Got flakes in my XTOL

[Tim Gray]

If I may add another question: 100ml stock of XTOL are recommended for every 135 film. Using a Jobo 1520 with 485ml capacity, XTOL 1+2 would fall short a bit of this rule, giving only about 80ml stock. Now, knowing from my years spent with Rodinal I know that there is always a safety factor built in in these manufacturer's recommendations, so I should be fine.

I'm guessing that bit doesn't have much of a safety factor built in. Remember, Kodak stopped recommending dilutions higher than 1+1 because so many people were having issues with them, most likely because there wasn't enough active developer.

Then again, maybe you'll be ok. Personally, I'd drop down to one roll per tank or get a bigger tank. Also, personally, if I was experimenting with higher dilutions than 1+1, I'd go right to 1+3 and skip 1+2. I'm not sure if 1+2 provides enough of a benefit over 1+1 to bother with it.

 

[Freakscene]

If I may add another question: 100ml stock of XTOL are recommended for every 135 film. Using a Jobo 1520 with 485ml capacity, XTOL 1+2 would fall short a bit of this rule, giving only about 80ml stock. Now, knowing from my years spent with Rodinal I know that there is always a safety factor built in in these manufacturer's recommendations, so I should be fine. But: has any of you experience with going 1+2 in a about 500ml tank

It depends on what film you use. I mix my Xtol in deionised water with very neutral pH and I can reliably develop four rolls of Neopan 400 or Tri-X in a litre of Xtol 1+3 (about 62.5 mL/roll) but it doesn't work with TMZ, Delta 3200, Acros or TMX. Kodak originally said to use a minimum of 80mL / roll but revised it up after users reported problems and the Kodak lab was easily able to replicate the same problem with TMX.

and/or: just how visible are differences between 1+1 and 1+2? The largest I routinely print is 18x24 centimeters.

I mostly use Xtol diluted 1+3 to get a more manageable development time. I like times of around 10-12 minutes if I can get them, to improve consistency. I doubt you'll see much difference in an 18x24 cm print.

Marty

 

[Freakscene]

Precipitation!

Precipitation!

The flakes could be because of precipitation in cold temperatures. The reason I wouldn't see that is that my Xtol stock is stored at 20C.

Marty