Powered Metol & Sodium Sulfite Shelf Life

[Flauvius]

What is the self life of an unopened plastic bottle of metol? Also, does sodium sulfite in an unopened plastic bottle eventually "go bad"?

Also, what are the signs of "bad" metol and sodium sulfite?

Thanks,

Flauvius

[Jim Noel]

Metol will begin to turn tan almost immediately after opening. I keep mine in brown glass to reduce oxidation. It is still good until it is a rather dark brown. I used to put nitrogen on top of it prior to closing the jar, but I have found that unnecessary over the last few years.

I have never had sodium sulfite go bad. I buy it 25 lbs at a time and it comes in a paper bag.

[bob carnie]

Jim do you have a source for Metol in large quantity??

[mikezvi]

Is Power Metol what photography nerds rock out to?

[bob carnie]

I take your making a joke..

I use a lot of metol and the prices are high here in Canada.
if you know of a place to purchase quantity with good prices I am all ears.

Is Power Metol what photography nerds rock out to?

[victorknotzel]

I can't seem to find these ingredients anywhere, it would be lovely if you knew a source!

[Flauvius]

Victor:

The Photographers' Formulary sells both of these items, just Google the name and you will find their web site.

Flauvius

[JBelthoff]

I can't seem to find these ingredients anywhere, it would be lovely if you knew a source!

There are at least three sources in the US that specialize in photo chemicals. They are:


Artcraft Chemicals
Photographers Formulary (http://stores.photoformulary.com/StoreFront.bok)
Bostik & Sullivan (http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/)


It's a good idea to shop all three but I have to say I'm partial to Artcraft. Could be because I am so close to them and I get my order in a day or two... ;)

[Kevin Crisp]

Sodium sulfite even in an opened container with a lid on it will last essentially forever.

[bob carnie]

I am getting a quote right now for 25lbs of metol from Artcraft will report how they fair compared to my local supplier.

[photoevangelist]

I can't seem to find these ingredients anywhere, it would be lovely if you knew a source!

I had a problem here in Korea. For one I'm not, Korean and the language is not my first one. Finally after 12 years living here and asking others to help me find chemicals, I finally stumble across one within a few kilometers of my apartment! You just need to find a place that sells chemical powders. Importing can be expensive. Google it in your language, I'm sure there is a source.

[Ed Bray]

Silverprint in the UK sell individual chemicals but they are pricey compared to chemical suppliers. If you can find the chemical name for what you want it can be considerably cheaper, for example Sodium Carbonate (Anhydrous) from Silverprint 500g = £4.19 whereas from a chemical supplier 25kgs of Light Sodium Carbonate (anhydrous) was £5.20 plus VAT.

[victorknotzel]

There are at least three sources in the US that specialize in photo chemicals. They are:


Artcraft Chemicals
Photographers Formulary (http://stores.photoformulary.com/StoreFront.bok)
Bostik & Sullivan (http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/)


It's a good idea to shop all three but I have to say I'm partial to Artcraft. Could be because I am so close to them and I get my order in a day or two... ;)

Thank you John! Artcraft chemical will not ship to denmark, but the two others do! :D

[Doremus Scudder]

Victor,

Try here: http://www.omikron-online.de/lshop,showrub,13267,d,1257685937-13267,feinchemikalien,,,,.htm
I'm not sure how the prices compare, but they are certainly closer to you.

There are a lot of mail-order photo shops in Germany. I'm surprised that you can't source from one of them. Maybe try searching on other names. Metol is a trade name as are Elon and Temal.

Here's the full chemical info from Omikron:

Synonyme Bezeichnungen: 4-Methylamino-phenol-sulfat, 4-Monomethylaminophenolsulfat, Temal, Elon, Metol pro Photo; engl. 4-(Methylamino)phenol hemisulfate salt *
C14H20N2O6S * CAS-Nr. [55-55-0] * EG-Nr.: 200-237-1 (EINECS) * BRN: 3919382 * Molmasse/F.W.: 344,39 g/mol

Maybe that will help you source closer to home.

Best,

Doremus