No EcoPro love?

Auer · Jun 22, 2021

With the currrent lamentation over Xtol issues and the jubilant reception for Adox XT-3 there's hardly a mention of EcoPro.

Any reason for that?
Just curious is all, it seems it would have been an easy alternative choice.

relistan · Jun 22, 2021

Auer said:
With the currrent lamentation over Xtol issues and the jubilant reception for Adox XT-3 there's hardly a mention of EcoPro.

Any reason for that?
Just curious is all, it seems it would have been an easy alternative choice.

It was discussed a fair bit in that thread at one point. I believe @Donald Qualls bought a few bags to try out replenished as well.

villagephotog · Jun 22, 2021

Auer said:
With the currrent lamentation over Xtol issues and the jubilant reception for Adox XT-3 there's hardly a mention of EcoPro.

Any reason for that?
Just curious is all, it seems it would have been an easy alternative choice.

I've mixed and used 2 5L bags of EcoPro. It has worked perfectly for me. I can't distinguish it any way from Xtol, but that's purely an in-use impression; I did not do any careful tests or plot H&D curves, and I also have only been using Xtol for 3 years or so -- maybe 30 rolls of film -- so I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable about it as many folks on this forum. So take my comment with that context in mind.

In any case, I use EcoPro the same way that I've used Xtol -- i.e. one-shot and same dilution (1+1), times/temperatures, and Paterson tank processing.

The one sort of calibration that I have done is to process a snip test when I first mix it, and then, over time, process new snip tests to make sure it isn't losing any potency in storage. I'm about to use the last of my latest batch of it, which is now 6 months old, and it has lost no activity that I can see within the limits of my snip test process. I've stored it in full, tightly capped bottles over that period.

Anyway, hope that helps. I wouldn't hesitate to use it again, although I'd like to find a liquid concentrate that I'm happy with; I'm not crazy about mixing dry chemicals in 5L batches and then juggling the storage in smaller bottles to keep it fresh. But that's a different saga.

NortheastPhotographic · Jun 22, 2021

Seems like great stuff! But the lack of actual replenished data keeps me from switching to it fully. Plus Kodak has sent me my replacement XTol and I'm otherwise fully stocked with the new batches. The replenished system is alive and well in our Jobo ATL3.

Mark Crabtree · Jun 22, 2021

I switched the Eco Pro in to my existing replenished Xtol a couple months ago and have noticed no difference. It does seem maybe a bit more stable, but no way to really prove that since I don't run control strips. I've used Xtol since it came out, but sad to say, have more faith in the reliability of Freestyle's supplier now than in Kodak.

MattKing · Jun 22, 2021

As X-Tol is now made in the USA, it may very well be coming from the same plant!
It does not, however, have a worldwide distribution network, so if you aren't in the USA ....

Donald Qualls · Jun 22, 2021

relistan said:
I believe @Donald Qualls bought a few bags to try out replenished as well.

Got two bags and a fresh/unopened wine box with 5 L bladder, I plan to test with replenishment (it'll be "how does it work, and for how long" rather than anything involving sensitometry, however). I have every confidence, based on what I've read, that it should be a direct replacement and I think I recall one other user having done replenishment with EcoPro (we had to talk him out of using it to replenish his Xtol -- I don't know for certain that's a bad idea, but I don't know for certain it's a good one, either). I'll start with the standard Xtol rate of 70 ml per 80 square inches and go from there.

Mark Crabtree · Jun 22, 2021

MattKing said:
As X-Tol is now made in the USA, it may very well be coming from the same plant!
It does not, however, have a worldwide distribution network, so if you aren't in the USA ....

Good to know and I wish them the best, but just tired of chasing the latest problems.

And I do replenish and did switch it right into my existing Xtol. I probably added quart or so of the new Eco Pro at that time since my replenished stock had sat for a while.

Donald Qualls · Jun 22, 2021

Old Gregg said:
When shopping for an Xtol replacement, ADOX looks like a much better partner with Mirko himself answering questions here.

You make a good point, but I can buy EcoPro today and have it on my porch in a week with economy shipping, or overnight if I'm desperate enough. Last I heard, it was still taking a couple months to get XT-3 from Germany via DHL -- if they didn't just lose it for you.

DMJ · Jun 22, 2021

I used it with great results. The address at the bottom of the pdf with the product instructions is the same as Freestyles's distribution center. The kentmere web address is not correct though. So EcoPro is Freestyle's version of Xtol but I don't know who really makes it for them. I'm going to ask them, going to the store soon.

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/pdf/...ro_Ascorbic_Acid_Powder_Film_Developer_AB.pdf

villagephotog · Jun 22, 2021

Old Gregg said:
My problem with EcoPro is their anonymity. EcoPro is not a company. It has no web site. No mailing address. No employees listed on LinkedIn. It is just a faceless distributor brand. I have no idea who's doing R&D or manufacturing. It doesn't even have a proper data sheet. When shopping for an Xtol replacement, ADOX looks like a much better partner with Mirko himself answering questions here.

Maybe these folks? (Not sure, but found a bit of info pointing to them):

https://www.photosys.com/

I've only done 10 minutes of casual sleuthing, but it seems like they may also be the folks behind "Unicolor". Again, just some hints found; wouldn't bet 5 cents on it.

Edit: Seems like they definitely are "Unicolor", and regardless of what else they do, they'll sell you 25 lbs. of hydroquinone, and who knows when that might come in handy.

Mark Crabtree · Jun 22, 2021

Old Gregg said:
My problem with EcoPro is their anonymity. EcoPro is not a company. It has no web site. No mailing address. No employees listed on LinkedIn. It is just a faceless distributor brand. I have no idea who's doing R&D or manufacturing. It doesn't even have a proper data sheet. When shopping for an Xtol replacement, ADOX looks like a much better partner with Mirko himself answering questions here.

Freestyle is the company just as Kodak is the company for Xtol even though they don't make it themselves. Freestyle was very helpful the only time I had a question about their chemistry; they contacted their manufacturer and got back to me with an answer.

ADOX is a great company too, and deserves the business, so plenty of good choices.

cmacd123 · Jun 22, 2021

many of the chemicals freestyle distributes seem to be made by Photo systems, which was formerly Unicolor. (at least that used to be the address on the MSDS) you can say for sure that Legacy Pro is a brand of Freestyle, just like Arista, that they have made by various suppliers.

No EcoPro love?

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