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

10speeduk

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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

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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

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Kodak no longer recommends dilutions higher than 1+1 due to unpredictable results.
 
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10speeduk

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Thanks Michael, a detailed response I feel happier to go no now! Thanks Paul
 
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10speeduk

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Anyone have some agitation advice for Xtol/Acros?
 
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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.
 
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10speeduk

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Thanks Guys! This is enlightening
 

Dr Croubie

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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

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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.
 
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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.
 
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