Lowdown on Clayton F76+

[NortheastPhotographic]

I'm looking for recommendations re Clayton F76+. With the XTol shortage I need a replacement developer that can work as my general purpose go-to using my Super Sidekick. F76+ looks like a decent choice, I like the liquid concentrate aspect.

I'm a little confused about it's recommendations re push processing. For some reason it wants me to cut dilution in half in combination with a higher temp, and longer time. Unfortunately my SSK is fixed at 20C. Is it not recommended to simply extend times at the standard 1:9 dilution?

If someone can give me general impressions, that would be great!

 

[Alan9940]

IMO, F76+ combined with Ilford Delta 100 is a truly magical combination! I tried it with Acros 100, but didn't really like it for that film. I don't do any push processing, so no opinion here.

 

[Bormental]

With the XTol shortage I need a replacement

I just ordered two bags of Xtol here:
http://www.glasskeyphoto.com/shopchemistry/xtol

Yes, that page looks weird (they're missing a stock photo), but it's a reputable shop here in SF.
My order showed up at my door the next day.

 

[pentaxuser]

Is there a shortage of Xtol and if so is it simply Covid -19 related?

pentaxuser

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Is there a shortage of Xtol and if so is it simply Covid -19 related?

pentaxuser

Can't say. But the major suppliers I use are out of stock. There are probably lots of baggies of it in smaller shops here and there but I guess I was too lazy to start randomly calling photo stores.

I ordered 5 gallons of Legacy Pro L76. You really can't go wrong with 'ol reliable.

 

[MattKing]

Is there a shortage of Xtol and if so is it simply Covid -19 related?

pentaxuser

Yes,

From Kodak Alaris' website

Update: COVID 19 Chemistry shipment delays; May 14, 2020

We are experiencing shipping delays on the products listed below.
KA operations is working as quickly as possible to resolve this.
Please check back on this page for updates.

1058296 1 Gal Professional DEKTOL Developer
1058304 1 Gal Professional Fixer
1058338 5L Professional XTOL Developer
5054184 2X25L TMAX Developer and Replenisher

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I just received a package of XTOL today so there must be some in the system.

 

[Bormental]

Also, everyone's saying that this Eco Pro developer is exact replica of Xtol:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758649-REG/Ecopro_747716_LegacyPro_Ascorbic_Acid_Powder.html

(I haven't tried, that was my "plan B")

 

[cjbecker]

Or just go down the route of a130 for all your developing needs. 1-10 for film 1-1 for paper. I order it threw photographers formulary. The stock solution lasts for years. ( literally, i had some last 6 years). Great stuff.

 

[MattKing]

I just received a package of XTOL today so there must be some in the system.

If it continues to be made in Germany, it may be that you in the UK have better access to it than those of us in North America.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I product I have is 'Made in Germany' - two packs inside an outside bag.

 

[MattKing]

I product I have is 'Made in Germany' - two packs inside an outside bag.

Can you share the Catalog number with us - it changed in 2019

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Can you share the Catalog number with us - it changed in 2019

Will check and post in the morning (my time)

 

[MattKing]

Will check and post in the morning (my time)

Thanks - the old one was 5160361, which changed in 2019 to 1058338.
All per KA's July 30, 2019 Product Change Bulletin.

 

[Paul Howell]

In the 80s and early 90s I used Clayton F76+ and F60, the store I shopped at had a contract with a few of the local school districts and as a regular customer he sold it to me at the same price, just over wholesale. At the time I was shooting Plus X and TriX, F76 was very much in keeping what I got from D76, F60 was marketed at a developer for Tgrain films, seemed to very close to Tmax developer. Once the bottle was open it has a shortish shelf life, as I was shooting a lot of 4X5 I used a bottle in a month, after that could go bad without warning. I was told that Clayton's line was developed for the Navy for use on ships, low odor. I still use their paper developers P90 and 20. Seems that Freestyle and Ultafine both sell Clayton's powder version under their house brands.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Thanks - the old one was 5160361, which changed in 2019 to 1058338.
All per KA's July 30, 2019 Product Change Bulletin.

The product I have is CAT number. 105 8338. manufacture date 2019-10-07, best before date October 2022. There is another number on the pack - 8435 8441.

 

[subsole]

Just bought Xtol here in Germany. Production date 2020/02/26, best before 2023/02, made in Germany. Cat 105 8338.

 

[MattKing]

The product I have is CAT number. 105 8338. manufacture date 2019-10-07, best before date October 2022. There is another number on the pack - 8435 8441.

Just bought Xtol here in Germany. Production date 2020/02/26, best before 2023/02, made in Germany. Cat 105 8338.

Thank you - clearly product is available in Europe.
It must be on a slow boat ......

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

North Coast Photo in California uses Clayton F76+. They developed my Tmax 100 and 400 4x5 film recently. Here're the shots.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/albums/72157714124881023

 

[ColdEye]

Has anyone developed Pan F 50+ or Berger 400 on F76+? I bought a liter to try it out, I have some hp5 and fp4 to experiment on too.