Xtol dilutions

[daveozzz]

Can anyone explain to me what the impact of diluting xtol is on the results I'd get? I'm still a bit confused about the difference between using straight-up, 1:1 and 1:2 etc.
I've got 3 rolls of Tri-X @ 800EI waiting to do - anyone got a recommendation?

I've tried one in 1:2 dilution which was fine but I'd like to understand whether I could change the grain or what by varying the solution.

Cheers.

 

[kaiyen]

Well, XTOL is a solvent developer. It's more modern than, say, D76, so the rules don't follow quite as well but...

As you dilute the developer, you reduce the amount of sulfite, which dissolves the grain. This means that you get better sharpness, but also more grain. You should technically get a bit more speed when it's diluted, too.

Since it's only a 1 stop underexposure, you can probably just develop as you would at EI 400 and be fine. Or just add a bit of time, as per the info at digitaltruth.

allan