Leaving Kodak for Ilford paper developer

[Fred V]

Today I mixed yet another contaminated (brown) batch of Kodak Dektol. I finally reached a point of frustration which is driving me to try an Ilford paper developer. I primarily print on Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe. Any suggestions on an Ilford product similar to Dektol.

I appreciate your help.

[Molli]

I went from Ilford Multigrade Paper Developer (Diluted 1+9) to mixing my own D72 (Dektol) 1+2 purely because it costs me so much to ship liquids.
I'm merely an amateur hobbyist, but I can't see any difference between the two.

[paulbarden]

Like you, I won't buy Dektol again, after the mess "Kodak" made of their chemistry in recent times. I'm making my own ID-78 (a warm tone developer) from scratch now. Its cheap and easy.

[Tin Can]

I like PQ

[Michael Graves]

It isn't just Kodak. I've had to have the last two orders of 130 paper developer I purchased from Photographer's formulary replaced because on adding the last ingredient to the mix from their lot, it turned an opaque black.

[Renato Tonelli]

It isn't just Kodak. I've had to have the last two orders of 130 paper developer I purchased from Photographer's formulary replaced because on adding the last ingredient to the mix from their lot, it turned an opaque black.

I suspect that the Glycin was too old (discolored); I have several kits (3+ years old) of it but I need to replace the discolored Glycin with freshly bought Glycin. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless.

[Michael R]

Ilford Multigrade will produce virtually identical results on most papers, as will Bromophen.

Today I mixed yet another contaminated (brown) batch of Kodak Dektol. I finally reached a point of frustration which is driving me to try an Ilford paper developer. I primarily print on Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe. Any suggestions on an Ilford product similar to Dektol.

I appreciate your help.

[Bernice Loui]

Get a copy of M&M Photo LAB index, ring bound edition.
Lots of GOOD useful information and collection of Developer and MUCH more formula (recipe) to mix up as needed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22448228324...EAAOSwIitgto5w

Great advantage to mixing your own darkroom chemistry from powdered chemistry, it is always fresh at the volume of chemistry needed to do the volume of processing needed. Waste reduction and known fresh-good chemistry. Mixing your own is NOT that difficult, if powdered chemistry can be mixed from a bag, mixing the entire chemistry is not that much more difficult.

Get a gram scale, basic lab glassware (500mL & 1000mL beaker/ flask) magnetic stirring plate with magnetic teflon stirring bar, basic set of powdered chemistry.

Having done this for decades, it works far better than purchasing bags of chemistry or bottles of developers that go bad when least expected.


Bernice

Today I mixed yet another contaminated (brown) batch of Kodak Dektol. I finally reached a point of frustration which is driving me to try an Ilford paper developer. I primarily print on Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe. Any suggestions on an Ilford product similar to Dektol.

I appreciate your help.

[PRJ]

Just start mixing it yourself. Easy to do. Just need a scale and some chems. You will never have to worry about it again.

My main developer for the last decade or so has been ID78 to which Paul has given a link above. I also mix up other developers at times. Last night I mixed up E72 which is a phenidone/ascorbic acid developer.

I was never fond of Dektol. The tones always looked off to me. Too greenish.

[Jim Noel]

Just don't buy too much Metol at once. It is the ingredient that oxidizes, turns brown and stinks. I often use it when it has turned tan, but if dark brown, out it goes.