Extolling Xtol

[alexz]

A really relevant thread for me.
I considered to put an order fro a few XTOL packs to try it out (I used to HC-110, but curious about XTOL). However, I figure single pack is aimed to 5 liters of syrop/working solution. I realize the most common approach is to use 1:1 for working solution otu of syrop, which means developing 10 small tanks (2 35mm rolls in each), making 20 rolls per these 5 liters. In my case, 20 rolls would spread over the period of probaly 4-5 months, taking into account I will also use HC-110 for certain occations and probably Microphen (for push when necessary), those 5 liters of XTOL may get longer to, say 6 - 8 months.
My question is whether it would be wise to use XTOL bearing in mind that these 5 liters of the solution will be consumed at slow pace ? Should I get concerned about it ?

Thanks, Alex

 

[venchka]

Alex,

I'm in your situation as well. I want to use XTOL also. While I haven't gotten any yet, I am reading everything I can. The best storage advice I have seen is to divide the 5 liters into 5 dark brown GLASS tightly stopped containers. Keep these in a dark place. Also, mixing the stock solution and mixing the working solution (1:1 mix) with distilled water makes a difference in the storage and working life of XTOL. Lastly, use 25ml minimum of XTOL per roll of film. That equals 1 roll of 35mm/36 exp., 1 roll of 120, 4 sheets of 4x5 or 1 sheet of 8x10.

Good luck!

 

[alexz]

Thanks Wayne.
Sounds quite a hassle in comparison with HC-110 which is, as syrop, have so long shelf life even with opened bottles.
The need of distributing the solution into 5 dedicated glass bottles doesn't sound very attractive also, I just have no such lot of free space dedicate to mutilpel bottles storage. This is why I prefer a small powder pack for 1 liter of syrop (such as Microphen, Perceptol, or of course a bottle of HC-110). Just prepare 1 liter of syrop and store a single bottle rather then a whole set of 5...

I have no idea what I may gain by XTOL (just heard quite positive opinions) over HC-110 for Tri-X (and possibly Neopan 400), perhaps will drop the idea of XTOL altogether and will stay with HC-110 for regular processing...

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Honestly, and no offense meant, but I think you guys are taking the storage of developer a little too seriously here.

If you cannot use all of it in 6 months to 1 year then throw it away, it isn't that expensive. I've kept mine in a brown plastic jug till it turned yellow, threw it out and mixed some new.

If I was shooting something important I would want fresh developer anyway, it's a little more active.

As far as the benefits of Xtol over HC110, at 1:1 it gives me sharper negatives but of course YMMV

Todd

 

[venchka]

There you go. Todd's voice of reason is perfect.

Can you buy beer in 1 liter brown screw top bottles in Israel? In the US we can get all sorts of drinks in 1 gallon (3.8 liters) plastic containers. Those would work stored in a dark place. Mix 5 liters when you have several rolls to process. Put the leftover in a 1 gallon jug. Rodinal is also a perfect developer when storage is a problem.

EDIT: DUH!

Store the XTOL in the same container the distilled water came in.

 

[blw]

I think some of my point was missed as well.

It seems that even the "sketchy" xtol works for a few days and maybe up to a week. So if I wait until I have the undeveloped film & perhaps 2 tanks necessary for a one or two day film developing bender, then I'm likely not risking anything. My original point was to use the 2 liters within the week that all the rumors seem to say it lasts.

Now if I want to be cautious- and Rich especially raises a good point in favor of caution- perhaps the snipped leader test in the freshly mixed developer is the ticket.

Or I could even go out in my back yard and around my house & run off one or two rolls of "crap" just for the purpose of making sure the xtol is okay.

At this point I'm about ready to do that just to prove a point to either myself or all the rumor mongerers here. If the point is proven on me, I will be more than glad to admit it. Believing expressly what I've read on the internet isn't exactly proof to me, however.

 

[telenous]

That said, I think Honus' work with Rodinal-Xtol is tantalizingly good from a technical point-of-view, and improves the grain characteristics without losing acutance and tonality; hence I am determined to try my hand. Aside from that he is a wonderful photographer who could make a good image from film & water from Love Canal. Can't wait to see how Alkis (Telenous) fares with a Rodinal-Xtol marriage.

Earl

Hi Earl,

Here are some photos from the first few rolls I have tried in Rodinal/Xtol. They are nothing special but perhaps they display some characteristics from the Rodinal/Xtol bath. Please bear in mind the times and dilutions are as noted but agitation is always at random and comfortably spaced intervals so there is time to read something from RFF 😀 .

1. Summarit 50, HP5+ @400, Xtol 100ml, Rodinal 3ml, Water 400ml for 15'
2. Summilux 50 Asph, HP5+ @800, developer as above, 20'
3. Summilux 50 Asph, TriX @1600, developer as above, 15'

I think TriX could possibly benefit from a little longer bath, the available light shots are somewhat more dark than I 'd have liked them. Perhaps it's more to do with the exposure to begin with. More tests to follow 🙂

 

[Trius]

Alkis: Now that's a quite logical agitation regimen ... how appropriate!

#2 & 3 are quite yummy ... I see what you mean about the Tri-X shot, yet it has wonderful low values for a 2-2/3 stop (for me) push.

For overall image quality, I like #2 the best.

Thanks for posting these.

 

[venchka]

An adventure

An adventure

Hi Earl,

Here are some photos from the first few rolls I have tried in Rodinal/Xtol. They are nothing special but perhaps they display some characteristics from the Rodinal/Xtol bath. Please bear in mind the times and dilutions are as noted but agitation is always at random and comfortably spaced intervals so there is time to read something from RFF 😀 .

1. Summarit 50, HP5+ @400, Xtol 100ml, Rodinal 3ml, Water 400ml for 15'
2. Summilux 50 Asph, HP5+ @800, developer as above, 20'
3. Summilux 50 Asph, TriX @1600, developer as above, 15'

I think TriX could possibly benefit from a little longer bath, the available light shots are somewhat more dark than I 'd have liked them. Perhaps it's more to do with the exposure to begin with. More tests to follow 🙂

XTOL: 1 to 4
Rodinal: 1 to 133

That's very dilute. The results prove the theory. I need to try this combination.

Re-reading the previous recipe for Rodinal + XTOL I see that you used the low dilution formula. I'm thinking I may "kick it up a notch" and try the XTOL 1:1 + Rodinal at 1:100 formula.