Acros in Xtol what agitation for 1:2, 1:3?

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,706
Messages
2,779,582
Members
99,682
Latest member
desertnick
Recent bookmarks
0

10speeduk

Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
158
Location
Ash, Kent
Format
Medium Format
Hi all, I have used acros in the past with ilfasol and found it to be very clean with no grain. With my new xtol I am thinking about developing at 1:2 or 1:3 dilution to increase the sharpness. I want to do this without producing noticeable grain. Can people share their experiences of acros in Xtol at 1:2 or 1:3 Vs 1:1 dilution? Does it noticeably increase sharpness/grain? I would love to know a good agitation method for 1:2/1:3 with acros too.

Thanks Paul
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,338
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
If you want increased sharpness with little grain and better tonality, use replenished XTOL [that means full strength]. After you used it for a while, you will forget about diluting XTOL at all.
 

Gerald C Koch

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
8,131
Location
Southern USA
Format
Multi Format
Kodak no longer recommends dilutions higher than 1+1 due to unpredictable results.
 
OP
OP

10speeduk

Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
158
Location
Ash, Kent
Format
Medium Format
Acros is an extremely fine grained film, and will likely be finer grained in XTOL at various dilutions than with Ilfosol (which operates at a significantly higher pH). While generalizations are difficult, assuming a constant contrast index, 1:3 will be slightly grainier than 1:1. Pretty much nothing else will happen, regardless of whether you agitate every minute or every three minutes. Longer agitation intervals can sometimes give the impression of increased sharpness if edge effects are enhanced, but I doubt you'd observe anything significant under this scenario. With general purpose solvent developers and current films, differences in image structure characteristics due to changes in agitation and/or dilution tend to be greatly exaggerated and clouded by subjective responses. For example, an increase in graininess often leads to a perceived increase in sharpness. Even the shape of the characteristic curve is more difficult to change than people assume.

The best thing is for you to try XTOL and stock, 1:1 and perhaps 1:3, under the same controlled exposure conditions, and developed to the same contrast index. Make some prints and decide what you see.

Thanks Michael, a detailed response I feel happier to go no now! Thanks Paul
 
OP
OP

10speeduk

Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
158
Location
Ash, Kent
Format
Medium Format
Anyone have some agitation advice for Xtol/Acros?
 
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,708
Location
Switzerland
Format
Multi Format
Anyone have some agitation advice for Xtol/Acros?

Agitation changes the tones. Longer agitation intervals, like every 5 minutes, will cause you to need longer development times. That longer developing time lifts the shadows for more effective film speed, and the highlight contrast is lowered. Midtones remain similar.

Short agitation intervals, like 5s every 30s will do the opposite. Since you need shorter developing time, the shadows are developed less, and the highlights reach full density faster.

I use this for different lighting. Normal to low contrast lighting I end up with normal agitation. In high contrast scenes I use reduced agitation.
 
OP
OP

10speeduk

Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
158
Location
Ash, Kent
Format
Medium Format
Thanks Guys! This is enlightening :smile:
 

Dr Croubie

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2013
Messages
1,986
Location
rAdelaide
Format
Multi Format
If you want increased sharpness with little grain and better tonality, use replenished XTOL [that means full strength]. After you used it for a while, you will forget about diluting XTOL at all.

So just a question, is there much difference (besides cost) with using xtol 1+0 as one-shot compared to "seasoning" and "replenishing"? (I've read about it on the datasheet, just never tried it in practice)
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,338
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
So just a question, is there much difference (besides cost) with using xtol 1+0 as one-shot compared to "seasoning" and "replenishing"? (I've read about it on the datasheet, just never tried it in practice)

Why use undiluted XTOL as a one shot? Other than wasting money there is no advantage.

Replenished XTOL is a significant improvement over stock XTOL. Stock XTOL does produce great results.
 
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,708
Location
Switzerland
Format
Multi Format
Why use undiluted XTOL as a one shot? Other than wasting money there is no advantage.

Replenished XTOL is a significant improvement over stock XTOL. Stock XTOL does produce great results.

Yep. Replenished Xtol is sharper, has finer grain, and to my eye more pleasing tonality. But you lose a half stop film speed.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom