Fuji Neopan Acros 100 - just use Xtol 1:1?

[Jedidiah Smith]

After my last post on here, I sat down with Kat, and had her look at Flickr and Google images of all kinds of B&W film. I typed the name of each film in for her, and then let her browse the results without me saying anything. I told her she could pick any of them for our project, just find what looked the best to her.

Guess which one she picks? Fuji Neopan Acros 100. So there you have it - from lips of babes - Fuji must have a winner there. Only, I might have shot one roll of Acros 100 in my entire life. I looked it up in the search on here, and seems like there are all kinds of developers that work, but replenished Xtol seemed to come up fairly often.
The question: since I don't have a replenished Xtol system, should I just use it diluted 1:1 and will that be about the same? Or is it worth it to find something more esoteric (to me) such as Fuji Microfine developer, etc to work with for our project?

Thanks!

 

[BetterSense]

Acros is great. My favorite medium-speed film.

Xtol 1:1 is my favorite developer when I opt-out of the convenience of rodinal.

It's all good man. We need to invent an acronym on APUG for people who worry about this kind of stuff...RDWGMSP..Relax don't worry go make some pictures.

 

[heespharm]

My all time favorite developer for acros is rodinal

 

[Axle]

Acros 100 in Xtol 1+1 is my usual combo
or....shoot it at ASA-50 and PMK Pyro 1+2+100

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Rodinal is the best developer for Acros. PMK is very good too.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I find the best developer for Acros is Rodinal, HC-110, D-76, Xtol and Microdol-X, or any other....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have used Neopan developed with replenished XTOL many times with beautiful results. Fine grain and smooth tonal gradations.

 

[RattyMouse]

I find the best developer for Acros is Rodinal, HC-110, D-76, Xtol and Microdol-X, or any other....

I second the suggestion of HC-110. I've developed close to 200 rolls of Acros with HC-110 and find the results outstanding. You could not ask for a simpler way to enjoy your photography than this combo.

 

[NedL]

I find the best developer for Acros is Rodinal, HC-110, D-76, Xtol and Microdol-X, or any other....

I too doubt that you will go wrong. And Ratty's right too... that's what I use.

 

[Jedidiah Smith]

Thanks for the suggestions. I realize I could use anything, but since I'll be buying everything for the project - literally starting completely over from scratch - I figure it can't hurt to have her start out with whatever's the best.
The only developers I've ever used are D76, HC110, and Xtol...sounds like one of them will work good!

 

[RattyMouse]

Thanks for the suggestions. I realize I could use anything, but since I'll be buying everything for the project - literally starting completely over from scratch - I figure it can't hurt to have her start out with whatever's the best.
The only developers I've ever used are D76, HC110, and Xtol...sounds like one of them will work good!

I forgot to mention that I use HC-110 at dilution E (1:47) when I develop Acros. Mighty cheap to develop film at that level of dilution.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Xtol 1:2 makes for great negatives with acros 100. I think at this higher dilution the developer really has a chance to increase sharpness and give a slight boost to film speed. This is the usual dilution I use xtol in. In the past I have gone even to 1:3 with fresh developer but I always liked the look of 1:2 and of course it would be more reliable and have shorter times.

 

[StayLost]

I regularly shoot Acros and develop it in Xtol Stock. I love the look of the shadows and almost no grain.

 

[bvy]

Perceptol stock gives the creamiest dreamiest results imaginable from properly exposed Acros. But it's fussy stuff. I'll be developing my backlog in HC-110.

(Haven't we had this thread before?)

 

[Jim Moore]

I regularly shoot Acros and develop it in Xtol Stock. I love the look of the shadows and almost no grain.

+1 I love this combo

 

[JW PHOTO]

Acros seems to be very liberal when it comes to developers it likes. That being said, I prefer the look of Perceptol 1:2 or 1:1 with diluted Rodinal a very close second. I used Rodinal 1:100 semi-stand for a picture of a big black steam locomotive and it was razor sharp, but not to razor sharp if you know what I mean. I made a 16x20 print from that Rolleiflex negative and was extremely happy. This combo dug into the shadows under the giant steel wheels and held the clouds on the bright overcast day. I would use Perceptol for people and Rodinal 1:100 for everything else and be happy. John W

 

[Sirius Glass]

I used replenished XTOL every time for Acros 100.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I used replenished XTOL every time for Acros 100.

Old thread but what's your normal time for Acros and Xtol-R? All my experience has been with HP5. Cheers!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Old thread but what's your normal time for Acros and Xtol-R? All my experience has been with HP5. Cheers!

I do not have a development time for Acros in replenished XTOL.

 

[Maris]

Old thread but what's your normal time for Acros and Xtol-R? All my experience has been with HP5. Cheers!

Acros exposed at EI =80 in replenished Xtol for me is 11minutes 15 seconds at 20C. The Xtol has been replenished at the rate of 90ml per film since the stock was mixed in 2007.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Acros exposed at EI =80 in replenished Xtol for me is 11minutes 15 seconds at 20C. The Xtol has been replenished at the rate of 90ml per film since the stock was mixed in 2007.

Excellent! Thank you, Maris. That will at least give me a starting point.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Acros exposed at EI =80 in replenished Xtol for me is 11minutes 15 seconds at 20C. The Xtol has been replenished at the rate of 90ml per film since the stock was mixed in 2007.

Excellent! Thank you, Maris. That will at least give me a starting point.

XTOL 1:1 times are roughly equal to replenished XTOL times from my experience

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

XTOL 1:1 times are roughly equal to replenished XTOL times from my experience

That's good to know. I've been using my 1+1 times successfully with HP5. Cheers!