Current reliability of Xtol

[Alan9940]

I haven't used Xtol for many years, but I'm starting to get the itch to play around with replenished XTOL. I've seen a number of comments about the interwebs from a couple of years ago discussing a major issue with current lot numbers, and that some folks had issues with lot numbers not listed by Kodak. Before I go down any rabbit hole, I was wondering about the current reliability of this developer. What say you XTOL users?

Thanks!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It's all good now. My Xtol-R is going strong, from replacement packages.

 

[John Salim]

I've been using XTOL ( replenished processing line ) ever since we field tested it back in the 90's and have never had problems with it.
Even with the recent issues, it's all been good !

Hope that's helpful.
John S

 

[MattKing]

If the package says Sino Promise, it is "fresh".

 

[Steven Lee]

The currently available Xtol from Sino Promise is solid. I mixed my last bag in March 2022 using distilled water. It has been kept in amber bottles with no oxygen and still delivers the same results as fresh as verified with a densitometer. Looks like in a few weeks I will be able to report a full year of shelf life. My 3L Xtol-R batch is somewhere between 2 and 3 years old.

 

[Alan9940]

The package pics on both B&H and Freestyle show an August 2019 production date which, I believe, was during the. period where all (or most) of the issues occurred. Surely, B&H would have more recent stock by now? Is the Sino Promise labeling written on the lower left of the package front?

Anyway, based on your helpful replies it seems safe to move forward.

 

[MattKing]

Yes, the labelling now says Sino Promise (not Kodak Alaris) on current packages. In fact, even the bags themselves may be a different size - there has been a lot of packaging changes.
The product illustration photos on B&H's website are often out of date. It may be the same for Adorama.

 

[Alan9940]

Thanks Matt.

 

[mshchem]

The currently available Xtol from Sino Promise is solid. I mixed my last bag in March 2022 using distilled water. It has been kept in amber bottles with no oxygen and still delivers the same results as fresh as verified with a densitometer. Looks like in a few weeks I will be able to report a full year of shelf life. My 3L Xtol-R batch is somewhere between 2 and 3 years old.

I'm still working off a few more bags of the German stuff. You're experience is similar to mine. In proper bottles with zero air the stuff has an indefinite shelf life 12+ months. I love XTOL, replenished works great, 1 shot, diluted just exclude air, mix with purified water. All reports are GOOD on the current Sino Promise black and white chemistry.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

Yes, the labelling now says Sino Promise (not Kodak Alaris) on current packages. In fact, even the bags themselves may be a different size - there has been a lot of packaging changes.
The product illustration photos on B&H's website are often out of date. It may be the same for Adorama.

I can verify that the new bags are back to the smaller mylar type packaging similar to what it was before all the kerfuffle went down. When I get back into the shop I'll take a photo of it as I stock it for clients to purchase, but haven't yet switched back to using it in my own lab operations as I'm still burning down my supply of Ilford DD.

 

[Alan9940]

I can verify that the new bags are back to the smaller mylar type packaging similar to what it was before all the kerfuffle went down. When I get back into the shop I'll take a photo of it as I stock it for clients to purchase, but haven't yet switched back to using it in my own lab operations as I'm still burning down my supply of Ilford DD.

I would appreciate a pic of the correct packaging as further assurance that I get the most current stuff when I order.

 

[aparat]

I would appreciate a pic of the correct packaging as further assurance that I get the most current stuff when I order.

Here's mine. Just purchased from B&H. Perpahs @MattKing can confirm if these are the most recent ones:

20230214_074451 by Nick Mazur, on Flickr
20230214_074519 by Nick Mazur, on Flickr
20230214_074548 by Nick Mazur, on Flickr

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I would appreciate a pic of the correct packaging as further assurance that I get the most current stuff when I order.

If you don't trust it, you could also get Adox XT3

 

[MattKing]

Perpahs @MattKing can confirm if these are the most recent ones:

Sino-Promise is a good indicator! It means that the production date can't be before July 2020 and is highly likely after November 2020.
As for "most recent", I'm uncomfortable replying, because there have been so many interim packaging changes. What size are the bags - W x L x D?

 

[Sirius Glass]

It's all good now. My Xtol-R is going strong, from replacement packages.

Same for me. Keep it in well sealed bottles of bags without air and I can last for years. I use StopLossBags™ from www.StopLossBags.com and order the correct funnel to fill them.

 

[aparat]

Sino-Promise is a good indicator! It means that the production date can't be before July 2020 and is highly likely after November 2020.
As for "most recent", I'm uncomfortable replying, because there have been so many interim packaging changes. What size are the bags - W x L x D?

Thanks! My bag's dimensions in inches are 6x8 (both bags A and B). The bags are hot glued together.

P.S., this investigative work is a lot of fun!

 

[John Wiegerink]

When I get back up to my cottage, I'm going to dump my batch of Xtol-R. I bought Adox XT3 to try replenished and if it proves stable enough I will probably stick with it. If not, I'll be going back to Xtol. I have yet to find a better “all-around” nonstaining developer than Xtol and I have tried many.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks! My bag's dimensions in inches are 6x8 (both bags A and B). The bags are hot glued together.

P.S., this investigative work is a lot of fun!

That sounds like the most recent bags I've seen!

 

[Tim Stapp]

Same for me. Keep it in well sealed bottles of bags without air and I can last for years. I use StopLossBags™ from www.StopLossBags.com and order the correct funnel to fill them.

What is the capacity of the StopLossBags? I've looked, but didn't see any information on their website.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I love the old style wine bags since they were made out of Mylar. The newer wine bags aren't, and I don't trust them like I do Mylar. My Xtol working solution is stored in a Boston brown glass gallon jug and the replenisher is stored in the Mylar wine bladder. Works absolutely perfect for me.

 

[mshchem]

I love the old style wine bags since they were made out of Mylar. The newer wine bags aren't, and I don't trust them like I do Mylar. My Xtol working solution is stored in a Boston brown glass gallon jug and the replenisher is stored in the Mylar wine bladder. Works absolutely perfect for me.

That's a great method!

 

[Sirius Glass]

That sounds like the most recent bags I've seen!

I buy the 1 liter bags. There are other sizes but I never looked at those.

 

[MattKing]

I buy the 1 liter bags. There are other sizes but I never looked at those.

I was referring to the bags of X-Tol, not the bags designed to preserve varnish!

 

[Adrian Bacon]

I would appreciate a pic of the correct packaging as further assurance that I get the most current stuff when I order.

This is what has been shipping out the door for the last several months. It's the mylar type material the same as from before, but the actual satchel is smaller than before.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Adrian - that is slightly different than the most recent package I've seen.
I note with curiosity and some amusement that at least the front of the package seems to have a label on it that has been pasted over top another label