jawarden
Well-known
No, just following this thread because I use Xtol.
New Xtol not the same
- Thread starter 2wenty
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No, just following this thread because I use Xtol.
Noserider
Christiaan Phleger
One huge challenge to returning to using D-76 either pre-mixed or by formula is that the Hydroquinone is now much harder to have shipped. B&H is now not shipping D-76! As well shipping the raw chemical has additional restrictions, from what I can tell it is from the fact that Hydroquinone has been abused as a skin lightening agent and now ANYTHING containing it has restricted shipping. As well the very useful 1 liter size of D-76 has been discontinued. I have just processed a couple of rolls in D-76 which is the first time I've used it in perhaps 10 years since I long have appreciated the value, flexibility, consistency and quality of Xtol as well as the lesser environmental impact. This now acknowledged by Kodak concern over the new packaging of Xtol only furthers the internet sensation of Xtol Sudden Death, which I and other supporters of Xtol have long and patiently explained the reasons for on this forum and APUG. Now "Kodak" is again shooting themselves in the groin for yet another Xtol packaging failure. There is only so much product failure users will tolerate, and as indicated by the above post by Ted Striker where he threw out 40-50 rolls of 120 and vowed never to load another "Kodak" roll the lost trust of the consumer must be addressed. A good photo buddy lost 20 rolls of a once in a lifetime New Mexico road trip shot on a Rollei Hy6 to the backing paper issue and the disappointment we both felt when we processed the first rolls (totally unaware of the issue) was crushing, and her immediate words were to the effect of "F- "Kodak I'll never buy them again". How many more customers of "Kodak" will be lost not only directly from this new packaging failure but of the now continued internet repeating of Xtol Sudden Death?
Who will trust the next batch of Xtol?
Will you be willing to trust your negatives and be the next beta tester of the next packaging of Xtol?
IIIg
Member
Try Artcraft as a source of hydroquinone. B&H seems given to lawyer sophistry these days. Perhaps B&H could direct its lawyers attention to B&H's own NY tax shenanigan's and resume selling darkroom chemistry to those you use it.
No one need trust the next batch of Xtol. My earlier comments in this thread provide a recipe for a reliable source of a phenidone/ascorbate developer to which, yes, I would be willing to trust my negatives and have done so for years.
Steve_Pfost
Established
Well, you saved me on the xtol fiasco! Thanks! However, while reading this I stumbled upon the tri-x 120 paper backing fiasco I had no idea about. This weekend I took some old rolls to use them while with the family up in the mountains. I just shot 5 rolls that are part of that bad batch 🙁 Womp Womp! If I had only known! Can't wait to see the numbers on my film, how disappointing.,
2wenty
Well-known
Im down to try the next batch of XTOL. I like the results I get and I like that its not hard on the enviroment. As much as I want to be annoyed at kodak I dont want to see anymore stuff go off the film market. Fuji is already throwing in the towel on too many things.
Btw does anyone know how to identify the bad rolls of 120? I have some in the fridge id like to avoid further headache.
Also I emailed Kodak. Ill post what they say when and if they get back to me.
Btw does anyone know how to identify the bad rolls of 120? I have some in the fridge id like to avoid further headache.
Also I emailed Kodak. Ill post what they say when and if they get back to me.
jawarden
Well-known
Of course, why not? When Kodak reintroduced TMax400 in 120 size I resumed using it and it has performed perfectly. Assuming we're headed for a similar situation here (a bad batch identified, followed by an all-clear notice when the problem is fixed) I'll still be a customer.
It was a long and painful process for Kodak to fix the backing paper issue. Hopefully this one will be simpler, and hopefully few people will be affected. 2wenty has been even-tempered and understanding about the problem but lots of people will still be cursing Kodak on their death beds for problems like this.
2wenty
Well-known
Well I rolled the dice a couple of days ago when this happened and ordered XTOL off amazon for the ridiculous price of $24. I asked the seller if it was new or old stock and they said old. It came today and its the new one. The A side of the pack is feels slightly better but its still clumped together like moisture got in it. Not even going to attempt to use it. So if anyone is looking for an old batch dont order off amazon. Also Ive pretty much looked everywhere and all the old ones are gone already. So good luck for anyone seeking out the older one.
Steve_Pfost
Established
Anyone care for this Eco-Pro stuff that seems to give the same result as XTOL?
2wenty
Well-known
I ordered it. As soon as it comes in, which I believe is tomorrow Ill post back here as soon as I develop. Judging that its out of stock at Freestyle Im assuming other people bought it all up. I think B&H has some but I don't order from those racist assholes. I paid double and ordered it from Amazon.
2wenty
Well-known
Still no response from Kodak.
David Murphy
Veteran
I always found it somewhat amusing that Kodak discontinued magnetic striped Super 8, which was really one of their best inventions. It was a super simple way of getting sound-synced cine at a reasonable price. For a while at least surplus Super 8 cartridges with sound stripes were going for insane prices on eBay, indicative of at least reasonably good demand.
Kodak, like some other companies who's glory days are n the past, cannot seem to accept the need to downsize to their niche strengths, which were considerable. I think they would have been better off focusing on being smaller and specialized, and getting in very close touch with the needs of their remaining customers.
Kai-san
Filmwaster
Picked up two packs of Xtol yesterday from my local shop, two and a half months after ordering them! The packaging is different now (see pictures), both A and B are inside a thick, white sealed plastic bag. The plastic bags seems to be of a better quality than previous. The declaration says "Made in Germany for Kodak Alaris limited" and the production date is 2019.10.07. That means these are newer than the ones Kodak has warned about and also made by another factory. The powder is nice and dry as it should be, and some minutes ago I pulled a nicely developed roll of Fuji Acros out of the tank.
retinax
Well-known
So KA knew that the packaging was bad? As they changed it some time before 10.07. (lets assume that's October 7 as it ended up on the US market). When did the warning /acknowledgement appear on Facebook? Seems like some time passed in between... Of course if we give them the benefit of the doubt the new packaging could be the byproduct of the change of manufacturer and just incidentally work properly.
2wenty
Well-known
Thanks for the heads up. So I have 2 batches that are the previous small ones. Which sucks and no response from Kodak. I really hope they get back to me and offer some kind of replacement. As of now Im out $35 on this.
Look like I need to find the new one. I developed in D76 and DDX last night and I dont like it. I need the XTOL back.
Does your A side move around in the bag like the B side or is it thicker? Does it just pour out of the bag really easy or do you kinda have to force it out?
Steve_Pfost
Established
2wenty
Well-known
It was supposed to come last night and I was going to develop but Fedex didnt show up.
Kai-san
Filmwaster
There was no difference between A and B, both are really dry powder that runs out of the bag by itself. I could not see any difference from the old powder, and I have used Xtol for many years. Where are yours made, US or Germany?
2wenty
Well-known
For sure then my other 2nd XTOL is bad too. The ECOPRO just came in. The packaging is a million times better. A and B are foil packaging and they are both inside another bigger sealed foil packaging. Both A and B parts are like they should be, super fine powder. Just like the older XTOL.
Going to develop in a little bit, Ill let you know how it goes but Im already pretty sure its going to be fine. Cant believe Freestyle is packaging Kodaks chemicals better then Kodak does. If all is the same Im just going to keep buying ECOPRO.
Chuck Albertson
Well-known
You should certainly call/visit Freestyle and give them a heads-up. They probably know who to call at Kodak about it, and they'd likely want to hear about it before a lot of angry customers descend on them.
I remember the problem Kodak had with the 1-liter version many years ago. I switched to the 5-liter mix and haven't had any problems with it.
2wenty
Well-known
I posted earlier in thread about this. I contacted them when it first happened. They told me to contact Kodak which is lazy as hell and I assume they just kept selling the bad stuff.
