Gast
Hello,
I’ve had a few vials of Neofin Blaue stored in my cellar for about six months. I’d like to keep them for some low-speed films, but at the moment I’m mostly just using 100s and 400s, for which A49 is probably better suited. Could someone please tell me roughly how much longer I can store the vials?
Ole
A few vials from 1985 were still fine last year...
Gast
Hello,
I still have a few vials of Neofin Blaue from before 1964 (the ones that say ‘Agfa Leverkusen’ and ‘Agfa Wolfen’ on them instead of ‘Orwo’); I used them with ADOX back then, but I never really liked it because it was very coarse, so I quickly switched to Leicanol and then to ID 11.
A few years ago, I developed an Efke with it; it developed well enough (although the figures given for ADOX back then were quite different – meaning this isn’t the same as the current developer formula), but the development produced strange clusters of grain and a ‘torn’ image, so I no longer considered it any good.
Roland
Gast
In other words, storing it for another 20 years is fine, but 40 is a bit too long ;-)
Renate
The maximum shelf life depends on the packaging of the Neofin. The old glass ampoules have a longer shelf life than the plastic ones that Tetenal introduced later. I have a few plastic ampoules that are more than 10 years old. The contents have turned a distinct brown colour. I have therefore decided not to use them any more. Recently, Tetenal has started packaging Neofin in glass again, and this seems to last longer. When kept in its original, unopened packaging, it can last for several years.
Best regards, Renate
Gast
Hello,
Just to clarify
I used to use that with ADOX back then, but I never really liked it because it was very coarse; I quickly switched to Leicanol and then to ID 11.
By that I mean Neofin, not Efke/ADOX; I still enjoy using that film today, and I’m actually very happy to have it back
Roland
CPD
Hello,
In his book, Beutler recommends mixing the Neofin with water in a clear glass. If even the slightest cloudiness appears, the developer is ruined – in other words, it has oxidised.
I wouldn’t use such an old developer anyway – but that’s just my personal opinion. Sure, Neofin is quite expensive, but if you prepare the Beutler formula yourself, the cost of a simple beam balance should pay for itself very quickly.
Regards, CP
Gast
Franz,
I don’t normally use a developer from the 1960s, of course, but I was simply curious to see how well it had held up, and the Efke was just the right choice for comparing it with my first ADOX from the sixties.
Otherwise, KB 17, KB50 1+1 and 8 mins Leicanol/ID 11.
Roland
cfb_de
Hi Roland,
Please check your salutation before sending in future <_<
It wasn't *me* :)
Best regards,
Franz
Gast
Franz,
Just to clarify once more: I mistook your initials CFB for CPD, as I unfortunately didn’t pay close enough attention. I hope none of you are offended by this.
Roland
Gast
Thank you for your replies. As I only have my Neofin in small glass vials, I’m sure it will last me a few more years.
