These Photos Were Processed In Kodak’s New HC110 In Spite of The Product’s Single Flaw

In early 2019, the film community was pretty stressed out, and with good reason. The nearly two century old chemical manufacturer, Tetenal appeared close to shutting down. Many photographers have probably never even heard of this company, but Tetenal has been "the man behind the curtain" for many of Kodak's products for decades.

The product that Tetenal made that is close to the heart of my work was Kodak HC110, a classic, flexible b&w film developer that is ideal for producing high acutance negatives and push processing while retaining detail.

The possibility of running out of HC110 and having to adopt a new go-to developer was a scary proposition with paid photography work lined up for 2019. Though I'm not a fan of panic-buying, I decided to stock up on Catalog #501-0541 HC110 to get in front of any shortages.

I breathed a sigh of relief when, before the end of 2019, Kodak released a new HC110 formula to address the Tetenal supply interruption and probably other economic reasons.

But how would this new HC110 differ from the old one?

I bought three or four bottles of the new HC110 formula Catalog #105-8692 from Film Photography Project shortly after reading Leslie Lazenby's confidence-instilling article regarding her preliminary testing. While I encourage everyone to read her detailed report, for the purposes of this article, spoiler alert, Leslie concluded that there was no practical difference in the formulae. This new HC110 can be used at precisely the same times and temperatures at the old HC110.

Left to Right: A spent bottle of NEW HC110, My last bottle of OLD HC110 and an unopened bottle of NEW HC110 | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

The old HC110 Catalog #501-0541 has been being made in Germany, in a translucent squared off 1 liter bottle for about as long as Kodak Alaris has been in charge. This formula so far as I know, had been the same for decades. Film shooters recognize it for having a pronounced yellow color and maple syrupy viscosity.

The new Catalog #105-8692 HC110 is made in the United States and is not syrupy at all - it's pretty watery. And it's color is also not bright yellow. The new HC110 presents like an untrustworthy direct replacement because it looks and pours very differently. But, I trusted Leslie's findings and Kodak's commitment to the film community!

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

During the COVID lockdowns of 2020, with slower business, I took the opportunity to finally crack open this mysterious new HC110 and be sure that it rang true for my particular workflow.

I use HC110 Dilution B primarily with Kodak TMAX 100, Tri-X 400 at both 400 and 1600, and TMAX P3200 at 6400. So the goal was to try the new HC110 with all these and make no changes in how I normally process. Below are my usual times and temps, which I applied to use with the new HC110.

Kodak TMAX 100 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 7 minutes

Kodak Tri-X 400 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 7.5 minutes

Kodak Tri-X 400 at EL 1600 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 16 minutes

Kodak TMAX P3200 at EL 6400 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 11.5 minutes

Now, I didn't go to the trouble of processing side-by-side sample images in both the old and new developer but I am confident that after nearly two decades of use, I understand how HC110 performs to notice an appreciable difference.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

I can happily say that, like Leslie, I saw absolutely zero differences in my results with this watery new American HC110. There are, however, a few differences in use that I'd like to discuss.

The first thing, of course, is the viscosity. Those of us who spent years using HC110 might have an odd emotional attachment to the syrup, but in all reality, the new HC110 pours and mixes faster and probably more thoroughly. There is no more up-ending the bottle and waiting tediously for the very last drops to fall into the graduate. Working with the new HC110 is more like working with liquid Kodafix or Stop in regards to its viscosity. This isn't a big deal but it's a small advantage in my eyes.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr 1930 Leica III | Leitz 5cm f2 Summar | Kodak Tri-X 400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

The other difference that I found is a bit of a concern.

I burned through a couple bottles of the new HC110 during the spring and summer of 2020 as I churned through some backlog and new personal images, continuing to do client work in old HC110. Everything went smoothly.

I opened a bottle of the new Catalog #105-8692 HC110 on February 13th, 2021. I used it for a few sessions that continued to go smoothly. But then, on May 4th, 2021, about three cold/cool months since I opened this bottle (manufactured 08/10/2020 with an expiration date of 08/2022, Batch #11697), I first noticed something odd.

I picked up the bottle of new HC110 and heard a light clinking in the bottom of the bottle that sounded like ice cubes in a drink. I looked and could see some white/yellow/brown chunks of crystal settled in the bottle.

I was careful not to pour the crystals into my graduate, allowing them to collect at the neck area of the bottle without actually coming out. This method worked fine and the film that I processed came out just as it should.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak Tri-X 400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

I did a little reading and found that some other folks have had this issue and others have not. In fact, Leslie's original article didn't mention them. I reached out to her to see if she had these elusive, mysterious HC110 crystals by now also.

" Yes I have them. I warmed the bottle and much of it dissolved back into the solution, but not all. I suspect they will come back as it sits and cools. I usually give the bottle one gentle inversion before use and they immediately went to the bottom and since I draw my chemistry from the top [using a syringe] it is not a bother. Rather than filter them out I would leave them there."

Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 AIS | Kodak Tri-X 400 rated at & processed for 1600 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

Elsewhere I read that the Kodak Alaris customer support told inquiring folks that the crystals are comprised of potassium salt and are not a problem so long as they do not leave the bottle. I decided to reach out to Michael Seaberg of Kodak's chemical division, SinoPromise Group. I told Mr. Seaberg about my recent experience, to which he replied:

" We have advised other customers that the product is ok to use by decanting the liquid, and it is good you found this by your own testing. We think the issue is solved in our newer batches but need extended keeping time to confirm."

I asked if there was some way that film shooters could identify if their HC110 might be affected by crystal formation.

" I checked on [your] batch number [Batch #11697] which was made in August 2020. We made an adjustment after this batch so batches with expiration of 08/2022 or earlier, under certain conditions, could crystallize. The next batch we made has an expiration of 11/2022 and we have made three more batches thus far in 2021 (with expiration dates of 2023)."

Nikon F2sb | Nikkor 50mm 1.4 S.C. Pre-AI |Kodak TMAX P3200 rated at & processed for 6400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr Nikon F2sb | Nikkor 50mm 1.4 S.C. Pre-AI | Kodak TMAX P3200 rated at & processed for 6400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

Feeling pretty confident with my tests on personal photos, I went ahead and began processing client photos with the new HC110, both before and after crystal formation. The photos featured in this article were all processed with a bottle of HC110 AFTER the crystals had formed. Yet all my results have been excellent and consistent - insofar as the development anyway. The photographer, however, could always use some improvement!

But my point is, if you have some New HC110, are considering buying it, or have already found crystals in your bottle, don 't panic! It's alright! Kodak is taking care of it and your photos will turn out wonderfully.

I'll look forward to a crystal-free New HC110 and am happy to hear that Kodak are aware of the issue and have worked to resolve it. I'd be curious if you have found crystals in your new HC110 and what it's expiration is. Or if you share my opinions about its reliability or not. In any case, hopefully these photos and comments will instill some confidence for those who have been questioning the change to their classic Kodak developer.

Thanks for reading and happy shooting!

_Follow, Favorite, Like, Add, Insult, ContactJohnny Martyr _

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“Alexa, Process My Film!”

If you’re okay with giving inconceivable amounts and forms of personal information to Big Data, you may as well use your smart voice assistant to help you process your film too! And while there are no consumer AI's that have hands yet, they are still willing to help film photographers the best that they can.

My household is spied on by Alexa via several Amazon Echo Dots, standing alone or feeding vacuum tube amplifiers. But I'm sure that Google, Siri, Bigsby and Cortina are just as capable - of film processing, not spying. Well, that too.

3rd Generation Amazon Echo Dot - Nikon Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

So, what do I use Alexa for in terms of processing, exactly? The most useful thing, among a laundry list, is that I've found she is a very good timing device. In darkrooms, I used one of those common, classic GraLab Model 300's without the enlarger plugged in. At home, I got in the habit of just using the timer built into my oven. But the problem with these is that they inevitably and eventually get caked with fixer crud and need to be cleaned regularly and thoroughly. How many GraLab timers have you seen that are so rusty that they resemble one of Damien Hirst's Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable?

I've found that the hands-free nature of the voice assistant is well-suited for reducing the amount of chemistry that ones fingers tend to shed on belongings while processing.

It's easy. I start pouring, and once my two 5 reel Patterson tanks are filled, I simply say "Alexa, start timer for 10 minutes." Or whatever the amount of time is. She replies "Your timer for 10 minutes is staring now." And the countdown begins.

2nd Generation Amazon Echo Dot with Nobsound MS-10D - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

Amazon Echo app on my iPhone - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

In my kitchen, where I do my processing, I keep a 3rd generation Echo Dot on the windowsill. It's the version with the embedded LED clock display which is critical to catching the agitation times throughout a cycle. If your voice assistant does not have some way of displaying time, this would be a deal-breaker for my recommendation but many of them do now, so I'll submit this consideration for your next voice assistant purchase.

In the same vein as the timer, playing music is made much simpler and cleaner while processing when using a voice assistant. Now I don't need to ruin the face of one of my antique radios with my chemical-dripping fingers. I can just say "Alexa, play songs by the Clash." Or "Alexa, play songs by Matt and Kim." Or "Alexa, play songs by My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult." Or "Alexa, play songs by Veruca Salt." Alexa can even play music from bands that I haven't photographed or written about!

Oh, and you can also play your favorite film photography podcasts too. Or even order more film "Alexa, order more Tri-X!" (Though, I actually advocate buying from Film Photography Project instead.)

2nd Generation Amazon Echo Dot with 1939 Zenith 7s363 - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

Smart assistants are also great for doing math and conversions that one sometimes needs while processing. Ounces to milliliters, Fahrenheit to Celsius, etc. You can even text notes to your phone to mark what dates particular chemistry was mixed or how many rolls you've processed since making a particular solution etc. It's also handy to answer the phone or door hands free, without interrupting processing. If you use one of those cool Beseler motorized film agitators, maybe you could hook it up to a smart switch and tell Alexa to turn it on every 30 seconds. And if you have an iRobot Braava, Alexa can also mop the chemicals off your floor after you're through with processing. The possibilities are as endless as your analog imagination! Though I have yet to see any film-specific skills in the Alexa app. Who will be the first to write one? It seems like connecting the Massive Development Chart would be useful.

When it comes time to scan and edit, you can be sure Alexa is there to keep me entertained and informed too. No need to waste any processor power from the computer I'm scanning with. And if I'm scheduling clients while working, I can ask "Alexa, what is on my calendar?" or "Alexa, what time is sunset?" without taking a break from cloning dust!

Forth Generation Amazon Echo Dot with my 1960's AGFA light box - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

So you see, while Alexa isn't quite ready to feed you a sandwich and squeegee your film for you as Charlie Chaplin may have envisioned…

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times

…she is ready to start working alongside luddite film shooters towards a cleaner kitchen and a loving embrace of our robotic, cloud-based futures.

Recently, I even upgraded my refrigerator so that I can watch Matt Osborne aka Mr. Leica videos while I process.

Matt Osborne aka Mr. Leica on my Alexa-enabled Samsung Smart Fridge - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

What smart assistant tasks do you recommend? What heavy film camera would be best to bludgeon Alexa with?

Thanks for reading and happy shooting!

_Follow, Favorite, Like, Add, Insult, ContactJohnny Martyr _

#accessoryreviews #filmphotography #martyrmusings #tipstricksadvice #120film #120filmportraits #35mmfilm #55micro #alexa #amazon #amazonecho #amazonechodot #apple #artificialintelligence #cortina #darkroomtimer #film #filmdeveloping #filmdevelopingathome #filmdevelopingtimer #filmdevelopingtips #filmphotographypodcast #filmprocessing #filmprocessingathome #filmprocessingtimer #filmprocessingtips #filmtimer #fm2n #google #googlehome #heygoogle #heysiri #kodak #kodaktrix1600 #mattosborne #microsoft #mrleica #nikon #samsung #samsungalexa #samsungsmarthub #samsungsmartrefrigerator #samsungsmartthings #siri #smartassistant #smartspeaker #smartvoiceassistant #trix #voiceassistant

“Alexa, Process My Film!”

If you’re okay with giving inconceivable amounts and forms of personal information to Big Data, you may as well use your smart voice assistant to help you process your film too! And while there are no consumer AI's that have hands yet, they are still willing to help film photographers the best that they can.

My household is spied on by Alexa via several Amazon Echo Dots, standing alone or feeding vacuum tube amplifiers. But I'm sure that Google, Siri, Bigsby and Cortina are just as capable - of film processing, not spying. Well, that too.

3rd Generation Amazon Echo Dot - Nikon Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

So, what do I use Alexa for in terms of processing, exactly? The most useful thing, among a laundry list, is that I've found she is a very good timing device. In darkrooms, I used one of those common, classic GraLab Model 300's without the enlarger plugged in. At home, I got in the habit of just using the timer built into my oven. But the problem with these is that they inevitably and eventually get caked with fixer crud and need to be cleaned regularly and thoroughly. How many GraLab timers have you seen that are so rusty that they resemble one of Damien Hirst's Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable?

I've found that the hands-free nature of the voice assistant is well-suited for reducing the amount of chemistry that ones fingers tend to shed on belongings while processing.

It's easy. I start pouring, and once my two 5 reel Patterson tanks are filled, I simply say "Alexa, start timer for 10 minutes." Or whatever the amount of time is. She replies "Your timer for 10 minutes is staring now." And the countdown begins.

2nd Generation Amazon Echo Dot with Nobsound MS-10D - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

Amazon Echo app on my iPhone - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

In my kitchen, where I do my processing, I keep a 3rd generation Echo Dot on the windowsill. It's the version with the embedded LED clock display which is critical to catching the agitation times throughout a cycle. If your voice assistant does not have some way of displaying time, this would be a deal-breaker for my recommendation but many of them do now, so I'll submit this consideration for your next voice assistant purchase.

In the same vein as the timer, playing music is made much simpler and cleaner while processing when using a voice assistant. Now I don't need to ruin the face of one of my antique radios with my chemical-dripping fingers. I can just say "Alexa, play songs by the Clash." Or "Alexa, play songs by Matt and Kim." Or "Alexa, play songs by My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult." Or "Alexa, play songs by Veruca Salt." Alexa can even play music from bands that I haven't photographed or written about!

Oh, and you can also play your favorite film photography podcasts too. Or even order more film "Alexa, order more Tri-X!" (Though, I actually advocate buying from Film Photography Project instead.)

2nd Generation Amazon Echo Dot with 1939 Zenith 7s363 - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

Smart assistants are also great for doing math and conversions that one sometimes needs while processing. Ounces to milliliters, Fahrenheit to Celsius, etc. You can even text notes to your phone to mark what dates particular chemistry was mixed or how many rolls you've processed since making a particular solution etc. It's also handy to answer the phone or door hands free, without interrupting processing. If you use one of those cool Beseler motorized film agitators, maybe you could hook it up to a smart switch and tell Alexa to turn it on every 30 seconds. And if you have an iRobot Braava, Alexa can also mop the chemicals off your floor after you're through with processing. The possibilities are as endless as your analog imagination! Though I have yet to see any film-specific skills in the Alexa app. Who will be the first to write one? It seems like connecting the Massive Development Chart would be useful.

When it comes time to scan and edit, you can be sure Alexa is there to keep me entertained and informed too. No need to waste any processor power from the computer I'm scanning with. And if I'm scheduling clients while working, I can ask "Alexa, what is on my calendar?" or "Alexa, what time is sunset?" without taking a break from cloning dust!

Forth Generation Amazon Echo Dot with my 1960's AGFA light box - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

So you see, while Alexa isn't quite ready to feed you a sandwich and squeegee your film for you as Charlie Chaplin may have envisioned…

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times

…she is ready to start working alongside luddite film shooters towards a cleaner kitchen and a loving embrace of our robotic, cloud-based futures.

Recently, I even upgraded my refrigerator so that I can watch Matt Osborne aka Mr. Leica videos while I process.

Matt Osborne aka Mr. Leica on my Alexa-enabled Samsung Smart Fridge - Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 Micro AIS | Kodak Tri-X @ 1600 | Kodak HC110b

What smart assistant tasks do you recommend? What heavy film camera would be best to bludgeon Alexa with?

Thanks for reading and happy shooting!

_Follow, Favorite, Like, Add, Insult, ContactJohnny Martyr _

#accessoryreviews #filmphotography #martyrmusings #tipstricksadvice #120film #120filmportraits #35mmfilm #55micro #alexa #amazon #amazonecho #amazonechodot #apple #artificialintelligence #cortina #darkroomtimer #film #filmdeveloping #filmdevelopingathome #filmdevelopingtimer #filmdevelopingtips #filmphotographypodcast #filmprocessing #filmprocessingathome #filmprocessingtimer #filmprocessingtips #filmtimer #fm2n #google #googlehome #heygoogle #heysiri #kodak #kodaktrix1600 #mattosborne #microsoft #mrleica #nikon #samsung #samsungalexa #samsungsmarthub #samsungsmartrefrigerator #samsungsmartthings #siri #smartassistant #smartspeaker #smartvoiceassistant #trix #voiceassistant

These Photos Were Processed In Kodak’s New HC110 In Spite of The Product’s Single Flaw

In early 2019, the film community was pretty stressed out, and with good reason. The nearly two century old chemical manufacturer, Tetenal appeared close to shutting down. Many photographers have probably never even heard of this company, but Tetenal has been "the man behind the curtain" for many of Kodak's products for decades.

The product that Tetenal made that is close to the heart of my work was Kodak HC110, a classic, flexible b&w film developer that is ideal for producing high acutance negatives and push processing while retaining detail.

The possibility of running out of HC110 and having to adopt a new go-to developer was a scary proposition with paid photography work lined up for 2019. Though I'm not a fan of panic-buying, I decided to stock up on Catalog #501-0541 HC110 to get in front of any shortages.

I breathed a sigh of relief when, before the end of 2019, Kodak released a new HC110 formula to address the Tetenal supply interruption and probably other economic reasons.

But how would this new HC110 differ from the old one?

I bought three or four bottles of the new HC110 formula Catalog #105-8692 from Film Photography Project shortly after reading Leslie Lazenby's confidence-instilling article regarding her preliminary testing. While I encourage everyone to read her detailed report, for the purposes of this article, spoiler alert, Leslie concluded that there was no practical difference in the formulae. This new HC110 can be used at precisely the same times and temperatures at the old HC110.

Left to Right: A spent bottle of NEW HC110, My last bottle of OLD HC110 and an unopened bottle of NEW HC110 | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

The old HC110 Catalog #501-0541 has been being made in Germany, in a translucent squared off 1 liter bottle for about as long as Kodak Alaris has been in charge. This formula so far as I know, had been the same for decades. Film shooters recognize it for having a pronounced yellow color and maple syrupy viscosity.

The new Catalog #105-8692 HC110 is made in the United States and is not syrupy at all - it's pretty watery. And it's color is also not bright yellow. The new HC110 presents like an untrustworthy direct replacement because it looks and pours very differently. But, I trusted Leslie's findings and Kodak's commitment to the film community!

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

During the COVID lockdowns of 2020, with slower business, I took the opportunity to finally crack open this mysterious new HC110 and be sure that it rang true for my particular workflow.

I use HC110 Dilution B primarily with Kodak TMAX 100, Tri-X 400 at both 400 and 1600, and TMAX P3200 at 6400. So the goal was to try the new HC110 with all these and make no changes in how I normally process. Below are my usual times and temps, which I applied to use with the new HC110.

Kodak TMAX 100 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 7 minutes

Kodak Tri-X 400 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 7.5 minutes

Kodak Tri-X 400 at EL 1600 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 16 minutes

Kodak TMAX P3200 at EL 6400 - Kodak HC110 Dilution B at 68 ° F for 11.5 minutes

Now, I didn't go to the trouble of processing side-by-side sample images in both the old and new developer but I am confident that after nearly two decades of use, I understand how HC110 performs to notice an appreciable difference.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

I can happily say that, like Leslie, I saw absolutely zero differences in my results with this watery new American HC110. There are, however, a few differences in use that I'd like to discuss.

The first thing, of course, is the viscosity. Those of us who spent years using HC110 might have an odd emotional attachment to the syrup, but in all reality, the new HC110 pours and mixes faster and probably more thoroughly. There is no more up-ending the bottle and waiting tediously for the very last drops to fall into the graduate. Working with the new HC110 is more like working with liquid Kodafix or Stop in regards to its viscosity. This isn't a big deal but it's a small advantage in my eyes.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak TMAX 100 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr 1930 Leica III | Leitz 5cm f2 Summar | Kodak Tri-X 400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

The other difference that I found is a bit of a concern.

I burned through a couple bottles of the new HC110 during the spring and summer of 2020 as I churned through some backlog and new personal images, continuing to do client work in old HC110. Everything went smoothly.

I opened a bottle of the new Catalog #105-8692 HC110 on February 13th, 2021. I used it for a few sessions that continued to go smoothly. But then, on May 4th, 2021, about three cold/cool months since I opened this bottle (manufactured 08/10/2020 with an expiration date of 08/2022, Batch #11697), I first noticed something odd.

I picked up the bottle of new HC110 and heard a light clinking in the bottom of the bottle that sounded like ice cubes in a drink. I looked and could see some white/yellow/brown chunks of crystal settled in the bottle.

I was careful not to pour the crystals into my graduate, allowing them to collect at the neck area of the bottle without actually coming out. This method worked fine and the film that I processed came out just as it should.

Leica M6 TTL 0.85 | Leitz 90mm Summicron Pre-ASPH | Kodak Tri-X 400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

I did a little reading and found that some other folks have had this issue and others have not. In fact, Leslie's original article didn't mention them. I reached out to her to see if she had these elusive, mysterious HC110 crystals by now also.

" Yes I have them. I warmed the bottle and much of it dissolved back into the solution, but not all. I suspect they will come back as it sits and cools. I usually give the bottle one gentle inversion before use and they immediately went to the bottom and since I draw my chemistry from the top [using a syringe] it is not a bother. Rather than filter them out I would leave them there."

Nikon FM2n | Nikkor 55mm 2.8 AIS | Kodak Tri-X 400 rated at & processed for 1600 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

Elsewhere I read that the Kodak Alaris customer support told inquiring folks that the crystals are comprised of potassium salt and are not a problem so long as they do not leave the bottle. I decided to reach out to Michael Seaberg of Kodak's chemical division, SinoPromise Group. I told Mr. Seaberg about my recent experience, to which he replied:

" We have advised other customers that the product is ok to use by decanting the liquid, and it is good you found this by your own testing. We think the issue is solved in our newer batches but need extended keeping time to confirm."

I asked if there was some way that film shooters could identify if their HC110 might be affected by crystal formation.

" I checked on [your] batch number [Batch #11697] which was made in August 2020. We made an adjustment after this batch so batches with expiration of 08/2022 or earlier, under certain conditions, could crystallize. The next batch we made has an expiration of 11/2022 and we have made three more batches thus far in 2021 (with expiration dates of 2023)."

Nikon F2sb | Nikkor 50mm 1.4 S.C. Pre-AI |Kodak TMAX P3200 rated at & processed for 6400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr Nikon F2sb | Nikkor 50mm 1.4 S.C. Pre-AI | Kodak TMAX P3200 rated at & processed for 6400 | NEW Kodak HC110b | © 2021 Johnny Martyr

Feeling pretty confident with my tests on personal photos, I went ahead and began processing client photos with the new HC110, both before and after crystal formation. The photos featured in this article were all processed with a bottle of HC110 AFTER the crystals had formed. Yet all my results have been excellent and consistent - insofar as the development anyway. The photographer, however, could always use some improvement!

But my point is, if you have some New HC110, are considering buying it, or have already found crystals in your bottle, don 't panic! It's alright! Kodak is taking care of it and your photos will turn out wonderfully.

I'll look forward to a crystal-free New HC110 and am happy to hear that Kodak are aware of the issue and have worked to resolve it. I'd be curious if you have found crystals in your new HC110 and what it's expiration is. Or if you share my opinions about its reliability or not. In any case, hopefully these photos and comments will instill some confidence for those who have been questioning the change to their classic Kodak developer.

Thanks for reading and happy shooting!

_Follow, Favorite, Like, Add, Insult, ContactJohnny Martyr _

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