As I recall, 2 hours max. It basically just stops working. So when you make your first batch, weigh out enough to make a 2nd batch and keep it unmixed and ready to go. ________________________________ From: Bogdan Karasek <bkarasek@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 12:01:08 PM Subject: [pure-silver] Amidol and oxidization Hi all, Again,, a Thank You to all who responded to my query concerning AZO and fogging. Very helpful responses but which lead me to other questions concerning AMIDOL which was mentioned as THE developer for AZO. I've order a quantity of Amidol from my supplier and will be using the formula found on Michael A. Smith's web site. I've done some further research into the p[properties of Amidol which I have never used before. Looking through the "Darkroom CookBook", Anchell mentions, as have others on this group, that Amidol oxidizes easily and should be mixed just before usage. The question I have concerning AMIDOL regards the following from the"CookBook": "Oxidizes rapidly and keeps poorly" Can anybody quantify "rapidly" My usual darkroom work practice when using Dektol is to mix a 4 liter batch of 1:2 Dektol and that sits in a large tray for at least 8-10 hours as I print, after which I dump it when I am finished at the end of the day What about Amidol???? How long will that keep in an open tray before it oxidizes and I have to dump it.... 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours or what? Am I better off mixing a small batch, 1.5L and changing often, or will a 3L batch last longer???? From personal experience working with Amidol, can anybody quantify "oxidizes rapidly" Cheers, Bogdan -- ________________________________________________________________ Bogdan Karasek Montréal, Québec bogdan(at)bogdanphoto.com Canada www.bogdanphoto.com "I bear witness" ________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================= To unsubscribe from this list, go to www.freelists.org and logon to your account (the same e-mail address and password you set-up when you subscribed,) and unsubscribe from there.