Instant Mytol Recipe

[John Wiegerink]

Most likely it's because the shutter speed was 1/125th and it was quite windy, (I tried to wait for things to calm before exposing each frame) so there may be some motion blur in some frames.
I chose FP4 because it is so flat when dry, so there shouldn't be any issue with scanner focus. I might scan one of the other Xtol frames and see if it looks any difference. I suppose it's possible that FX-55 might not have the same grain solvent ability that Xtol has, due to the lack of sulfite.

Paul,
I wouldn't waste my time doing that extra scanning unless you feel like it. The difference could be just as you say, but whatever it is it isn't worth fretting over. I've been using mostly Foam films for testing cameras after repair/tune-up and find the curl and cupping makes a pretty fair film almost unusable for anything but testing. That's a problem I don't have with Ilford films, which makes it worth paying a few pennies more. I have pretty much given up trying to experiment with non-staining developers. Adox XT-3 replenished does all I want it to do and it lasts nearly forever. So, as for a Vitamin C developer it's my magic bullet. I did use Mytol, Karl R's PC-512 and Gainer's PC-TEA and there is nothing wrong with any of those. I guess it's different strokes for different folks!

 

[relistan]

They appear to perhaps not have quite the same density. Comparing grain at different densities is also error prone. But the whole point is that it is illustrative of how little the effect is when the rest of the developer is right. Thanks for posting @retina_restoration

 

[Sidd]

In case you didn't know already, @relistan's PC-512 Borax uses fewer ingredients than Instant Mytol and is gaining a solid reputation as a XTol-like developer. Merits consideration.

Presently @relistan 's PC-512 Borax is my go to developer. It is really very good. Also it's produces commendable results for pushing, although I've tried only 1 stop till now.

 

[aconbere]

I mixed up PC-512 last week and was very happy with the results. When I’ve worked through that I’ll give mytol and mocon a shot. I appreciate everyone hopping in with recipes

 

[relistan]

Presently @relistan 's PC-512 Borax is my go to developer. It is really very good. Also it's produces commendable results for pushing, although I've tried only 1 stop till now.

Awesome, glad it's doing the job!

I mixed up PC-512 last week and was very happy with the results. When I’ve worked through that I’ll give mytol and mocon a shot. I appreciate everyone hopping in with recipes

Great, yeah, give them all a try and see what does what you want.

 

[Sidd]

Awesome, glad it's doing the job

Definitely

 

[Ohio Sean]

Mytol--R

This has been a very informative post and covers a lot of what I was looking for, however, with all the different variants of Mytol (regular and instant), other than the concentrated iteration, which version do we feel has the best shelf-life? I've seen a few posts where people ask about replenishing Mytol, but have never seen where anyone has tried it.

In the past I had been using the "standard" Mytol formula with 60 grams sodium sulfite. In the 4th edition of The Darkroom Cookbook, the sodium sulfite is increased to 85 grams and sites increased shelf-life as the reason. It says the 60 grams formerly suggested was for increased sharpness, but that this was never realized.

Which version of Mytol might have the best shelf-life and, therefore, be best suited to replenishing? Or is there some reason I'm not thinking of that makes this a bad idea?

 

[BHuij]

Mytol--R

This has been a very informative post and covers a lot of what I was looking for, however, with all the different variants of Mytol (regular and instant), other than the concentrated iteration, which version do we feel has the best shelf-life? I've seen a few posts where people ask about replenishing Mytol, but have never seen where anyone has tried it.

In the past I had been using the "standard" Mytol formula with 60 grams sodium sulfite. In the 4th edition of The Darkroom Cookbook, the sodium sulfite is increased to 85 grams and sites increased shelf-life as the reason. It says the 60 grams formerly suggested was for increased sharpness, but that this was never realized.

Which version of Mytol might have the best shelf-life and, therefore, be best suited to replenishing? Or is there some reason I'm not thinking of that makes this a bad idea?

Probably not the best direct answer to your question given your stated goal of trying replenishment, but the recipe I'm using here has, essentially, indefinite shelf-life, for the simple reason that it is stored dry (with the exception of phenidone which is stored in solution with propylene glycol). These "capsules" can sit there for years and should still work just fine when mixed up with distilled water immediately before use.

 

[Ohio Sean]

Probably not the best direct answer to your question given your stated goal of trying replenishment, but the recipe I'm using here has, essentially, indefinite shelf-life, for the simple reason that it is stored dry (with the exception of phenidone which is stored in solution with propylene glycol). These "capsules" can sit there for years and should still work just fine when mixed up with distilled water immediately before use.

Bruij,

I'd like to see what you're referring to, but that link won't open for me. Could you share the actual URL?

Yes--not exactly what I'm going for, but I can see the advantage of a capsule. My first objective is to cut costs just a bit more. My second objective is to not need to make a liter of developer every week or two by stretching it out a bit through replenishment. My favorite ratio is 1+1 and it doesn't last long especially if I use it for 4x5.

 

[retina_restoration]

Bruij,

I'd like to see what you're referring to, but that link won't open for me. Could you share the actual URL?

Yes--not exactly what I'm going for, but I can see the advantage of a capsule. My first objective is to cut costs just a bit more. My second objective is to not need to make a liter of developer every week or two by stretching it out a bit through replenishment. My favorite ratio is 1+1 and it doesn't last long especially if I use it for 4x5.

My own needs for an Ascorbate developer is similar: most recipes (including Xtol) are either very short-lived in storage (Mytol), or are unreliable after a few months (Xtol, depending on how its stored) and so I have mostly quit using Xtol and Mytol and instead have gone to using FX-55, another Ascorbate/Phenidone developer that can be stored almost indefinitely, since you mix the three parts right before use. Yes, it's a bit more bother because you have to weight out the Ascorbate every time you make up the working solution, but the alkali components last for years in solution, and the Phenidone can be made up as a 1% solution in Glycol, and that lasts for 2 years or more. It's really not much trouble and the bonus is that it has a very long shelf life and is reliable and consistent every time you make it.
Results from FX-55 are nearly identical to Xtol and Mytol.

 

[John Wiegerink]

My own needs for an Ascorbate developer is similar: most recipes (including Xtol) are either very short-lived in storage (Mytol), or are unreliable after a few months (Xtol, depending on how its stored) and so I have mostly quit using Xtol and Mytol and instead have gone to using FX-55, another Ascorbate/Phenidone developer that can be stored almost indefinitely, since you mix the three parts right before use. Yes, it's a bit more bother because you have to weight out the Ascorbate every time you make up the working solution, but the alkali components last for years in solution, and the Phenidone can be made up as a 1% solution in Glycol, and that lasts for 2 years or more. It's really not much trouble and the bonus is that it has a very long shelf life and is reliable and consistent every time you make it.
Results from FX-55 are nearly identical to Xtol and Mytol.

Paul,
I've never tried FX-55, but have heard many good things about it. I'm sure some of those "things" are probably blown up a little, but the good things must out weigh the bad since FX-55 has a pretty strong following. I use Adox XT-3 replenished, which is basically the same as Xtol replenished and it works a treat. I'm wondering if you have tried Xtol replenished or just prefer FX-55? The only downside I can see to using Xtol in a replenishment system is that you are already working at an equivalent to a 1+1 or 1+2 dilution rate. Whereas with FX-55 you can use it as a full strength developer or a diluted one and still have a long shelf life. That's what I miss when using XT-3 replenished. There are times that I would like the smoother look of full strength. Like in a portrait or for a more softer, moody look.

 

[retina_restoration]

Paul,
I've never tried FX-55, but have heard many good things about it. I'm sure some of those "things" are probably blown up a little, but the good things must out weigh the bad since FX-55 has a pretty strong following. I use Adox XT-3 replenished, which is basically the same as Xtol replenished and it works a treat. I'm wondering if you have tried Xtol replenished or just prefer FX-55? The only downside I can see to using Xtol in a replenishment system is that you are already working at an equivalent to a 1+1 or 1+2 dilution rate. Whereas with FX-55 you can use it as a full strength developer or a diluted one and still have a long shelf life. That's what I miss when using XT-3 replenished. There are times that I would like the smoother look of full strength. Like in a portrait or for a more softer, moody look.

I don't ever use a replenished developer system, I always use something more dilute, so I can't speak to that aspect of it.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I don't ever use a replenished developer system, I always use something more dilute, so I can't speak to that aspect of it.

Thanks Paul, I was just wondering that's all. I've had good luck with replenishment, but I know that other folks haven't. I still worry about the developer drifting, but so far, so good. You are right about being locked into one dilution with replenishment and that part I really don't care for. Trade offs I guess?