gho
Well-known
damn, what shall I do with all that stuff?
For my taste, Rodinal stand is quite ok for low light, but in medium light the grain is a bit over the top, at least with Tri-X.
The highlights seem to become quite 'compressed', if this is the right term. The shadows are quite good though.
I guess I have not found the right development scheme for these situations.
Now I mixed up some xtol to have some kind of 'go to standard'.
I used destilled water and will store it in two 2500ml containers with some protective gas to prevent oxidation.
For my taste, Rodinal stand is quite ok for low light, but in medium light the grain is a bit over the top, at least with Tri-X.
The highlights seem to become quite 'compressed', if this is the right term. The shadows are quite good though.
I guess I have not found the right development scheme for these situations.
Now I mixed up some xtol to have some kind of 'go to standard'.
I used destilled water and will store it in two 2500ml containers with some protective gas to prevent oxidation.
MartinP
Veteran
Shoot a lot more film in the near future! 
More seriously, fill one of those containers to the brim, so there will be no question-mark about the inert gas. Even better, use multiple smaller containers (eg. 1 litre PET bottles, clearly labelled and safely locked away) brim-full - that way you will open the stock solution to the atmosphere the least number of times before using it. That plan works well for ID11 anyway . . . .
More seriously, fill one of those containers to the brim, so there will be no question-mark about the inert gas. Even better, use multiple smaller containers (eg. 1 litre PET bottles, clearly labelled and safely locked away) brim-full - that way you will open the stock solution to the atmosphere the least number of times before using it. That plan works well for ID11 anyway . . . .
Monz
Monz
I did the same but I stored in 5 X 1L screw-top bottles. I used the XTol at 1+1 dilution; so each 1L bottle gave me 4 rounds of development using Jobo tanks.
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gho
Well-known
Ahh, thanks for the suggestions, need to get some bottles. Is it ok if they are transparent?
@ahmed :-D
@ahmed :-D
Monz
Monz
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
It shouldn't take too long to get through five litres IMO ... at 1+1 usage is fairly rapid and because the stuff isn't expensive wastage isn't a huge issue.
If stored correctly it seems to last OK ... I've used it after six months without problems but I wouldn't risk it past that point!
If stored correctly it seems to last OK ... I've used it after six months without problems but I wouldn't risk it past that point!
topoxforddoc
Established
XTOL is great at pushing film. I use HP5 and have no problems pushing to 1600. with XTOL at 1:1. At 3200, it gets a bit grainy, but still perfectly useable.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I have a few bottles of Xtol thats been sitting dormant close to a year. I mixed them up right before I found out I really liked Rodinal. I used distilled water to mix them and stored them in 1L bottles used to store seltzer water. I filled them to the top and placed a later of saran wrap before screwing the cap on. Just recently I took them out and decided to try Xtol again. To my surprise the 2 bottles left still work perfectly. There was a third bottle partially used that had turned yellow, I figured sudden Xtol death had already taken a bat to that bottle and just poured it out.
Mixed right and stored well I think Xtol will last. If I remember correctly the key is to keep oxygen from permeating into the solution.
Mixed right and stored well I think Xtol will last. If I remember correctly the key is to keep oxygen from permeating into the solution.
Mackinaw
Think Different
Exactly. I've stored properly mixed and properly stored Xtol for more than a year several times.
Jim B.
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
do you guys use Xtol as a one-shot?... and what do you mix the 5L's in. I bought a batch of the powder but am at a loss as to what to mix it up in, I really want to use it for pushing... seems to have got some great results around the forum. And I really want to try mixing it with Rodinal... also seen some great results with that combo here.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I mix mine in a plastic bucket from a hardware store ... I've discovered it really helps to have the water swirling by stirring as you trickle the powder in. If it clumps it can take ages to dissolve.
Only ever one shot for me!
gho
Well-known
The local hardware store has 5l canisters with distilled water. Very convenient.
Yes, I thought about that too, but first I will try it unmixed to get a grip on it.
dfoo
Well-known
I mix my XTOL up in a bucket. I also used it replenished 75-90ml per roll of film. 5L lasts a long time when used in this way. You need to filter the developer every 40 rolls or so as a bunch of crud accumulates at the bottom of the jug.
wintoid
Back to film
I buy 5L bottles of deionised water. I tip the powder A straight into the bottle on top of the water, cap it, and invert it until it's dissolved. Then repeat for powder B. All at room temperature. Easy peasy.
srtiwari
Daktari
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
What Keith said: I use a large plastic bucket also. Then I store it in one and two liter green-tinted wine bottles with corks. My darkroom is dark 95% of the time so I don't worry about exposure to light.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If you can get hold of used wine casks (effectionately know as 'chateau cardboard' here in Oz) the bladders are ideal for developer. Fill them completely and there is no air at all to effect the chemicals ... as you drain it this doesn't change of course because the bladder collapses right down until you've used the last available drop.
And wouldn't you know it the casks I use hold exactly five litres!
And wouldn't you know it the casks I use hold exactly five litres!
gho
Well-known
Here is a first result. Tri-X, 12min@68F/20C. Exposure was more or less guesstimating. I dropped my lightmeter and can only use it as a rattle now.
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