pridbor Posted September 20, 2018 Share #1 Posted September 20, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Kind of a new guy in the Darkroom developing film that is. I bought a kit for C41 film development and successfully developed 2 films, Ilford XP2, about a year ago. I left the chemicals in my garage and am now wondering if they are still OK to use? It has been quite hot during this summer outside 100+ and inside maybe 10 degrees less. Thanks in advance Preben Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 20, 2018 Posted September 20, 2018 Hi pridbor, Take a look here C 41 Process Chemicals Life. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mikemgb Posted September 21, 2018 Share #2 Posted September 21, 2018 They will not be good. Kept in a refrigerator in collapsible bottles with the air excluded you won't get much more than 5 months, at room temperature they will not last much more than 3. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted September 29, 2018 Share #3 Posted September 29, 2018 C41 developer should be thought of as "food." It contains a high proportion of organic materials (especially the dye components), that spoil rapidly, just like mayonnaise or eggs. I toss mine 2-4 weeks after mixing, especially once used, with added chemical compounds dissolved out of the film itself. The other chemicals (bleach, fixer) are more inorganic, and thus can survive longer. I wouldn't trust them at 1 year, but it is easy to test the fixer, at least, by putting a little in a container, and dropping in a clipped-off piece of film (say, from the leader). If the fix is working, the film will "clear" in 1-2 minutes (i.e. no longer opaque pink or beige, but transparent). If you are willing to trust the bleach and/or fix, Denver Pro Photo can sell you just the C-41 developer (a.k.a Flexicolor developer) components alone (three little bottles). Probably (?) can be sourced in Vegas or SLC as well. Will make 3 liters, which can be mixed sequentially in 1-liter/qt batches - the concentrates, once opened, will last 2-3 months in dark, room-temperature storage (i.e. under my powder-room sink) . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 8, 2018 Share #4 Posted November 8, 2018 I had my C-41 developer chemicals in closed 500 ml glass bottles filled to top and well sealed stored between 20-23 deg C for about 9 months without seeing issues. I developed about 25 films with them during this time. At the end of its lifetime, I saw precipitation in the Blix solution and the developer turned very dark and flocked out. A bit precipitation in the developer is not an issue since it also fully dissolves when pre-heated to 40 deg C. Rule of thumb is to avoid cross contamination between the chemicals to increase lifetime. In my E-6 slide development process I added additional washing steps between developers and fixer which increased lifetime a lot. I will do the same next time I am making and using new C-41 solutions, too. The most tedious developer chemicals I have used so far are the ones used in the RA-4 process. This stuff oxidizes very quickly even in closed bottles. One reason why I don't bother using it anymore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted November 8, 2018 Share #5 Posted November 8, 2018 Tetenal RA4 concentrated developer seems to keep very well even when opened. I use Tetenal Protectan spray to stop it oxidising. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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