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Storing Developer
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What?s the max length of time for storing developer in accordion tanks if made up to the recommend ratio. At present I am using only once and disgarding.
It depends on the developer, the dilution and how many times you’ve already used it. I realise that’s not a very helpful answer. I’ve often kept one shot developer for a month or so, but wouldn’t keep it longer than that. It’s so cheap that it just doesn’t seem worth the risk.
Hi Thorsten
So a week would be OK, Im using Kodak Tmax at the moment but usally use Agfa one shot. Would a week be OK for Paper developers, this is one area of the darkroom I’m really unsure about so usally play it safe and bin it after use.
Thanks
Hi Gavin,
Like Thorsten said, it depends! but I would say not more than 10-14 days for FILM developer and 4-6 weeks for PAPER developer -but that is easy, just try it!Its been a long time since I’ve used it now but I used to find that it would not last long really. It all depended on certain factors such as air left in the container shortened the life, the higher the temp of room also shortened the life. My own opinion was I would never re-use film developer unless I was using it that day again and I really only kept the paper dev if I were sure that I was using it again the next day or so and that it was not too warm in the room, eg. not a really hot summers day.
Really I think the chemical is so cheap its not worth storing it and theres nothing worse than developing a film with slightly exhausted chemical.
GCP wrote:
Really I think the chemical is so cheap its not worth storing it and theres nothing worse than developing a film with slightly exhausted chemical.
I’d agree, I’d say the best thing to do is to let your films build up and do them all one day. For printing I might even change developer during a session, I’d never store them.
Agfa recommend that you make a stock solution at 1 + 3 for storage. I store it in 2Litre water bottles. You then dilute this 1+1 or 1+2 when you are printing and discard when you have finished. The stock will hold for about 6 months. This works for Neutol NE and WA. This has worked for me over the last number of years.
Great guys very helpfull at least I know I dont have to bin it after each roll or two.
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