I wish Kodak would publish the formulas for their developers, now that they're all gone. I'd love to be able to mix my own Technidol (which is long-gone) or TMAX developer (which I guess is now-gone). I am not holding my breath that that will ever happen though.
There is a formula for "Mytol" published in the Darkroom Cookbook which is described as being "similar to Kodak XTOL." I'm going to try it once my supply of Xtol is depleted.
...they said they finally got their last order from Kodak for this chemical and have about 430 bags in stock left.
There's the patent formula, which I have tried and I am very pleased with. It would be very hard to make a proper comparison between the patent formula and the actual product, but in my experience it works flawlessly and gives results that one would expect from Xtol. I have used the development times proposed in the Xtol datasheet and they work fine. I have even reused the developer and extended times according to the instructions, getting excellent results.
So, it's certainly anything but meaningless.
I used the last of my Xtol-R a few months back and switched to Adox XT-3 because I saw the handwriting on the wall. I'm very satisfied with XT-3 and actually like it better, but that's just my opinion.
XT3 is expensive and I only use xtol at 1+2 $20/5 liter bag...plus it's not availableJust curious, what do you like better about the XT-3? I've been vaccillating between that and Eco-Pro when last of my XTOL is gone.
Just curious, what do you like better about the XT-3? I've been vaccillating between that and Eco-Pro when last of my XTOL is gone.
I gather that ascorbate type developers have been known since the 60's the problem was their active life was measured in hours once mixed. Kodak solved that problem with Xtol and it is a long lasting developer, like D76 and others.Determining the formula for a developer isn't rocket science. A company (like Ilford) with a well-equipped analytical chemistry lab could do it.
Just curious, what do you like better about the XT-3? I've been vaccillating between that and Eco-Pro when last of my XTOL is gone.
Where is everyone buying the XT-3? Freestyle shows out of stock on both the 1l and 5l. B&H or Adorama don't list it.
Have you purchased through fotoimpex? If so, what were the freight charges? I realize that you are in Canada and I'm in the USA.ADOX XT-3 Developer to mix 5000 ml - fotoimpex.com analogue photography
Well balanced film developer based on ascorbic acid yielding full box speed negatives with high sharpness and very fine grain. Hydroquinone-free and without boric acid ...www.fotoimpex.com ADOX XT-3 Developer to mix 1000 ml - fotoimpex.com analogue photography
Well balanced film developer based on ascorbic acid yielding full box speed negatives with high sharpness and very fine grain. Hydroquinone-free and without boric acid ...www.fotoimpex.com
I have. You can add things to the cart and it will show the freight. I did an order of about 300 euros worth of film, paper and chemistry and the freight was about 35 euro. I found that the initial charge was high, but I could add quite a few items and that didn't change the shipping. There were in the process of changing shipping to the US, so it might be different now from last summer.
I picked up some of the Euro sized Ilford paper that isn't stocked here, like 9.5x12 and 12x16. I found the prices very competitive with what I can buy Ilford for on this side of the Atlantic.
I've looked at that patent (have it saved on my computer somewheres) and was thinking that it wouldn't be all that hard to make on one's own. Though, I have not yet tried it. But your post above got me to thinking... if/when it does run out, I wonder if it would be a good little side business to be making XTOL-clone kits? Most of the ingredients are quite stable (from what I recall), so buying in bulk, then mixing and shipping the kits shouldn't be all the difficult.
You can find an older post by @Henning Serger who extensively tested XT-3 and compared it to Xtol.
If we assume that Eco Pro is a straight Xtol clone, then these XT-3 advantages extend to Eco Pro as well.
My biggest problem with Eco Pro is that it's made by an anonymous entity hidden behind a store/reseller brand. I am just not interested living in the world where makers are anonymous. The brand printed on a product box should also live on a website and hang on a physical building one can walk into and meet the CEO.
I have. You can add things to the cart and it will show the freight. I did an order of about 300 euros worth of film, paper and chemistry and the freight was about 35 euro. I found that the initial charge was high, but I could add quite a few items and that didn't change the shipping. There were in the process of changing shipping to the US, so it might be different now from last summer.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?