Which 400 speed film with Xtol?

[SuitePhoto]

After recently coming back to film, I've been very satisfied with the Xtol and Neopan 1600@1250 combo for when I want a 'Noir' look.

But after shooting a roll of XP2, I'm really liking the greater tonal range and I'd like to recreate that with a silver-based 400 speed film using Xtol.

Example of XP2:

I already have 5 liters of Xtol under the sink, so I'd like to use that and just have the option of a) high contrast/fast speed with Neopan 1600 or b) slower speed but more tonality/less contrasty with xxxx.

I'm assuming my choices are HP5, TriX or Neopan 400??

Thanks!

 

[jja]

Tri-x, of course, but also the new T-max. With T-max I get deep blacks and a good tonal range.

 

[Keith]

Xtol seems to give me great results with any film I use it with to be honest and aside from Rodinal it's now the only developer I bother with. Brilliant with Neopan 400 and also with Tri-X but not quite as good with HP5+ ... but I never really clicked with the Ilford for some reason!

 

[Lilserenity]

Tri-X at box speed in Xtol is smashing stuff.

Not tried TMax 400 in it but Tri-X comes out so smooth in it, lovely stuff!

 

[Benjamin Marks]

XTol is a great developer, really it is going to be hard to go wrong with any of the top brands of 400 speed film. I have used it extensively with Ilford Delta 400 and Fuji Neopan 400 -- both have good sharpness, acutance and film speed in this developer. Tri-X ditto. If you want to go noir-y, I'd suggest an older school, more low contrast developer like D-23. Formula is available in many places on the web.

 

[Marlon dela Cruz]

Tri-X @ 1600 ISO in X-Tol 1:3

 

[SuitePhoto]

Tri-X @ 1600 ISO in X-Tol 1:3

Thanks Marlon! The massive dev chart gives a 16.5 minute development time for this, I'm assuming (due to the high dilution and long dev time) that you only need to do one or two inversions every thirty seconds?

 

[jmcd]

I like Xtol with Ilford Delta 400 at 400, and with Foma 400 at 320 or 240.

 

[venchka]

HP5+ @ 250
Xtol 1:3
10 minutes
Continuous agitation

Lovely negatives.

 

[jmcd]

Delta 400 in Xtol 1:1.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

xtol will work with any film.
I like neopan 400 a 400 or 200 iso. But i also us trix or hp5. But for great tonal range I prefer to expose at 200 iso.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[goo0h]

So far I've tried Neopan 400 (400, 800), Neopan 1600 (1250, 1600), HP5 (800), and TMAX-400 (400, 800) in XTOL 1:1. My mood changes in terms of which I prefer, but right now I seem to be liking TMAX-400 shot at 800 in XTOL. Seems to give it a bit more punch, without really much more grain. But then, I'm still very much green when it comes to dev'ing my own film, and have a lot to yet learn.....

 

[Trius]

Tmy-2 @ 400.

 

[bigdog]

XTOL 1:1 has been the developer of choice for my remaining stock of APX 100 since Rodinal has gotten more difficult to find.

Can anyone comment on the properties/results one could expect using XTOL for Tri-X in comparison to D-76?

How does XTOL work with slower old school emulsions like EFKE 25?

 

[notturtle]

the only 400s that will come close to that look IMO are Neopan 400 and Delta 400. Fine grain and super smooth tonality wont come with TriX and HP5+. Neopan has a much creamier look esp with undiluted Xtol

 

[SuitePhoto]

the only 400s that will come close to that look IMO are Neopan 400 and Delta 400. Fine grain and super smooth tonality wont come with TriX and HP5+. Neopan has a much creamier look esp with undiluted Xtol

Hmmm... I think I have it backwards. Are you saying (in general terms) that a higher concentration of developer with shorter dev times will create smoother grain/better tonality? For some reason, I was under the impression that high dilution with a longer dev time would yield smoother grain... 😕

 

[notturtle]

I am not sure hwo to reply, but let me put it like this:

Neopan 400 is far finer grained than HP5/TriX. D400 is finer still, but at large sizes the grain is very crisp and so more speckly somehow. Neo 400 is therefore good for a smoooth look if that is what you seek.

The more you dilute the developer, assuming it is a D76/ID11/Xtol like developer, the more edge effects you will get creating more visual bite (acutance). this can look great, but is the opposite of a smooth creamy look. D76/ID11/Xtol straight will give noticeably finer grain, smoother tonality and less visual bite than diluted.

With some devs, like Rodinal, dilution can give finer grain at the same time as edge effects but I am no expert with this developer (and it is bever a fine grain soothie anyway).

I should add that using dilute developer with reduced agitation over a longer period can help control contrast but thats a separate ' thing'.... and usually comes with greater acutance and therefore less smooth tonality (but with more controlled contrast if the scene has a high density range)

 

[totifoto]

tmy-2 in xtol 1:1 is great!!

 

[Tim Gray]

I've not used the new T-MAX 400, but everyone who has really seems to like it. Maybe I'll add a couple rolls on my film order this weekend.

I basically shoot Plus-X, Tri-X, and TMZ in XTOL 1:1, film choice depending on the speed I need. I think they all look great.