Microphen and HC-110 questions

[RSalles]

Hi all,

Have some questions for the crew:

- How long can I stock Microphen in stock solution, I mean powder diluted as stock
- How long for HC-110 after the plastic bottle is opened
- Where can I find X-tol developer to buy,

Thanks,

Renato

[PWhite214]

I keep 32 oz and 16oz (roughly 1L and 500ml) amber glass bottles with tight sealing lids on hand for developer mixed from powder stock. The caps have a plastic cone for a good seal. I fill the bottles completely full. The goal is to eliminate oxidation.

For any developer as I use stock, I make up the volume in the bottle with clean glass beads so it stays full and refrigerate the partially used bottle.

I put a 6 month limit on developer storage. Pushing the limit a week or two while waiting delivery seems ok. I have rolled short (6 exposure) 35mm rolls to test old chemicals.

Right now I am using LegacyPro L110R (same as HC 110) and XTOL. Both purchased mail order from Freestyle.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

Phil

[RSalles]

Hi, Phil, thanks!

Well, a dark bottle I use it already, the six month stock limit is a good advice, i'll take it.
Freestyle has a lot of film stuff and I like that store but they sucks: they don't freight overseas - at least for the first buy - and they don't accept PayPal, go figure,

Cheers,

Renato

[PWhite214]

You might try Adorama or B&H. Or buy the bulk chemicals and mix your own.

Have you tried EBAY?

Worst case, PM me, I will mail it to you at my cost. I do take Paypal

Edit: I will be on a road trip for a couple of weeks.

Phil

[RSalles]

Phil,

Great, thanks, I'll take a look for X-tol at ebay and send you a PM if i don't find a seller who ship it to me here.
You're a gentleman, I had received already your private message,

Cheers,

Renato

[etorix]

HC-110 after the plastic bottle is opened? watch the color

it starts straw-colored, if it gets to orange it might want a time increase, but darker than orange? fling it, bin it

[moltogordo]

I use a lot of HC110, and have a bottle that was opened, and stored in the dark for over 7 years. I found it, and tried it. Worked just fine. To make sure, load up a bulk roll of HP5, maybe 10 frames, expose it at 400, develop it for 12 minutes at 1:63 - this is the usual dilution and time I use on HP5, and you can judge your developer by the results.

I've found the HC110 syrup, like Rodinal, lasts a long, long time.

However, I'm NOT advising you trust an important roll of film to old, untested syrup!

PS - I keep my HC110 in dark storage. As I'm a bit sloppy, I don't put it in a dark glass bottle, but I should! You can always tell us sloppy and lazy guys - we use high dilutions of Rodie and HC110 so we don't have to time things precisely, and often stand develop so everybody things we're knowledgeable. Works for me!

[RSalles]

I finally bought HC-110 at Freestyle and some small bottles of dark glass - 100, 250cc. Filled all the small bottles with sirup and stored all that in a box, light tight.
Perfect.

Renato