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Update / HARMAN Cooltone Developer :

Jumping the gun a bit here, but...

I can imagine from the Harman Board's point of view that expressions of interest are useful but, as detailed in a previous thread, Ilford were left with unsold stock before. Good intentions wither in the breeze, cold cash may speak volumes.

Once the price is worked out, what is the possibility of running a pre-order system? An order form could be available on the website with payments made up front. These orders could get priority after any production run and be refundable if production is deemed to be non-viable. I reckon that a manufacturer would love to know that say 15% of the production run is presold before puashing the button!

It may not be much but real money in the bank helps persuade manufacturers to produce, otherwise it is a speculative venture with a *chequered* history.

Depending upon the amount of interest, this may well be a nightmare to administer or an easy way to gauge the ratio of interest to real orders.

Any thoughts welcomed,
Sim2.
 
Sal Santamaura said:
Simply add the Cooltone Developer Item# to Ilford's list of films offered in the annual special-sizes program. Straightforward and no additional administrative effort.
Click to expand...

That's what I like to hear - an easy answer to a convoluted question! Not having used the special-sizes programme is an obvious disadvantage here, thanks fo rthe info.
 
I am also very impressed with Simon's efforts and Harman's response to this. Certain other companies (who shall remain nameless) could learn a lot from Harman, I think...

I am sure there is a certain element of 'mutual suppor't at work here which might help make the idea a success. I'm sure that whilst it is an 'ordinary' stock item many photographers will think 'I'd like to try it one day' - but not get around to it, leaving Harman with unsold bottles.

Knowing the company has made a special effort to do a limited one off batch and I bet many of us will be in the queue to buy a bottle not only because it has now become a bit exotic (having been resurrected from the dead), but as a show of solidarity. I predict the first 'special order' batch (if they choose to do it) would sell like crazy
 
There are a whole bunch of economies inherent in this approach, not the least of which the fact that neither the distributors nor the dealers have to buy any of the product unless and until they have a guaranteed customer for it.
 
Dear all,

Thanks for the feedback, I will use it next month, I would remind you it ain't a done deal yet, it has to pass the pounds, shillings and pence test yet....I will keep you updated.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :
 
I am down to my last 1/2 bottle and would like to be able to get a couple of more in the future.

Gord
 
Thank you Simon, thank you

I am down to my last few bottles of original CT and was wondering what I could use as a replacement

Martin
 
Great!!
I will buy several of them, if available in som way!!
Really loved the stuff as a complement to neutral and warmtone developers, never found anything like it: "super cool"!
/Bertil
 
Looks to be Clayton Ultra Cold Tone

Roger Cole said:
A bit off topic, but until/unless Ilford becomes available again, does anyone have any experience with this stuff from Freestyle?

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/35174...-Cold-Tone-Paper-Developer-1-Quart-makes-3.75
Click to expand...
Noting that their MSDSs are identical, and considering the MSDS for Freestyle's version says Clayton right on top, I'd say it's Clayton Ultra Cold Tone in Freestyle labeling.

I have no experience with it, but, based on this post by Brian Steinberger

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

decided to pass on the opportunity. Instead, I tried and am exceedingly pleased with Moersch SE6 developer. It's expensive, but, unless/until Ilford Cooltone developer is brought back, seems to be the best commercially available liquid developer for neutralizing MGWT FB, my current favorite paper. See what I wrote about that here:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
20 Jan 2012

Simon:

Thank you Simon for information regarding the Cooltone developer that I have missed. I really like the very versatile developer. I have used it by itself and mixed with other developers. All with good results. I would purchase this developer if available, even on an annual basis.

Thank you also for great customer service and communication about "what's cooking" at Harman Technology. I look forward to hearing more.

Regards,
Darwin
 


Well duh. I figured an MSDS might give some ingredients but it never occurred to me it would have the "real" brand name on it! Thanks for the info.
 
Simon

Many thanks for going to the trouble to investigate this. I would certainly buy 5 litres.
 
Any update on this? We want a genuine Cooltone developer!

And while on the subject - I have about a half bottle of warmtone that seems to have gone bad. The bottle is heavy and almost certainly airtight (seems to store well before the foil is removed) but once the foil is removed it is not. You can (with a really good grip) squeeze most of the air out of the bottle but it will inflate again in short order. The next Ilford liquid developer I buy will be immediately decanted into other bottles, but it shouldn't be too much to ask to package it in a bottle with a lid that will seal air tight.

But mainly we want our Cooltone.
 
Ilford Galerie and Cooltone developer is (was?) a very aesthetically pleasing combination IMHO.
 
I will buy some. How many depends on unopened shelf life. This would be great! Sorry I'm a little late to the show.
 
Simon first reported on this in Jan 2012 and said that it would be put to the board in Feb 2012 but we have heard nothing further and it is now nearly Feb 2013.

I wonder what happened to prevent a report back? I presume the board rejected the idea but it would be nice to know.

pentaxuser
 
It was indeed put to the board, and was put on hold for me to feedback further information to them on projected market size, and mnfc cost v smaller volumes etc, I have to admit that I have been a little slow in doing that. I will catch up and advise ASAP

Apologies:

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :
 
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