But I should probably buy a backup bottle of the new Adox product next time I place an order with Freestyle. I tend to HC-110 mainly in relation to developing contrast masks, highly dilute.

 

[Adam W]

I just developed three rolls of Kentmere 200 in the new Adox HC-110 syrup because I had used up the last of my 15+y/o Kodak HC-110 and the times were exactly the same. This syrup is not quite as thick as my old Kodak developer and was actually easier to draw up with my syringe. Overall I'm pretty happy with this developer, not so much with your FX-39II.

Robert, what dilution and time/temp did you use for the Kentmere 200?

 

[Robert Ley]

Robert, what dilution and time/temp did you use for the Kentmere 200? the dilution

I used Dilution E (1:47) for 8min at 68 in Paterson tank gentel inversion once per min.

 

[Adam W]

I used Dilution E (1:47) for 8min at 68 in Paterson tank gentel inversion once per min.

Thanks. I use 1:49, and I did one roll at 8.5 min at 68f. I based that on it being about 150% of the time indicated for 1:3. However, I couldn't judge the results accurately because I'd accidentally overexposed the roll. But it's good to know I'm on the right track.