Mixing half a bag of Xtol

[Lauffray]

I really liked Xtol last time I used it but my local store only carries the 5L bags. Given my normal shooting pace that's quite a lot to mix in one batch, even if i store the excess in tight bottles i won't use them for months.

I'm wondering if it's possible to somehow prepare half the powder into a solution (2.5L), assuming the remaining powder keeps longer than solution ? Perhaps there's a less amateur way to go about this ? 😛

 

[batterytypehah!]

I did this with D-76 powder once and yes, it did work. Measure exactly half of the bag by weight (I used digital kitchen scales).

The problem is that it's not a uniform powder. Different components have different grain sizes and so the larger ones tend to rise to the top in the bag, just like with breakfast cereal. So some extra care to counteract this effect is needed. I wouldn't try to divide it into any smaller fractions, either.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Don't.

Use distilled or boiled water; make up the whole 5l; and store it in 1l bottles, which should keep quite a long time. Otherwise, you may or may not get away with the fact that it's not a uniform powder.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sepiareverb]

I agree with Roger, get some more bottles and some distilled water.

 

[RObert Budding]

Yes, listen to Roger.

 

[Keith]

Xtol is very cheap IMO ... just mix it all as Roger said keep it in separate botlles with no air space and keep them out of the light.

I keep Xtol in old 5 litre wine bladders which have the advantage of not letting air at the solution as you drain the bladder. I've used it up to year old this way and had no problems.

 

[bdeyes]

I really like the images on your site: The-Invisible-Cities

If I could be so bold as to characterize them, I would say that many share a common theme of mystery and strong preference for shadows. In some cases there is also a strong grain presence which helps create that unsettled feeling.

May I ask your current film and developer of choice, and whether you foresee XTOL giving you another look or style, or a way of tweaking it?

Thanks for sharing.

bdeyes

 

[batterytypehah!]

Keith, I gotta ask, do your guests ever get suspicious and grab a can of beer instead of your wine? 😀

Good idea though, I should try that. Went away from D-76 after that first gallon batch but I do miss the simplicity of it. My poor technique needs a developer that's hard to eff up.

 

[Keith]

Keith, I gotta ask, do your guests ever get suspicious and grab a can of beer instead of your wine? 😀

Good idea though, I should try that. Went away from D-76 after that first gallon batch but I do miss the simplicity of it. My poor technique needs a developer that's hard to eff up.

I stopped drinking cask wine several years ago as I couldn't seem to find pain killers strong enough to deal with the after effects! :bang:

There always seems to be plenty at our local dump though ... some very keen drinkers where I live! LOL

 

[batterytypehah!]

Yeah, Rodinal (R09) is what I've started using now, because of the shelf life. Got two rolls of Tri-X with lots of bromide drag so far, but that's due to the 1:100 stand I was (stupidly) trying out.

 

[Keith]

I can't get excited about stand development with Rodinal ... the risks of this ^ sort of thing are a little high!

I'm strictly 50+1 or 25+1

 

[KenD]

The equal portioning problem can be handled by spooning the powder, in rotation, into (say) five bowls to make up five 1-liter size portions.

In my experience with D76, the question of "assuming the remaining powder keeps longer than solution" is key - I found that the powder, portioned out into Zip-Lock (tm) bags, went very brown in the baggie very quickly, and when dissolved in filtered water instantly made a very brown very oxidized looking mess. Now, D76 is known for problems with air oxidation (compare Ilford's 2 part packaging of ID-11), Xtol might be different. And perhaps using a nitrogen spray (wine bottle O2 inhibitors, etc.) might solve the problem.

Based on my experience with D76 the air-exposed powder oxidizes faster that a stock solution.

KenD

 

[The Standard Deviant]

I'm strictly 50+1 or 25+1

I'm strictly 49+1 or 24+1, wanna fight?

 

[Keith]

I'm strictly 49+1 or 24+1, wanna fight?

You do realise at those ratios your results will be completely different to mine! 😀

 

[KarlG]

I'd agree with everyone else - mix up the whole batch and then store appropriately.

I like the idea of storing it in an empty wine cask though, that's pretty cool! Are those wine casks completely air tight though (i.e. can any air seep through the cask, similar to plastic bottles?)

Might have to try that for my next batch of Xtol. I'm also thinking about trying the Xtol / Rodinal combo, will be interesting to see how the results turn out!

 

[Rezultz]

I'd like to try Xtol in the coming weeks (switching from D76). I've always mixed my D76 powder in the empty 1 gallon distilled water containers. It was super convenient because everyone has a one gallon container in their home to spare.
This may be a stupid question but...what container do you guys use to mix the Xtol 5 liter powder (about 1.32 gallons)? Thanks.

 

[Lauffray]

I know, 5L is a lot 🙂
I have a big plastic rice container I use, it fits way more than 5L. Very often I find cheap kitchen utilities a very affordable alternative to dedicated darkroom equipment 😀