ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
In the old days Kodak HC-110 and Agfa Rodinal kept forever and always worked reliably.
Today what brand Rodinal clone has the longest shelf-life?
What is the shelf-life of the newest formulation of HC-110?
TIA,
Chris
Today what brand Rodinal clone has the longest shelf-life?
What is the shelf-life of the newest formulation of HC-110?
TIA,
Chris
Freakscene
Obscure member
Rodinal lasted because of its formula but also because of its packaging. Agfa always had the best packaging for liquid photo chemicals. The best available combination of these is from Adox, who also make Rodinal labelled as such since they bought the name (except in France). It is identical to the more recent Agfa Rodinal in chemical composition, and essentially the same in terms of packaging to the last batches from 2000-2004.
That is a secret of the universe. Kodak has only just moved their manufacturing back to the US since Sino Promise failed and Photo Systems Inc took over their manufacturing again. Presumably it is the same as Legacy Pro 110, which has had sporadic reports of failure but others of lasting well. I have enough of the old stuff to last me a lifetime, so I don't think it will be me who tests this.
Marty
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santino
FSU gear head
I could buy HC-110 labeled „Fotoimpex“ but Made in USA. The seller states that it is Adox HC-110 and there is the Kodak data sheet attached. The label on the bottle says that the concettate‘s shelf life is two years…
Benjamin Marks
Mentor
I am probably just stirring the pot here, but you can make a Rodinal clone yourself with Tylenol (Paracetaminophen), Sodium Sulfite and common Lye or Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide NaOH) (many common powdered drain cleaners are just this one ingredient). One of the oldest formulas out there and easy enough to make. You need to pulverize the Tylenol into a powder. Use distilled water, and gloves/eye protection (careful with the Lye).
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Pioneer
Mentor
I keep my Parodinal in a small, brown, glass bottle with a capacity of 500ml. I only mix 250ml at a time but it seems to hold up fairly well. But I have never really tried to save it to see how long it would last. Mine has lasted over a year for whatever that is worth.
sdotkling
Sent through the ether
No, Rodinal does NOT last forever. My venerable old bottle of RO9, a decade old or maybe even more, did indeed conk out in dramatic fashion. Seven rolls of film completely blank. I was stunned. "But Rodinal lasts forever!" I sputtered as the reels emerged from the stainless tank.
Freakscene
Obscure member
R09 is not Rodinal. R09 is based on the pre-World War 2 formula but updated for modern chemical availability. Also the Compard packaging is not as good as that from Agfa or Adox.
Nothing lasts forever, but I have 1998 Rodinal that works fine, it has essentially the same activity as new. It’s almost black, and has crystals in it, but it develops film. It’s stored in the dark.
Freakscene
Obscure member
It is the same as the new Kodak HC-110 and is also made by Photo Systems Inc.
John Bragg
Well-known
I am currently using Ilfotec HC (1 litre bottle decanted into 100ml medicine bottles) and it is 3 years old with no sign of deterioration. I use Calpol childrens paracetamol bottles and they come with an oral medicine syringe and fitted stopper.
Untitled_254019GB by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr
Untitled_254019GB by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr
santino
FSU gear head
At least the results of the new HC 110 seem to be equal to the old, good formula.
Kodak HC-110 BW Developer - New Formula in 2019! - The Film Photography Project
Kodak HC-110 BW Developer - New Formula in 2019! - The Film Photography Project
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Thanks for the replies.
I'm looking forward to trying the ADOX Rodinal.
Has anyone here tried the FPP HC-110 referenced in the previous post?
If so does it keep well undiluted in the original bottle?
Chris
I'm looking forward to trying the ADOX Rodinal.
Has anyone here tried the FPP HC-110 referenced in the previous post?
If so does it keep well undiluted in the original bottle?
Chris
Freakscene
Obscure member
dourbalistar
Buy more film
I use the LegacyPro L110 clone from Freestyle Photo, not the "new formula" of Kodak HC-110, but...
...if the clone is no longer a clone anymore...?
In any case, it usually takes me about a year or more to use a pint size bottle, mixed straight from concentrate. The liquid turns from clear to slightly yellow with some precipitate crystals, but since I started using it in 2016, I've never had any issues of developer failure (knock on wood). I'm halfway through the current bottle I'm using, which I unsealed in June 2023.
Pioneer
Mentor
I have been using the Legacy Pro version of HC110 and it seems to hold up well. My bottle is half gone. Unfortunately I didn't date it when I opened it so I have no idea how old it really is. I know I have been using it for more than a year. I suppose I could go back through my film records and get an idea but that would probably take more time than it is worth.
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Could you elaborate on this more or any source to clarify this?
I currently still can buy the SINO version and it looks exactly the same as the Tetenal Version except the bottle shape?
Does it mean that this type of bottle will be no longer produced?
Thanks
Muggins
Junk magnet
This is not what I need to hear. I've been meaning to have a bash at Caffenol (only with tea, because I'm British) for years, now I know I can make my own Rodinal with off the shelf stuff.... oh bugger, another rabbit hole!
Freakscene
Obscure member
Sino Promise collapsed and Photo Systems are making the new (since September 2023) chemistry: Photo Systems to Bring Kodak Development Chemicals Back Into Production or Kodak chemistry back in play, less certainty for paper - Inside Imaging or Photo Systems Inc brings Kodak Professional-branded development chemicals back into production
Sino Promise made water-based HC-110. You may be receiving new-old-stock. The glycol product is water-free but more complex to manufacture - it involves a step in which sulfur dioxide and hydrobromic acid gases are bubbled through organic alkali (triethanolamine). This makes ‘liquid sulfite’ and it aids resisting oxidation, but it is much easier to dissolve sodium sulfite in water and bring it and the developing agents to the correct concentration and pH. The new watery product is less viscose and pours better too. I have no idea about the packaging.
Marty
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Just to confirm that you meant SINO produced the new HC110 version, not the old water-free version used to produced by Tetenal?
And, it’s also confirmed that the old version is no longer produced by anyone else, since Photo Systems certainly is making the new version?
Thanks for your information.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Some more recent news about "rebranded Kodak Professional Photo Chemicals" becoming available in Europe again, through a UK-based distributor:
petapixel.com
Kodak Professional Photo Chemicals Are Back
Unfortunately, the rebranded Kodak Professional Photo Chemicals will only be available for purchase in Europe.
petapixel.com
Freakscene
Obscure member
Correct, Sino produced the new version which is water-based not glycol based. The old version is not produced by anyone anymore.
Marty