Efke 100 35mm in Xtol- Developing Times

[braxus]

Im having a heck of a time getting a time for Efke 100 in Xtol, either Xtol straight or 1:1. Times I've seen are all over the map and they aren't even close to each other in times. So I have no idea as to what to actually do it at. Its a customer's roll, so I dont want to mess this up, especially since I've already been paid for the job. What times for Xtol straight or 1:1 do you guys recommend?

 

[Paul Howell]

The massive development chart list stock at 8 to 9 mints or 6 mint with continues agitation which seems to be in the ball park. I would add a bit of time as Etke has been out of production for many years and might need some additional development or decrease ISO a bit. I guess to be on the safe side I would go with 10 mints, rather have to deal with dense highlight than too thin of a negative. If you going to optically print, then you can develope to completion, say 15 ot even 20 mintis and print with a 00 filter. Of course with film this old no idea when it was shot of if the film has fog. This is a case where Diafine comes in handy. The increased in ISO will cover any loss of film speed, and 4 mints 4 mints, if there is a printable image Diafine will get it.

 

[braxus]

I take it that is 10 minutes for Xtol straight? It was a friends roll who recently shot it, and the film was freezer kept from new until the last 2 years ago.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yeah, MDC is 8 to 9 stock, I would just add another mint to make for any loss of film speed. I only shoot Efke 100 and 50 a couple of times, as I recall the emulsion is soft, I would use a old style fixer with hardener.