Mixing Rodinal and Xtol

[BetterSense]

I like the "Rodinal Look". It's the only developer that has much of "a look", at least to me.

Sometimes I want every last bit of speed I can get. I find that Xtol 1+1 gives me the most shadow speed of any developer I've tried. Xtol doesn't really have a look. It looks fine grained and plain. Couple that with plain-looking Tmax and you see where this is going.

I've heard of people mixing Rodinal and Xtol, and this sounds like it might actually be a way to bring some life to Xtol, or bring some speed to Rodinal. What proportions and developing times have people used succesfully?

I typically use Tri-X, Tmax 400, and Acros 100. Sometimes Fomapan 100.

 

[Jerevan]

I've been meaning to, but I haven't got around to mixing Xtol and Rodinal (two favourites of mine) but there is some hints in this article: http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Rodinal/rodinal.html

 

[Gerald C Koch]

In general, mixing developers or adding chemicals to them may not produce an intended result. Manufacturers make an effort to make their formulas well balanced for speed, granularity, contrast, etc. Adding things to a developer can upset this balance. Your time might be better spent in finding a single developer that has the properties you seek

 

[jp498]

I like xtol 1+1 and TMY2 too, and know exactly what I'm going to get when I shoot and develop it. Same for Fomapan 100 and xtol 1+2.

You might try the Pyrocat HD or PMK. I rate the tmy2 half a stop slower or develop for a minute or two longer in the PMK. The PMK is a little grainier, but it's only noticeable in 35mm use.