X-Tol (EcoPro) & HP5+

[Steve_Pfost]

Thoughts on the combo? I’ve been solely shooting HP5+ and developing it in D76 (1:1) since May. My last batch of D76 was brown. I have rolls sitting and a bag of eco pro unopened. Does anyone have any thoughts / experiences they may want to share about using XTOL to develop HP5+?

 

[BWF]

Not exactly answering the question but I used Eco Pro for a while and got great results with Tri-x and XX. I always used the 1:1 dilution.

 

[keytarjunkie]

I was developing some different films including HP5 with D76 1:1 at the start of the year. Switched darkrooms and now developing in XTOL 1:1. The film looks nice with both developers. If there is a slight difference in sharpness or tonality, you won't see it in two random images next to each other. That said, here are two random images next to each other...I have much higher quality scans I can send if you want to see the grain.

^D76

^XTOL

 

[oldwino]

I like it in Xtol/Eco Pro at 1:1 and "pushed" a bit (I develop for EI800). I like the stronger contrast.

 

[relistan]

I love HP5+ in XTOL stock. Here are a few shots, both with a 1950s Balda Mess-Baldix

 

[Ko.Fe.]

XTOL is kind of ECO formula.
I migrated from D-76 to XTOL, to HC-110.
I think, XTOL is better for scans of HP5+, while HC-110 is just less hassle, I don't like HP5+ in HC-110 on scans, but it is OK for darkroom prints, which I prefer over scans.

 

[Steve_Pfost]

Thank you kindly for the replies. I may get going on this tonight. I know most film developing is to your own liking but I like to hear peoples opinions before I go and try a new combo.

 

[DennisM]

Xtol

Xtol

XTOL is reputed to be an excellent developer, and I'm sure it is. The issue as I see it is that it's available only in packaging to make 5 liters of stock solution which must be mixed at one time (at least in the US; I recall reading that it was discontinued in the one gallon size; unsure of the exact reason; may have had something to do with guaranteeing consistency?); Several issues: 1) storage for five liters of solution; 2) At 1:1 dilution, 5 liters is enough to process 44 rolls of 35mm B&W or 22 rolls using stock solution. Forty-four or even 22 rolls of film is a lot for me, so it would take me several years at least to consume 5 liters of stock solution. I'd be very concerned about shelf life. Why don't you use ID-11 or a liquid developer like DD-X? Make it easy on yourself.

 

[relistan]

The issue as I see it is that it's available only in packaging to make 5 liters of stock solution which must be mixed at one time

I mean, aside from XTOL being a totally different look than ID-11 (which is a fine developer, no question):



It's cheap enough (about $11 for 5L) that if you have to waste some of it, it's not a cost concern. But if you are concerned about it from an ecological standpoint, you can buy XTOL in 1 liter packs as Foma's Fomadon Excel . They cost only about $1 less than the EcoPro variant of XTOL, or $2 less than Kodak's original, both in 5L packaging—so a lot more expensive per liter.



I use XTOL stock a lot and don't find any storage issues. I think that is much overhyped.


Karl