XTOL .... has it been discontinued ?

[John Salim]

Has Kodak XTOL developer been discontinued now, or had it's name changed ?
I'm having trouble finding any ( UK )

Thanks all,
John S

 

[tcolgate]

Has Kodak XTOL developer been discontinued now, or had it's name changed ?
I'm having trouble finding any ( UK )

Thanks all,
John S

I believe it has been renamed to XDEV, but none of my usual UK suppliers have that either.

 

[koraks]

or had it's name changed ?

Likely the latter as the XTOL name might be exclusively licensed to, or owned by Alaris.
Here's the present rendition of the product: https://kodak.photosys.com/collecti...cts/xtol-developer-powder-packet-cat-105-8338

I assume that temporary shortages are the result of the switchover to the new brand name.

 

[tcolgate]

Bristol cameras and first-call both say they have adox xt-3 in stock though.

 

[Emily Cook]

I believe it has been renamed to XDEV, but none of my usual UK suppliers have that either.

This seems to be the case, I recently ordered a batch of XTOL on Freestyle and it arrived in packaging branded as "XDEV" and saying something like "new name, same great developer".

 

[John Wiegerink]

Bristol cameras and first-call both say they have adox xt-3 in stock though.

I've used both Xtol and Adox Xt-3 and now only use Adox XT-3 for two reasons. 1. I can buy it in either a 1L package or a 5L package. 2. Much easier and less dusty to mix the stock solution. If there were a No. 3 it would be that it works just a well as Xtol with less muss and fuss.

 

[npl]

I've used both Xtol and Adox Xt-3 and now only use Adox XT-3 for two reasons. 1. I can buy it in either a 1L package or a 5L package. 2. Much easier and less dusty to mix the stock solution. If there were a No. 3 it would be that it works just a well as Xtol with less muss and fuss.

100% agree
OP another alternative that you should be able to get in the UK is foma fomadon Excel. Works the same but a bit harder to dissolve in my experience.

 

[Milpool]

New name - XDEV https://kodak.photosys.com/collecti...cts/xtol-developer-powder-packet-cat-105-8338

Has Kodak XTOL developer been discontinued now, or had it's name changed ?
I'm having trouble finding any ( UK )

Thanks all,
John S

 

[mshchem]

Especially in EU, Adox looks like an excellent choice. Super high quality standards. This is a reformulated product, not exactly the same, don't let the lemon yellow color worry you. XT-3 has excellent keeping properties and is much easier to dissolve and handle the dust free powder.

I am still using hoarded packages of XTOL that was manufactured by Tetenal in Germany, this is ultimate Kodak branded XTOL ever.

 

[BLEX]

Fotoimpex sells adox xt3 and ships worldwide

 

[pentaxuser]

Has Kodak XTOL developer been discontinued now, or had it's name changed ?
I'm having trouble finding any ( UK )

Thanks all,
John S

If you remain "sold" on Xtol, try the Imaging Warehouse in the U.K. Stock is low according to site but it is still obtainable It looks like "new" old stock as it is still called Xtol and it looks like the very old packaging i.e. the reliable stuff but best to ring them and ask. It's £18.95 now so more expensive but may still compare with Adox XT-3. I'll leave it to you to check


pentaxuser

 

[LenB]

In Canada, XTOL is sold as XTOL, manufactured in Michigan, by Photo Systems Inc.

I saw it online at Camera Traders, which is located in Victoria, BC. Other Canadian retailers have it in stock as well. Downtown Camera in Toronto has a good stock of the Kodak chemicals manufactured by Photo Systems Inc.

 

[mshchem]

Dexter's Photo Systems, Inc. becomes the new producer of Kodak Professional-branded chemicals | The Sun Times News

This new business deal will make the local company a worldwide exporter.

thesuntimesnews.com

 

[MattKing]

Dexter's Photo Systems, Inc. becomes the new producer of Kodak Professional-branded chemicals | The Sun Times News

This new business deal will make the local company a worldwide exporter.

thesuntimesnews.com

That is, of course, an announcement from 2023.

 

[retina_restoration]

Xtol is now marketed under the name "Xdev", because Eastman Kodak does not own the name "Xtol" — Kodak Alaris does.
Same goes for Kodak T-max films, which are now sold as "Ektapan".

 

[MattKing]

Likely the latter as the XTOL name might be exclusively licensed to, or owned by Alaris.
Here's the present rendition of the product: https://kodak.photosys.com/collecti...cts/xtol-developer-powder-packet-cat-105-8338

I assume that temporary shortages are the result of the switchover to the new brand name.

The name changes may have more to do with the name use licences having been assigned to the now defunct Sino Promise Holdings.

 

[MattKing]

Xtol is now marketed under the name "Xdev", because Eastman Kodak does not own the name "Xtol" — Kodak Alaris does.
Same goes for Kodak T-max films, which are now sold as "Ektapan".

See previous post about the chemicals - Kodak Alaris sold that part of their business to Sino Promise Holdings.

As I understand it, the situations for the name rights for a whole bunch of Kodak branded things are incredibly complex and convoluted and arguably unclear.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Gemini:
The former trade names XTOL, HC-110, DEKTOL, and FLEXICOLOR are currently owned by a Hong Kong-based company called Blue ISO Limited. [1]

Relationship Between Blue ISO and Sino Promise
Blue ISO Limited is actually Sino Promise under a new name. Public records show that Sino Promise Creative Culture International Limited officially changed its name to Blue ISO Limited in March 2023. The company continues to operate from the same address in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
When Sino Promise exited the chemical business in 2023, they retained the legal ownership of these specific trademarks, which they had acquired from Kodak Alaris in 2020. [1, 2]
Because Photo Systems Inc. (the current authorized manufacturer) licenses its rights directly from Eastman Kodak, and Eastman Kodak does not own these specific trade names, Photo Systems was forced to rename the products to avoid trademark conflict
Eastman Kodak attempted to re-register the XTOL trademark in 2024, but Blue ISO Limited successfully opposed the application in court, resulting in a default judgment that allowed Blue ISO to keep the name

 

[pentaxuser]

As I understand it, the situations for the name rights for a whole bunch of Kodak branded things are incredibly complex and convoluted and arguably unclear.

Sounds like a great source of income for the lawyers' pension fund. "It's an ill wind" as the saying goes

pentaxuser

 

[mshchem]

That is, of course, an announcement from 2023.

Exactly, also mentioned that this wasn't the first time that they've produced Kodak branded chemicals, I think they were supplying powders etc for Sino Promise after Tetenal faltered.
I wouldn't be surprised to see mass confusion around the EK black and white chemistry.

Probably same thing with Ilford if it's coming from the US.

Ilford should hire Adox or bring it back to the UK. If Harman can make color film......But that is another story.

 

[Kino]

That's going to make discussion of developers on sites more confusing internationally. What a headache...

 

[mshchem]

Gemini:
The former trade names XTOL, HC-110, DEKTOL, and FLEXICOLOR are currently owned by a Hong Kong-based company called Blue ISO Limited. [1]

Relationship Between Blue ISO and Sino Promise
Blue ISO Limited is actually Sino Promise under a new name. Public records show that Sino Promise Creative Culture International Limited officially changed its name to Blue ISO Limited in March 2023. The company continues to operate from the same address in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
When Sino Promise exited the chemical business in 2023, they retained the legal ownership of these specific trademarks, which they had acquired from Kodak Alaris in 2020. [1, 2]
Because Photo Systems Inc. (the current authorized manufacturer) licenses its rights directly from Eastman Kodak, and Eastman Kodak does not own these specific trade names, Photo Systems was forced to rename the products to avoid trademark conflict
Eastman Kodak attempted to re-register the XTOL trademark in 2024, but Blue ISO Limited successfully opposed the application in court, resulting in a default judgment that allowed Blue ISO to keep the name

Brilliant! I love it. Intellectual property rights!!! Well there's a 180° turn, China telling the USA to stop stealing trademarks

 

[mshchem]

Just sell Microdol-X in cans. People would be standing in line!

 

[igzabeher]

I have cans. Not sure my wife would appreciate a line at my door, though.

 

[MattKing]

Gemini:
The former trade names XTOL, HC-110, DEKTOL, and FLEXICOLOR are currently owned by a Hong Kong-based company called Blue ISO Limited. [1]

Relationship Between Blue ISO and Sino Promise
Blue ISO Limited is actually Sino Promise under a new name. Public records show that Sino Promise Creative Culture International Limited officially changed its name to Blue ISO Limited in March 2023. The company continues to operate from the same address in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
When Sino Promise exited the chemical business in 2023, they retained the legal ownership of these specific trademarks, which they had acquired from Kodak Alaris in 2020. [1, 2]
Because Photo Systems Inc. (the current authorized manufacturer) licenses its rights directly from Eastman Kodak, and Eastman Kodak does not own these specific trade names, Photo Systems was forced to rename the products to avoid trademark conflict
Eastman Kodak attempted to re-register the XTOL trademark in 2024, but Blue ISO Limited successfully opposed the application in court, resulting in a default judgment that allowed Blue ISO to keep the name

Thanks for the research @Alan Johnson.