Perplexed: Xtol clip test?

mshchem · Nov 22, 2019

I opened the A side of my suspect XTOL. I found a zero dust, very light Ivory colored, reasonably free flowing material. Absolutely no dust when pouring. This material is blended in Germany. The package was sealed perfectly, the weight was within a gram of the stated content. I am looking forward to KA getting the formula right, zero dust. Looks very much like the Adox approach at controlling dust. It smells like XTOL. I'm not going to fool with trying to use. I will be buying this when it's fixed.

mshchem · Nov 22, 2019

msage said:
Sounds like a lot of work! There is a easier way.
After mixing (using tap water, never had a problem but others may need to use distilled water) I split into brown glass liter bottles. I label with the date mixed and the "dump" date (6 months per Kodak).
That is it!
Xtol is $10 at my local camera shop, That works out to $.25 a roll (assuming 1:1 dilution, 35mm film and my math is correct). Usually I don't use all of the developer in 6 months but film is expense not to mention my time. I always error on the side of caution in these matters. To be successful in photography we need to control the factors we can and using fresh chemicals is a no brainer!

Brilliant approach! Following the instructions, and not wasting film or time.

reddesert · Nov 22, 2019

mshchem said:
I opened the A side of my suspect XTOL. I found a zero dust, very light Ivory colored, reasonably free flowing material. Absolutely no dust when pouring. This material is blended in Germany. The package was sealed perfectly, the weight was within a gram of the stated content. I am looking forward to KA getting the formula right, zero dust. Looks very much like the Adox approach at controlling dust. It smells like XTOL. I'm not going to fool with trying to use. I will be buying this when it's fixed.

But you have the developer, so why not do a clip test and tell us whether it's active?

mshchem · Nov 22, 2019

reddesert said:
But you have the developer, so why not do a clip test and tell us whether it's active?

I think the prudent course is, as others have advised, to not use this date code. I will wait for the all clear from KA.

reddesert · Nov 22, 2019

Sure it's prudent not to use it, but the clip test tells us something. If your packet is inactive, then there's definitely a problem that causes instant developer death. If your packet is active, then we don't know: it might be fine, it might die in a week, it might work only partially.

mshchem · Nov 22, 2019

reddesert said:
Sure it's prudent not to use it, but the clip test tells us something. If your packet is inactive, then there's definitely a problem that causes instant developer death. If your packet is active, then we don't know: it might be fine, it might die in a week, it might work only partially.

I've used XTOL for 20 plus years. There's no such thing as the mysterious instant developer death. Two things effect XTOL in particular, oxygen and impurities (iron etc.) in water.

From what is reliably known, the batch with the lot number mentioned by Alaris is not right. Personally I think it's something simple.Not enough active ingredient, a weighing error, etc.

The earliest XTOL packaging 20 plus years back wasn't adequate, thus doing away with the 1 liter packages. There is nothing wrong with how my "new" XTOL has been packaged. Perfectly sealed, no air leaks.

Until the facts are known I would use a developer you know will work. EcoPro makes a XTOL copycat it should work fine.

Tom Kershaw · Nov 23, 2019

mshchem said:
I've used XTOL for 20 plus years. There's no such thing as the mysterious instant developer death. Two things effect XTOL in particular, oxygen and impurities (iron etc.) in water.

I've seen this myth repeated recently on other forums. The only developer I've had 'sudden death' problems with is Pyrocat-HD, but that is generally very dilute, and I'm processing in a Jobo so adds extra oxygen anyway.

mshchem · Nov 23, 2019

I made up my new XTOL today worked perfectly. Must be a random packaging problem. Mine is from the suspect batch. I posted pictures on the other XTOL panic thread. The new A side is really nice no dust, it doesn't float and mixed easy. I'm sold once the all clear is given.

radiant · Nov 24, 2019

I'm going to continue using XTOL as before. This is probably just a hickup inside one batch.

And even better if they have reduced the dust in new manufacturing. Altough everyone who has mixed XTOL knows what it tastes like I get the taste even if I use particle mask..

peter k. · Nov 24, 2019

mshchem said:
I made up my new XTOL today worked perfectly.

That's great news, yesterday we tried it anyway as it was already mixed, and it seemed alright, but have never used it before so had nothing to compare to. Will continue our testing to get the right development for our situation.
BTW the link to see the developed compared negs is
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/alert-about-a-possible-problem-batch-of-xtol.171299/page-2
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Perplexed: Xtol clip test?

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