Using past end-of-life film developers

Bernard Schulman · Apr 8, 2021

Hi Forum, I recently found a box of ID11 which I had bought back in the early 80s. I'm planning to use it diluted at 1+1 to develop a few rolls of FP4 and HP5 films. Does anybody have experience using past EOL film developers? I'm hoping for adjusted developing times, to replace ILFORD's recommendations of 11 and 12 minutes for FP4 and HP5 respectively. Thanks.

awty · Apr 8, 2021

Hope its ok, cause I just bought a tin of D76 and D19 to use.
If the chemistry still looks clean it might be ok, but best to just run a small test strip through it first and see. Any level of degeneration will be specific to your batch. Some chemistry goes forever some doesn't.

Nicholas Lindan · Apr 8, 2021

If the powder is still white and free-running it'll be fine. If it is liquid then as long as it hasn't gone brown or smelly you will be OK. I am still going through my stashes of Microdol-X and Technidol - no problems.

The advice to do a snip test is good advice: it makes sure the developer is working; it increases your confidence in the developer, lessens your worries and keeps your blood pressure in check.

gordrob · Apr 8, 2021

I have had a couple of bags of D76 at the back of a cupboard that I recently found. They both mixed up just fine and gave good results so i would think you should be fine if it hasn't shown signs of turning brown.

Bernard Schulman · Apr 9, 2021

Thanks to the replyers so far. I'll try and keep track on how it goes, and post here the outcomes. Thanks again.

BMbikerider · Apr 9, 2021

On a new box of ID11 I have just opened, is states:- ;So long as the packets remain sealed the life is indefinite'

You should have two packets 'A' and 'B' and if they are sealed I cannot see a problem. There is a change in mixing instructions and they now recommend the water temp to be between 25 and 30C - not cold water and to mix 'A' until it is fully dissolved before adding 'B'.

Donald Qualls · Apr 9, 2021

Last year (2020) I mixed a bag of Xtol that "expired" in 2002 -- that's roughly 20 years from manufacture.

relistan · Apr 9, 2021

I've just used 9 year old Fomadon Excel without issue. Twenty year old D-76, no issues.

gone · Apr 9, 2021

And I just mixed up some new Dektol and D76, and they were both bad. Stick to the old stuff. At least Kodak is replacing the D76, but I have no faith it will be any different than the last batch. Tomorrow the old can of D76 arrives in the post ,and that's what I'll use. Cans and packages of Kodak developers are almost always good.

Bernard Schulman · Apr 15, 2021

As promised: I developed 6 rolls of different films - FP4s and HP5s, all "Plus", all recently purchased - and all the negatives, on visual inspection, came up OK. I used the ID11 at 1+1 (discard), 20C, 11 mins for the FP4s and 13 mins for the HP5s, 4 inversions at the beginning of each minute - so, same parameters as if it was a current product.

Guillaume Zuili · Apr 16, 2021

I use old metal cans of Kodak DK50. Works like a charm.

Using past end-of-life film developers

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