Since these shortages started, I've been trying Foma chemicals. They have equivalents for the common stuff, and I've found the quality to be just fine. Reasonable prices, too.

@jonlouis2582

8 ай бұрын

Same here. I started using their film years ago, and I like that as well.

I'm in Ukraine and I buy my chemistry from a local store that produces it. They make almost everything - from D76 and XTOL to E6, Sovcolor and ECN2 kits. Never had any issues with quality. They ship to Europe.

@killer120070507

8 ай бұрын

Whats the name of the store?

@JPRBOM

8 ай бұрын

What’s name of seller

I will miss T-max developer and fixer the most. I liked the simplicity. These are not like: mix 67 and a third parts of water with one and three quarter parts of developer, at new moon, stirred counterclockwise at 319.15 Kelvin, while having your feet covered in peanut butter 🥜

I don't think Kodak will be missed. There's Ilford, Adox, Foma, Legacy, Bellini, Flic, Moersch and more that will easily fill the gap in the market. You can also easily make your own D76.

@VariTimo

8 ай бұрын

Sad if the Endura papers will be gone though.

@b6983832

8 ай бұрын

@@VariTimo Yes, this is true. Although there is no problem in quality of the higher end Fuji papers, such as DP II and Maxima (European names, Fuji papers have different names in the US market), I would like to see more than one supplier in the market. Then again, I won´t pay the double for Endura compared to Fuji DP II, which was the situation just before Kodak papers disappeared from the market.

@seanc5718

8 ай бұрын

C41 side has much less completion. Really only Fuji and Champion left now when it comes to lab quality chemicals.

@danem2215

8 ай бұрын

I remember when I complained about that garbage Dektol they made a few years ago, they told me to pound sand cause I didn't have the packaging anymore. Meanwhile Ilford sent 7 replacement films for 2 with that mottling issue without an issue. I certainly won't miss Kodak.

Kodak: please manufacture our chemistry for us. Sinopromise: Si! No promise.

@berzerkrobot

8 ай бұрын

I see no promise of this happening.

@frankcameratalk

8 ай бұрын

Sino Promise paid and bought the business at the wrong time and price, got themselves killed. I think Kodak chemicals are still available in US.

All you need is Metol, Sodium Sulphite & Distilled Water and you have D23 which gives pretty good results. Developing times can be long but patience is free. (I like Ilfotech HC for convenience though and will keep using that whilst I can get it. Pretty much the same as HC 110).

the Film Photography Project has their own HC-110 that they sell cheap on their site at least within the US. I feel like at this point there's alternatives to most of their chemistry. really the only thing that's really gone is paper which if I'm going to be honest should not be put on Fuji's shoulders.

The old school thick HC-110 was amazing. I tried a few batches of the 2019 formula (the expired stuff that is still being sold today on B&H) & wasn’t that satisfied, and it went bad in a few months while the old formula always lasted years. Since then switched to Ilfotec HC & DD-X and have been more than happy with that.

Since Kodak chems being gone I've been really enjoying the FPP D96 and D76 options. I am sad that I never got to try HC110 though.

I just switched to Adox’s XTOL variant. And I’m fine using Ilfotec HC instead of HC110.

Illfords DD-X is my go-to and is always readily available. Any take on a shortage of C-41? It seems harder and harder to find in powder kits. C41 Liquid kits seem to expire fast.

I'll admit I'm biased....WHY oh why could the powers that be find someone NOT in CHina to sell to?

US chemicals suddenly turning brown reminds me of the era when pharmaceutical companies stopped producing opioids due to changes in laws and the first cartels came up in Mexico. Suddenly heroin was brown not clear anymore.

Just started using new less viscous HC-110 here in US, and results so far are good 👍

I have had no trouble with D76. I make it with 4 components and a scale.

Bellini labs make a HC formula and a C41 kit (I've used them both). It's time to give the smaller companies a look-in, especially when Kodak are seemingly dragging their dead carcass of a company around.

Freestyle photo Legacy brand has a XTOL, HC-110 and D76 clone. I'm currently on my second bottle of the HC-110 clone (L110) with nice results.

Because of unannounced formula changes, burps in supply chain and economics, I began mixing my developers from bulk chemicals about a decade ago. FX-37, Acutol, Barry Thornton's divided developer, etc. The cost is perhaps 15% of purchasing packaged developers and you know with certainty that the formula has not been changed without notice. I just wish I had the formula for Rodinal of 20 years ago, I've mixed several experts' guesses and they are not the same.

@taylornoel

8 ай бұрын

Any chance you can share those formulas or are they easy to find?

@akirakizu

8 ай бұрын

I would also be interested in mixing my own developers. do you have any documentation of the formulas / process?

@moseyape9198

8 ай бұрын

www.youtube.com/@PictorialPlanet/playlists@@akirakizu

@moseyape9198

8 ай бұрын

www.youtube.com/@PictorialPlanet/playlists@@taylornoel

big fan of Xtol here. I have a recipe for it but i haven't try to make it myself yet. i used the HC-110 also and i tried the Bellini HC.Good developer but not exactly the same. I believe Ilford ID-11 is similar to D76

Rumour has it that this original company messed up in realestate and went bankrupted, so now everyone is on rampage trying to be the next manufacturer. Hence all the marketing & sales related things are on hold now.

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

Would be great if it happens and we see someone make them again. As much as there are alternatives, Kodak still holds a strong brand and history.

I really miss kodaks flexicolor chemistry, now days I use chemistry Konica-Minolta that seems similar to kodaks developer.

well, we have d76 from adox and hc110 ilford. Best photoflow alternative?

Kodak chemicals have always been available in China, and the latest batch is produced in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

Thats really interesting. Wonder if they moved production and maybe its just a dip in production.

Thanks for the video Nico! Very good topic, I think Kodak may be cutting production or possibly ending it? I think that Kodak said that they will commit to making film until at least 2028. I believe we should support those that are dedicated to film photography, but, if they are not, I would rather buy products from Ilford and Foma etc.

@teleaddict23

8 ай бұрын

Kodak will make film ‘as long as there is demand’ is what they said and the deal with Alaris runs through to 2028. That doesn’t mean they stop making film then. That’s when they will renew the Alaris agreement or not, but considering they say the demand for film is growing, I think the future is safe for now.

@thomasa.243

8 ай бұрын

​@@teleaddict23yes, especially cinema film will be available for a long time in the future. That is relatively certain. With respect to film designed specifically for photography, yeah, it may be fragile. With black and white, I see no problem. It is relatively easy to also do for smaller manufacturers, developers are mostly simple and Rodinal will probably stay for another 100 years. Colour, hmm, yeah... Professional medium format film was crucial for the survival of it until today but with new digital Fujifilm GFX or Hasselblad, yeah, difficult....

@teleaddict23

8 ай бұрын

@@thomasa.243 Professional medium format digital cameras cost an absolute fortune and there are a lot of people out there who will always prefer to shoot medium format film. Medium format film is certainly not under any threat because Fuji and Hasselblad have new digital alternatives.

@thomasa.243

8 ай бұрын

@@teleaddict23 but they pay for themselves in the professional context. It saves you time and money in the (not so) long run.

@teleaddict23

8 ай бұрын

@@thomasa.243 You could say that about any digital camera. You’re pretty much arguing why we should all give up film for digital on a video about film photography. Why do you think we all shoot film? A couple of new digital cameras is hardly likely to tempt them away from it.

i've been truly terrified at the thought that one day these chemicals will slowly disapear as the world is going more and more digital. especially for darkroom printing as even the resurgence of film lately has chosen scanning as it's end goal rather than darkroom work. I feel like one day film will be extinct whether we want it or not simply by the fact that it's 1. complicated and 2. involved a lot of chemicals that might not be great for environment. I hope i'm wrong. i dont mind shooting digital but i dont want film to go away

I've totally missed Kodak RA4 paper. I've only seen darkroom prints on that paper and they looked better (to my personal taste) than prints on Fuji ra4 paper. It's sad that it's all gone now.

@b6983832

8 ай бұрын

There is Fuji paper and there is Fuji paper. Don´t compare Endura (Kodak´s premium paper) with the cheapest Fuji Crystal Archive. Comparison should be made with DPII or Maxima (names for the European market. In US, Fuji papers have different names I am not familiar with). Ready-cut sheets are often made from rolls of the cheapest (and worst) paper available. The higher end Fuji papers are of good quality, but the cheap paper is not.

I'm happy as long as I can get ilford multigrade, adox rodinal. And fujihunt c41. I didn't realise anyone still used kodak chemistry anymore?❤

I’m certain the formula exists somewhere online, buy the raw Chemicals and mix.

Labs got a head's up sometime in the spring that items like Flexicolor C-41 chemistry would be discontinued along with all consumer products. Fuji committed to 'continue producing chemistry and paper' earlier this year, even in the absence of film- perhaps in light of this. Tetenal went under in spite of the best efforts of some, thankfully it hasn't been the photochemical-apocalypse it seemed like it would/could be back in 2019 during their insolvency period. Adox has committed themselves to certain popular products like D-76 and XTOL, but they are very boutique and not so capable of producing powered chemistry on an industrial level vs. something coming out of Rochester. Thank goodness that they do anything in this realm (really grateful) but since Sino/Kodak stopped manufacturing, Adox alternatives have been very hard to obtain. Yes, anyone with Metol, Hydroquinone, Sodium Sulfite and Borax can make D-76 (or many other developers for that matter), but there are lot of people for whom an off-the-shelf product (whether in smaller or higher volumes) is the easiest/only solution. It's not the end of the world for consumers, but for other aspects of the photochemical industry it's a different story.

Sh** i didn't see this coming. I use almost exclusively hc 110 but havent bought any for 18 months. Does ilford hc have the same dev times?

From many of your videos I extract a concern for the future of analogue photography, something I share. From your videos I notice that "hey, yes, we do a lot of analogue photo now, but I don't know how long you can doubt that: there are no new cameras, little film and very expensive, expensive labs, there are no chemicals, etc..."

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

You are not wrong, the industry is fragile and ever changing. But I try to show what is happening as it concerns me and think its good to know and support brands we want to see in the future. But film isnt going anywhere.

As you say Nico, support and invest in other players that produce. I started using Bellini chemicals both for bw and Color and never looked back to Kodak or Fuji chemistry. They deserve all the support :)

Kodak D-76 is still available from B&H. It's the only developer I've ever used, despite my intense dislike for Kodak as a company I don't have any desire to change yet.

Alright, so I just started with 4x5 and therefore with home dev. What products should I buy if HC is not available? Thanks in advance

@b6983832

8 ай бұрын

Where do you live? If in EU, try Bellini Euro HC, Ilford Ilfotech HC or the new Fotoimpex 110. These are all clones of Kodak HC.110.

Unfortunately a “local store” for anything film related doesn’t exist where I’m located, so I’m constantly searching for sources of developing chemistry. Over the years I’ve “stocked up” on D-76, HC110, Dektol, Xtol and other Kodak chemicals. So I’ll be ok for a while, but as everyone knows, fresh chemicals are best. 🤞

@b6983832

8 ай бұрын

Many of those are powders, and their shelf life is practically unlimited in unopened containers. HC-110 is also known for keeping for a long time.

@flyingo

8 ай бұрын

@@b6983832 agreed! I recently used unopened can of old D-76.. I think the can was from the late 50s early 60s, and everything worked like it was almost new. Most of what I have, except for the HC110 is in powder form.

Ilford clearly has the strongest commitment to b/w film photography.

All kodak chemicals appeared in stock on bhphoto. And xtol and hc110 and t-max dev. And they have been available in China for the past year

@stefan_becker

8 ай бұрын

And there are "clones" of them like Adox XT-3 and so on.

As long as TRI-X survives .. all I need is Rodinal and Adox seems to do a lovely job of that :)

Fotoimpex has their own Version of HC-110 now which they say "is identical to the developer Kodak last sold under the name HC 110 (since 2020)" and sell under the name FOTOIMPEX 110 Professional

@wotajared

8 ай бұрын

Sh1t, this is actually very important! Took a look and it seems to be very similar to the "original" syroupy HC110. Interestingly made in US and bottled by Fotoimpex, with the parallel of not being named ADOX. Anyways I moved to XT3 which unlike XTOL never came in 1L and has some improvements.My 2019 HC110 is still well alive, lovely long lasting developer. B&W overall has alternatives... The big issue with unavailable Kodak chemicals is much more on the Colour side. On a more informal discussion, some labs do say it proves challenges.

Everybody keeps commenting on b&w stuff, but the real problem here is the disappearance of Flexicolor c-41 chemicals. Now we’re down to only Fuji and Champion for lab quality/quantity chemistry.

Legacy Pro makes Kodak chemistry clones, but I've by and large moved over to Ilford but will be using a Canadian made D76 clone. Alaris made the dumb decision to outsource to Sino Promise back in 2019-20. As for HC110, I've moved over to Ilfotec HC which is for all intents and purposes British HC110.

Adox has a new HC110 Fotoimpex 110

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

I hadnt seen this yet. Thats awesome news.

@fernandovillava

8 ай бұрын

@@NicosPhotographyShow Gracias Nico por tu esfuerzo con tus videos.

@thomasa.243

8 ай бұрын

​@@NicosPhotographyShowIt actually says on the webpage that they buy the HC110 from the "original manufacturer in the US" (whatever this means) until there will be a new HC110 from Kodak again.

If there ever is a problem with Ilford supply then we will really be in trouble. IMO Ilford are the most important company for B+W film photography.

@Habs8691

8 ай бұрын

Truer words were never spoken

Hey Nico, do you happen to have a PayPal account? I was going to contribute via KZread's Super Thanks system, but I don't do Google Pay.

I haven't touched Kodak stuff for ages, I try and support Ilford and Adox, or I make up my own photo chemicals.

@mrtimtom2631

8 ай бұрын

Make up your own photo chemicals? How 😂

@richardjames3022

8 ай бұрын

@@mrtimtom2631 By purchasing the raw chemicals and following instructions in books like the 'Darkroom Cookbook' series of old Ilford/Agfa manuals.

@TomS_FoX

8 ай бұрын

silveronplastic.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/the-darkroom-cookbook-3rd-ed-s-anchell-elsevier-2008-ww.pdf @@mrtimtom2631

@TomS_FoX

8 ай бұрын

with these books you should have all the info you need @@mrtimtom2631

Anybody have any inside info about Kodak Endura RA-4 paper? Is it likely to be gone forever?

@seanc5718

8 ай бұрын

Unique Photo just put a batch up for sale, but the production date is 9/2022.

ECO PRO have some Kodak clone chemicals like Xtol

B&H photo sells HC110 $35

Certainly is a shame to see this. Xtol and D76-like developers have been a staple in my darkroom. Luckily when the inconsistencies with Xtol started, I began mixing my own and that's what people should look into. The main tragedy is colour home developing, which is in a very dire state ever since the trouble with Tetenal started...

Some know if there is an alternative to Kodak XTOL?

@JenniferM13

8 ай бұрын

Yes, Adox XT-3. I've switched to it, basically a copy of Xtol but with a few 'improvements' and available in smaller quantities too.

@michaelrasmussen3347

8 ай бұрын

@@JenniferM13 Unfortunately XT-3 is sold out in Europe. I found this one which should be comparable to XTOL both in functionality and price and is available plentiful: FOMADON EXCEL 🙂

@jakobolszewski6034

8 ай бұрын

Foma Fomadon Excel is the same stuff

@mynewcolour

8 ай бұрын

Bellini EcoDev (it’s a liquid version).

Can't they at least open source the formula?

Face it everyone, the Great Yellow God is dead. Once my stock of Tri-X is gone I'll be moving over to HP5 which is now half the price of Tri-X.

Go for ilford HC instead of 110? I believe its very similar

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

Cant seem to find it in Europe now.

@4smilerko

8 ай бұрын

@@NicosPhotographyShow macodirect still has them in stock

@kb5ql

8 ай бұрын

Currently $92 for 1L for Ilford HC at B&H 😢

@jw48335

8 ай бұрын

​​@@NicosPhotographyShowI think the more interesting thing here is the lab chemistry - TMAX RS. I've asked my lab what they're going to be changing to and they are unsure at this point. The owner said they have enough chemicals to last about six more weeks. Personally I expect they will have to recalibrate to do Ilfotec DD.

@CalumetVideo

8 ай бұрын

@@jw48335wow!

glad the film itself wasn't made in China! Would have to give up using Kodak

Just another reason why Alairis needs to get sold off immediately to a proper firm.

Local store? What is that? None left here a city of 200.000 people.

Just make your own D23 and Replenisher. Thank me later ;-)

I live near the US headquarters. Kodak can go pound sand and rocks.

If you're developing by hand you can fall back on other developers. For the rest of us all that matters is what the labs do.

So many other options; why get hung up on Kodak?

@rickschricter

8 ай бұрын

Because all the labs at least in NYC use XTOL or D76. Been this way for decades.

@mike747436

8 ай бұрын

Ah ok, I develop at home so have a choice.

Alaris no ha ayudado nada al sector últimamente con sus decisiones.

Film is dying….

@NicosPhotographyShow

8 ай бұрын

Its dead.

@alvarovp

8 ай бұрын

@@NicosPhotographyShow😢