D76 or XTOL. Why?

[filmfan]

I use both. XTOL for pushing/fast films.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

My Xtol experience is very limited. I had some film done by a pro lab here in NYC. I hated the results. It was the first time i actually called the lab to see what developer they were using, specifically so that i could avoid it in the future.

D76, though - i used it in high school and college, and since and in between i've seen a lot of fantastic results from other photographers. It's the 'classic' developer. I'm not interested in modern grain structures, or in improving upon things. I want a certain look, and its one that is inspired by the photographs in the books i collect. When i started souping my own film again, a year and half ago, i chose ID-11, which is supposed to be the same as D76, and right off the bat, i loved the results with Rollei Retro 100. I'm going to be using ID-11/D76 and Rodinal with Tri-X, Plus-X and Retro 100/APX100, and trying to ignore everything else. Oh, i did buy some Ethol UFG to use with 120 Tri-X, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. THAT, though, was inspired by Irving Penn.....

 

[funkpilz]

I tried XTol, in fact I have another sealed package lying around. But for now, I'm back to Rodinal for convenience. I don't mind the grain, and I love stand development. Never change a winning team, they say.

 

[JayGannon]

Am I the only one who loves the fact that xtol mixes into a large amount?
I find I go through 5l very quickly... mix of 1+1 and 1+3 sometimes.

 

[KenR]

I never found anything in the Xtol negs that made up for the difficulty in mixing 5 liters of the stuff. I guess convenience has won out as I seem to have standardized on HC110 for 400 speed film and Rodinal for the slower speeds.

 

[robbeiflex]

XTOL, because of fine grain, push-ability, low cost, and low toxicity.

 

[Freakscene]

Am I the only one who loves the fact that xtol mixes into a large amount?
I find I go through 5l very quickly... mix of 1+1 and 1+3 sometimes.

No, it's not just you. At one stage I was buying the 50 L packs (Cat # 818 4517 not sure if Kodak even makes them anymore) and was using them in about a fortnight at (mostly) 1+3, but I was processing film for other people.

Still like mixing it up and having 5L ready to go.

Marty

 

[JayGannon]

No, it's not just you. At one stage I was buying the 50 L packs (Cat # 818 4517 not sure if Kodak even makes them anymore) and was using them in about a fortnight at (mostly) 1+3, but I was processing film for other people.

Still like mixing it up and having 5L ready to go.

Marty

They dont =)
At least not through my pro labs distributer.
I checked a while ago was there any larger pack.

 

[healyzh]

Personally I like either Ilford DD-X or Rodinal. I like the convenience of a developer that comes in liquid form.

 

[DNG]

I use Xtol 1:3
with Delta 50/100/400 and tried Plus-X
I am still messing with time/agitation (tweaking), but, I do get fairly nice negs for scanning... a wee bit thin.. but scans nice.

Xtol and Plus-X is a nice combo shot at box speed.
Xtol does better with the traditional emulsions like Plus-X, I think.
1:3 allows 10m + develop times at 20c also.

Have not tried D76 for ages!

 

[DNG]

Am I the only one who loves the fact that xtol mixes into a large amount?
I find I go through 5l very quickly... mix of 1+1 and 1+3 sometimes.

I Like the 5L bag too. I have "taped" 6.5L liquid container you might have for Iced Tea at a party. It has 1L markings up to 5L, with a 3.5" round fill opening at the top. and it has a built in handle!
Although it takes me a few months to use 5L at 1:3

 

[jmcd]

DNG: Although it takes me a few months to use 5L at 1:3

Just curious if you are using a minimum of 100ml per roll?

I like both D-76 and Xtol, and find in general that D-76 is better at providing a harder look, Xtol more open, lighter. Either developer is quite capable, and provides different looks through dilution and agitation.

 

[Mcary]

Am I the only one who loves the fact that xtol mixes into a large amount?
I find I go through 5l very quickly... mix of 1+1 and 1+3 sometimes.

At first I was worried about whither it would go bad before I was able to use but since I'm also processing medium format film turned out to be a non issue.
Mostly us XTOL at 1-1 but sometime use it full strength for Tr-X 120 at 1600 or at 1-2 1-3 if I'm down to the last of a batch.

 

[delft]

Xtol replenished. Makes using the 1ltr combiplan for 4x5 much more economical. I quite like the grain xtol gives with TMY. I still have HC110 and rodinal in stock, but haven't used them anymore for some time now.
Have used D76 before, liked the results, but switched to HC110 for ease of use.

Dirk

 

[Matus]

I use mostly Pyrocat HD (tha same stock solutions since 2007 - still fine !) but recently got a bottle of Ilford DD-X for HP5+ and Delta (but also used it with Adox Pan 400). Still my experience is very limited.

I have never used either D-76 or Xtol though. Would you guys be so kind so say a few words about how the D-76 or Xtol compares to DD-X ?

 

[flip]

Then again ... the US pres gets voted in without having to really prove that he can actually run the country! 😀

Only dictators and incumbents run on proven ability.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

I am into my first serious xtol 5-litre pack. I find that the image is a little too contrasty at 1+1 dilution.

 

[Freakscene]

I am into my first serious xtol 5-litre pack. I find that the image is a little too contrasty at 1+1 dilution.

Time and exposure, not dilution, controls contrast. If the negs are too contrasty, decrease your development time. If, as a result of that, the dark tones lose contrast, expose more.

Marty

 

[semilog]

I am into my first serious xtol 5-litre pack. I find that the image is a little too contrasty at 1+1 dilution.

Time/temp are at least as important as dilution. Back off on the time.

 

[Requin]

I use D76 because I'm not a developer tester. Too many possibilities. That's it.