• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Newbie -Xtol with Ilford Delta 400 dilutions

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,651
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
Just curious, how you guys compare with Divided D-23 and other variations with Xtol or repl Xtol?

One problem is that I don't shoot that frequently to use 5l Xtol before it dies.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,715
Location
Switzerland
Format
Multi Format
baachitraka said:
Just curious, how you guys compare with Divided D-23 and other variations with Xtol or repl Xtol?

One problem is that I don't shoot that frequently to use 5l Xtol before it dies.
Click to expand...

I don't. I found something that works really well for me, so I don't try to fix what isn't broken.

People make much too big of a deal of the developers and film they use. Maybe not what you want to hear, but no film or developer is going to make or break a photographic print. It doesn't matter that much. Just pick one that's likely to stick around for a while, and learn how to exploit it to your liking.
 

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,651
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
Its only me that is really unsettled with the choice of the developer for fast film(400 or faster).

I am quite happy with Rodinal(1+50) for slow film(APX 100 and PanF+) + Adox MCP 310/312 paper with a condenser enlarger.

Rodinal is little grainy for my taste with fast film even printing on (24x18cm). So, I am in quest to find something better(artistically it may have different meaning) than what Rodinal can deliver for fast film.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,715
Location
Switzerland
Format
Multi Format
You might want to try Ilfotec DD-X. It has many of Xtol's virtues, but comes in smaller containers. It's a great developer. Kodak's TMax is very similar.

Xtol is a bit unique in the fine grain it yields, and at the same time extracts so much shadow detail while yielding sharp negatives, especially diluted 1:1.

How about this: Just use the developer straight or 1:1. After six months simply discard what you're not using.
 

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,651
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
Yeah, I will mix it soon. Its not so expensive even if I waste a litre or more than that.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,715
Location
Switzerland
Format
Multi Format
Really good points, Michael. The idea of really learning how to use a developer, in order to get the most out of it, is paramount.
 

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,651
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
Thanks Michael. I will sort it out and find what fits for my taste, without sacrificing too much with fast films.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register