Wrong. Mix Solution A completely then add Solution B. See post #46 for some of the reasons.
Thank you! Is there a specific reason you like XTOL? That's a two part developer, right?
XTol comes in two bags, just like Ilford's ID-11 (equivalent to Kodak's D-76). It really isn't materially more difficult to mix up developers one bag at a time, vs. mixing up just one bag.Is there a specific reason you like XTOL? That's a two part developer, right?
Of course, Photrio is a great resource. There is a lot of wisdom here and relatively little BS.
That can be true. Keeping it simple is the best policy when first starting out (or returning from a long absence). The first film I developed after my long hiatus was the old guard D-76 - and guess what? It worked great. I also knew I was busy and wanted something 'off the shelf' ready to go. So I picked Ilford's HC - and guess what? It worked great. Then some time passed and read that DD-X was the way to go - it would make me my pictures better and me younger. And guess what? It worked damn near the same as D-76 and HC. Next, I picked Rodinal because I was teaching my kids about photography and I read about just how fool proof semi-stand development is. There are short comings, but guess what it worked. And so on.However concerning the choice of developers Apug is rather confusing, for a newbie at least.
I agree with you on these choices. DD-X and XTOL IF mixing 5 liters at a go worksKodak Alaris specifically recommends as their go to all around developer.
https://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/resources/AJ-3.pdf
I don't know if anyone else feels the resolution, but I do. Advice for film developer for someone starting out: Ilford DD-X (concentrated liquid) or Kodak Alaris Xtol (powder).
And yes, I realize it is just a conversation with myself at this point.
However concerning the choice of developers Apug is rather confusing, for a newbie at least.
There are a half a dozen or so common developers that will yield wonderful results with most any film shot in a standard way. To name a few Rodinal (liquid concentrate), DD-X (liquid concentrate), ID-ll (power), Ilfosol 3 (powder), Ilfotec HC (concentrated liquid), Xtol (power), D-76 (powder), and HC-110. Some on the list are Ilford products, some are Kodak products; the outlier is Rodinal. All will yield excellent results; all are versatile. The first main decision is do you want to mix powder (usually in the 1 gal to 5 litre range) or do you want to dilute a small amount of concentrated liquid each time you develop. For general work, I really like the convenience of using concentrated liquids. Using concentrated liquids is generally more expensive, but most often marginally so.
Some developers last a long time time - others fail without warning upon storage (Xtol come to mind). I use DD-X (on the expensive side) because it yields excellent results, is convenient, and has never failed me. I also us Rodinal (on the cheap side) because it is convenient, yields excellent results, and has never failed me.
You won't go wrong using any of the developers on the list above for most all situations. Other companies (Arista comes to mind) offer similar products. I've not used them so I can't comment.
Kodak Alaris specifically recommends as their go to all around developer.
https://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/resources/AJ-3.pdf
I don't know if anyone else feels the resolution, but I do. Advice for film developer for someone starting out: Ilford DD-X (concentrated liquid) or Kodak Alaris Xtol (powder).
And yes, I realize it is just a conversation with myself at this point.
No, it is very easy. Just use XTOL. Try it, you will like it.
Thanks, appreciate the info. So many people have suggested Rodinal that's next on the list (I've only used D76 and Tmax). Another person mentioned XTOL being their main developer, is there something in particular you like about it just a little more than the others?
Everyone at Apug kows that there is risk of sudden death for current XTOL.
Ilford DD is used by commercial labs using dip and dunk machines. DD is sold in the large jumbo colossal size, it is used as a replenisher. It requires a starter that adds bromide when making up a fresh "tank solution ". Ilford makes DD-X for people like us that want to use this developer without fiddling around with starters and ginormous packages. It's handy, can be used one shot in a rotary or used to it's stated capacity.I'm going to try Rodinal and Xtol, I'll add DDX to the list as well. I found two other Ilford liquid developers at my local shop but unless DD-X also goes by another name, it wasn't one of them. I want to say HC and Ilfosol, if I'm remembering correctly.
ABSOLUTELY, USE DISTILLED /DEMINERALIZED WATER IF YOU REALLY WANT TO DRIVE A STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF THIS NONSENSE. AS WITH EVERYTHING FULL CAPPED BOTTLES ARE THE KEY. OR AS THE OLD KODAK LITERATURE SAID "FULL STOPPERED BOTTLES"The XTOL sudden death has been dead for over a decade. It had to do with early packaging problems that have not reoccurred.
XTol lasts well. XTol doesn't give a visual indication when it dies.Everyone at Apug kows that there is risk of sudden death for current XTOL.
Rodinol and X-Tol will give results that look a bit different - particularly with respect to grain.I'm going to try Rodinal and Xtol, I'll add DDX to the list as well. I found two other Ilford liquid developers at my local shop but unless DD-X also goes by another name, it wasn't one of them. I want to say HC and Ilfosol, if I'm remembering correctly.
Valid point. This was a concern from the beginning, heavy users loved it because the developing agents didn't turn to black gunky tar. However the best you can hope to see is a very pale yellow as it goes off. I have developed a protocol that I use up a batch usually well before a year. Test anything you doubt.XTol lasts well. XTol doesn't give a visual indication when it dies.
If your batch has been mixed for more than six months test it before use.
I expect that the current "out of stock" status is due to how long it was out of stock before - they probably had a bunch of people who were waiting to buy.I didn't do an extensive search but both B&H and Freestyle are out of xtol. It was only month or so ago that I managed to buy xtol (the enthusiasm of Matt, Sirius, and mshchem compelled me to buy some). Before that it was unavailable. If I were choosing a new developer I don't think that xtol would be it. At least until supply is worked out. There are 'ascorbic acid' based xtol knock-offs out there. Are they truly xtol substitutes?
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