New XTOL no good and Kodak is useless

A

almost

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12:28 PM
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Apr 27, 2016
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31
Hi,
First off: I am a professional photographer who has based all his BW on Xtol, since the day it came out.
I mix in the same way (with distilled water) since that day, and have always produced crystal clear, consistent Xtol stock solution. Which I test every time by developing a 5x4 with a grey scale pattern.
Until now...
Since Xtol has changed packaging, and gone with the white plastic bag containing the 2 white plastic bags A &B... I have not been able to mix bag A in the prescribed initial 4L of water.
No matter how much I stir, there is always a powdery residue, which then sinks to the bottom of the bottles. Never seen that before.
When I use it to test-develop my usual test negs, the result is a massively underdeveloped neg.
I thought it could be a batch issue. Indeed, Kodak UK refunded me assuming it was a batch issue. But now I have tried with different batches, and different providers (from different countries!) and again, the same issue.
I have changed nothing. The issue started to appear with the new Xtol packaging... I have asked kodak if they changed the powder composition... no answer. In fact, they lied to me.
They told me that i was "the only one" having this issue.
Well a quick search online has showed me there are many experiencing the EXACT SAME issue as me. Bag not mixing well and massively developed negs.
I dunno what infuriates me more... a once great company going to the dogs or the so called "Professional Service" not telling me the truth on their own issues.
In any case good bye Kodak. I had the "13" issue with TRI-X 120 (when you got a big no 13 embedded in the emulsion) and now this disaster with XTOL. and they still have the GALL of writing PROFESSIONAL on their products. I am supposed to run a business and make a living on their ****ty stuff?? Disgusting.
 
The non-dissolving component is an excess salt. It doesn’t seem to do anything, but you can filter it out of the developer. The ‘new’ Xtol has worked fine for me too.

Marty
 
Been using HC-110 for years (because the syrup keeps well, I develop film infrequently) and it always works. Tried Xtol when it first came out but didn’t work with it long enough to see how good it would work out. Mainly because I knew that HC-110 had a proven track record it soon returned as my standard developer.
 
zuiko85 said:
Been using HC-110 for years (because the syrup keeps well, I develop film infrequently) and it always works. Tried Xtol when it first came out but didn’t work with it long enough to see how good it would work out. Mainly because I knew that HC-110 had a proven track record it soon returned as my standard developer.
Click to expand...

HC-110 has been reformulated too, and the new product is quite different to the old one.

Marty
 
I have been using XTOL for many years and it has been my favourite developer. But something has happened after the new recipe was launched. I have no problem dissolving the powder (I use the highest temperature recommended on the pack) and the first weeks everything seems to be fine. But then it starts to deteriorate and I get seriously underdeveloped negatives. This has not happened before and I end up throwing out the last litre. I always try to keep any air out of the bottles and my consumption is on average three rolls of film per week. I agree with the OP that this is not acceptable and I will look for a substitute. I believe Adox or Foma has something very similar.
 
They have known about it for over a year!
they admitted to the issue in writing

@KodakProFilmBiz: We’ve recently become aware of complaints for inactive development, 2019/08/09 date coded KODAK PROFESSIONAL XTOL Developer. We are working with the manufacturer to verify there are no further issues. If you have a problem, please contact us at ProPaperChem@kodakalaris.com.
 
almost said:
They have known about it for over a year!
they admitted to the issue in writing

@KodakProFilmBiz: We’ve recently become aware of complaints for inactive development, 2019/08/09 date coded KODAK PROFESSIONAL XTOL Developer. We are working with the manufacturer to verify there are no further issues. If you have a problem, please contact us at ProPaperChem@kodakalaris.com.
Click to expand...

I think you're referring to an earlier issue, which may not be the issue you're currently experiencing. When Kodak switched to the new packaging there were reports of problems. I had one of the suspected bad batches of Xtol and Kodak sent replacements which have worked fine for me. Sorry to hear of your trouble but switching brands will likely fix it.
 
jawarden said:
I think you're referring to an earlier issue, which may not be the issue you're currently experiencing. When Kodak switched to the new packaging there were reports of problems. I had one of the suspected bad batches of Xtol and Kodak sent replacements which have worked fine for me. Sorry to hear of your trouble but switching brands will likely fix it.
Click to expand...

I switched brands 10+ years ago. Metal and/or hydroquine come from Photographers Formulary, sodium sulfite and sodium carbonate come from the Chemistry Store, borax is 20 mule team from the laundry isle. You can make D76, D76R, Dektol (D72} from above. Small digital scale from numerous sources.

D76 lasts 6 months when is very slowly starts to lose activity if in small glass bottles . I use 4 oz- one per film. Costs me perhaps $1 for the liter.

Never had a failure. Darkroom always has stock. Always fresh.

Cheap. What more could you want?

So just keep buying the store stuff if you want.
 
XTOL was out of stock last time I needed some so i purchased Legacy Pro Eco pro developer. It is supposed to be the same and I certainly can't tell any difference
 
MISH said:
XTOL was out of stock last time I needed some so i purchased Legacy Pro Eco pro developer. It is supposed to be the same and I certainly can't tell any difference
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I use the Eco Pro as well, in a replenished “system”. No issues, and I’ve been using my batch since 2017.
 
zuiko85 said:
I bought 4 containers of the old HC-110 over 6 years ago and haven’t finished that supply yet.
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Exactly - the old stuff is great. But if the OP buys HC-110 it won’t be the same thing, in particular the new version syrup might not last as long as the old version. HC-110 also provides very different tonality to Xtol.

Zonan said:
I switched over to Ilford about 2 years ago, happy with that.
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Ilford make lots of very nice developers and their formulations seem very consistent. But they do not make an ascorbate-weakly alkaline developer with the same advantages and similar tonality to Xtol.

The grain is not as fine, and the speed is not as high, but the closest tonality to Xtol is D-76 or ID-11.

Marty
 
Kai-san said:
....and the first weeks everything seems to be fine. But then it starts to deteriorate and I get seriously underdeveloped negatives. This has not happened before and I end up throwing out the last litre.
Click to expand...

Kai it just happened to me too. I'm not sure what the problem is but my negatives are significantly underdeveloped with fresh Xtol. ID-11 is ordered and on the way.
 
My newish batch of XTOL seems fine. Here in Europe it still says made in Germany. I know there had been some speculation that they switched producers.
 
Dektol is suffering a manufacturing/packaging problem as well, with stock solution mixing to a solid chocolate brown.
 
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