Kodak XTOL trade concern announcment

[mshchem]

It's a Lelit Mara X.

https://coffeeequipmentreviews.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/lelit-marax-review-in-progress/

Mick.

I'm on the hunt, thanks!
Mike

 

[Mick Fagan]

I'm on the hunt, thanks!
Mike

If you get one, I'm pretty sure you will like it. Today I had my neighbour in, she has a Rancilio Silva with a PID and anything else she was able to add when it was bought some years ago. I made her a coffee, she watched the machine closely as I went through the machinations; then she tasted her coffee.

The first question was, "how much does it cost?"

We've been wondering if she is contemplating selling the children to buy a new coffee machine.

Mick.

 

[mnemosyne]

I checked on the Fotoimpex website and it seems that also Fomadon Excell is out of stock. Could it be that they use the same subcontractor for manufacturing ?

Karl-Gustaf

This would be hard to believe. I assume what we see is that, with all the uncertainties around Xtol, some Xtol users are stocking up on Excel for the time being.

 

[radiant]

This would be hard to believe. I assume what we see is that, with all the uncertainties around Xtol, some Xtol users are stocking up on Excel for the time being.

Probably. I think fotoimpex haven't stocked Excel that much either because everyone is buying Xtol anyways. I hoarded 3 bags last week - which I wouldn't normally do.

 

[Rowreidr]

Pretty sure I copy/pasted or used a mailto link from the page linked at the top of this thread.

I replied back to my originally sent January 1 email yesterday morning, asking what my status was, and got a response in the afternoon.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I replied back to my originally sent January 1 email yesterday morning, asking what my status was, and got a response in the afternoon.

I just dug mine up (sent on 12/31) and did the same. We'll see what I get this time.

 

[honerich]

I replied back to my originally sent January 1 email yesterday morning, asking what my status was, and got a response in the afternoon.

And what was their response? I'm also waiting for an answer, whether I can use Xtol with one of the "bad" date codes, still in a sealed bag. Or is "trade concern" just another expression for "We don't care, just wait and then buy some more bags"?

 

[removedacct1]

And what was their response? I'm also waiting for an answer, whether I can use Xtol with one of the "bad" date codes, still in a sealed bag. Or is "trade concern" just another expression for "We don't care, just wait and then buy some more bags"?

Those of us who got a response have already quoted what was said. However, I will paste it here for you.

"Thanks for reaching out to us and bringing this issue to our attention. Regarding our XTOL developer that you have we’ll certainly get this taken care of for you.

Given the circumstances, we’re going to go ahead and get this item replaced for you with new product. For this, we’ll just need some information from you. At your convenience, please reply to my email with the following:

• Phone Number:
• Preferred Email Address:
• Your Shipping Address (for replacement):
• Quantity of XTOL Developer for Replacement • Which Distributor did you purchase your XTOL Developer from?

Regarding the current XTOL product you have in your care, please feel free to dispose of it as there is no need to return this to us at Sino Promise.

We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you and that our product did not meet expectations. Rest assured that your replacement product directly and it will meet all appropriate criteria. I expect the replacement product to be sent to you by mid-February.

Thanks, and I’ll keep an eye out for your response and please don’t hesitate to keep in touch if you have any further questions."

Can you use the packages of Xtol you still have? Yes, certainly you can. But don't be surprised if - like myself and several others - you find you get thin, flat, underdeveloped negatives. Proceed at your own risk.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

And what was their response? I'm also waiting for an answer, whether I can use Xtol with one of the "bad" date codes, still in a sealed bag. Or is "trade concern" just another expression for "We don't care, just wait and then buy some more bags"?

I'm using mine and they're working perfectly.

 

[warden]

And what was their response? I'm also waiting for an answer, whether I can use Xtol with one of the "bad" date codes, still in a sealed bag. Or is "trade concern" just another expression for "We don't care, just wait and then buy some more bags"?

If you run a test roll and the Xtol works as expected then use it. If you run a test roll and it under-develops (which will be visually obvious) then your only cost is the wasted roll of film and your time. Either way you'll get replacement Xtol when available.

I haven't tested my Xtol because I don't want to waste time and $7 of film testing $14 of questionable chemistry. I'll wait for the replacement chemistry and run a test roll of that instead. Either way I'm out a roll of film and some time but at least with the replacement chemistry I can expect the result of the test to be positive. In the meantime I'm using other developers.

 

[honerich]

And what was their response?

Thanks for your answers! When my good Xtol stock will be used, I'll give it a try with a few test shots on cheap 135 APX film (=Kentmere), rewind this film, cut the appropriate length and develop it. As we are in lock-down, this waste of time is tolerable. If it works as expected, then there is no need to look for another universal developer. If it doesn't work, the testing of several film / dev. combinations will take a lot more time.

 

[braxus]

I dont get it. I mixed up my first batch of Xtol on November 11th just last year. Did 8 rolls from it and still had some Xtol left in the bag for later. I just developed 2 rolls using 800 ml of fluid, with a little still left over. I checked the negatives and they are as dense as they were when I used it back in November. So I dont really know what is wrong with this developer? It seems fine to me, even after sitting for 2 months.

 

[wyofilm]

I dont get it. I mixed up my first batch of Xtol on November 11th just last year. Did 8 rolls from it and still had some Xtol left in the bag for later. I just developed 2 rolls using 800 ml of fluid, with a little still left over. I checked the negatives and they are as dense as they were when I used it back in November. So I dont really know what is wrong with this developer? It seems fine to me, even after sitting for 2 months.

Did you confirm that your Xtol is 'trade concern' Xtol? Assuming your Xtol is from that group, your observation would be in the same as Andrew O'Neill's. Makes one wonder if there was a shipment or storage problem for some part of the 'trade concern' Xtol. It is a mystery. I have my one and only purchase of Xtol (yes it is 'Trade concern Xtol') on the shelf. Perhaps I'll try it.

 

[braxus]

Did you confirm that your Xtol is 'trade concern' Xtol? Assuming your Xtol is from that group, your observation would be in the same as Andrew O'Neill's. Makes one wonder if there was a shipment or storage problem for some part of the 'trade concern' Xtol. It is a mystery. I have my one and only purchase of Xtol (yes it is 'Trade concern Xtol') on the shelf. Perhaps I'll try it.

I got my bags from the same seller as Andrew and Matt. So yes my bags are confirmed to be part of the problem batches. I might just use my other bag and not worry about the issues with it.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Developed two more 4x5 sheets just now to check correct DR for replenishment development. All is well.

 

[DonW]

I still haven't gotten a reply from the Chinese!

 

[wyofilm]

I still haven't gotten a reply from the Chinese!

I wonder if the delay has to do with where you bought your developer. I assume Sino has to confirm the xtol purchase from retailers before they commit to sending out fresh stock. Maybe some retailers are faster at communicating to Sino than others.

From whom did you purchase your Xtol?

 

[MattKing]

I still haven't gotten a reply from the Chinese!

Your reply will most likely come from Rochester if you are in the US, and it will be from the same people who were Kodak Alaris employees recently, and were quite likely to have been Eastman Kodak employees before that.

 

[pentaxuser]

Your reply will most likely come from Rochester if you are in the US, and it will be from the same people who were Kodak Alaris employees recently, and were quite likely to have been Eastman Kodak employees before that.

Matt, he is from God's country which is where Bill Bryson chose to live in this sceptred isle we call the U.K. That is to say, Yorkshire, England .. There's not another God's country is there?

pentaxuser

 

[Nige]

There's not another God's country is there?

pentaxuser

I believe it's Australia

 

[Donald Qualls]

I believe it's Australia

Funny, I grew up hearing constant argument whether it was idaho, Oregon, or Montana.

 

[pentaxuser]

Funny, I grew up hearing constant argument whether it was idaho, Oregon, or Montana.

Time we made this one a sticky

pentaxuser

 

[mshchem]

John Kinsella:
Is this heaven?

Ray Kinsella:
It's Iowa.

John Kinsella:
Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven.

Case closed.

 

[MattKing]

John Kinsella:
Is this heaven?

Ray Kinsella:
It's Iowa.

John Kinsella:
Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven.

Case closed.

Written by a Canadian.
Res Ipsa Loquitor.

 

[mshchem]

Written by a Canadian.
Res Ipsa Loquitor.

Hell Yes! Then it's got to be true.
When they made the film, Iowa was in a rare drought, the film makers sprayed green dye on the corn fields.