Tri-X: Differences between D76 and Xtol. Which developer?

[thodo]

Hi everybody,

it came otherwise than planned (planned was HP5+). I just got about 30 rolls of Tri-X as present, so I am in search for the fitting developer now. I've read a lot about Tri-X (400TX) together with D76/ID11 and together with Xtol. How do these two combinations compare with each other? Where are the differences? Would you recommend something completely different?

I would like to get results with high contrast, nice blacks, sharpness and reasonbly fine grain. For examples (of what I would like to achieve), look at this page (if it were possible, I'd like finer grain).

Thanks and best wishes,
Thorsten

 

[markinlondon]

Thorsten,

Tri-x in D-76/id-11 is the classic b/w look. Hard to define, but fits all the things you're looking for. XTOL is sometimes said to be like D-76/ID-11, but with slightly finer grain and a bit more speed.

I have to say that Tri-x will always look like Tri-x. I like it in 1:100 Rodinal semi-stand, like this


or maybe this

Mark

 

[plexi]

Thorsten, I`ve used Tri-X in D76, XTOL, HC-110, PyrocatHD, T-Max and DD-X..
For fine grain, both stock D76 and XTOL are great. Lately I`ve had great results in both T-Max and DD-X too, so you have to do your own tests....
Why not email Stefan and ask him about his workflow? And post it here...

 

[kaiyen]

Stefan takes some amazing photographs, no question. Inspirational, the look.

Anyway...first off, sharpness comes at the expense of grain, and fine grain comes at the expense of sharpness. To an extent, you really can't have both.

Anchell & Troop do say that XTOL at 1+3 is an acutance developer that can also be considered a fine grain one. It might be the best compromise at this point, from what I've _read_ (I haven't tried it), but you have to be a lot more meticulous about how to store it.

It sounds like what you're after is sharpness first. If that's the case, go with D76 1+3, or another acutance developer entirely, like Rodinal.

allan

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I know one thing about Stefan's pictures: what you see is a scanned print. He prints his own pictures (as far as I know) on good old paper; whether it's fiber or RC, don't know, ask him. But he's said a few times in the past that those are prints.

The look therefore is not just which film/developer combo he used, but his darkroom techniques. Some of his pictures are also shot in T-Max, but he shoots mostly Tri-X. Leica and Hasselblad. Also some digital Nikon. He's great.

 

[thodo]

Thanks for your answers. So if I understand you right, Xtol is something like D76 with finer grain and higher speed. So what are the advantages of D76?

Thanks and best wishes,
Thorsten