Recommended XTOL times for use with condenser enlarger?

All,

I use a condenser enlarger and have been shooting mostly 135 Tri-X (400TX). My nominal processing procedure is to over-expose negatives by 1/3 stop and under-develop 15% with D-76. This gives good balanced contrast and most frames grade out between 2 and 4 in the print phase.

What I'd Like to Try:
I've traditionally used D-76 as the developer and, for any enlargement less than 8x10, grain is inconsequential to my work. I would like to try XTOL and see if I get a better grain/sharpness balance for better 8x10s and larger performance.

Contrast Adjustment:
Neither of Kodak's current Tri-X nor XTOL data sheet give contrast adjustment factors. For D-76 and Tri-X, I reduced the recommended standard times by 15% and obtained the desired results.

Questions:
1) Can I expect similar performance if I reduce times 15% on XTOL?
2) Should I modify my exposure adjustment based on XTOL development?
3) D-76 and XTOL use different developing agents - are there any factors besides exposure and development time I should consider based on developer differences?
4) Is there a resource (book or online data) that provides some starting points?

I understand results vary with equipment used, technique, and photographer preferences. Any help in establishing a starting point would be appreciated. Thank you.

X-Tol will give you a slight bit of more speed, so you may find that you prefer using the ISO speed.
The 15% reduction in development is a good starting point.
Are you planning to use X-Tol one shot or replenished?
If one shot, at stock dilution or 1+1?
I'm a proponent of using it replenished.

Start with box speed, ISO 400 with XTOL. If you want to have even better tonality and save money consider using replenished XTOL.

Matt,

I shoot mostly at rated ISO. I do most of my work outdoors in natural light so I don't need more speed or push options at this time.

You stated: "X-Tol will give you a slight bit of more speed, so you may find that you prefer using the ISO speed". I take that to mean not using a slight over-exposure compensation.

I'm leaning towards one-shot at normal dilution (not 1+1). I don't burn through my D-76 very fast and that only gets me about 4 rolls/liter (I do not replenish D-76). I fear the 5-liter batch of XTOL will likely go bad before I use it all. At normal dilution and un-replenished, I should be able to get 1-5 rolls/liter. If I replenish, the data sheets say I can stretch that to about 15 rolls/liter. I'm shooting about 1-2 rolls a month maybe about 20 rolls/year, I can't imagine hitting the 60+ rolls/5-liters using replenishment before it fails due to age. If I go un-replenished, I should be able to get about 20 rolls out of a package and my shooting schedule/developer life expectancy align fairly well.

However, there is a brief section in the data sheet that indicates how to "season" the developer if using the one-shot method but it seems to apply to commercial processing systems vice a small tank option. I'm unclear on what advantage/disadvantage that might have. In short, could you elaborate on why replenishment might be better than un-replenished?

Thank you,

Dan

C-130 Nav said:

Matt,

I shoot mostly at rated ISO. I do most of my work outdoors in natural light so I don't need more speed or push options at this time.

You stated: "X-Tol will give you a slight bit of more speed, so you may find that you prefer using the ISO speed". I take that to mean not using a slight over-exposure compensation.

I'm leaning towards one-shot at normal dilution (not 1+1). I don't burn through my D-76 very fast and that only gets me about 4 rolls/liter (I do not replenish D-76). I fear the 5-liter batch of XTOL will likely go bad before I use it all. At normal dilution and un-replenished, I should be able to get 1-5 rolls/liter. If I replenish, the data sheets say I can stretch that to about 15 rolls/liter. I'm shooting about 1-2 rolls a month maybe about 20 rolls/year, I can't imagine hitting the 60+ rolls/5-liters using replenishment before it fails due to age. If I go un-replenished, I should be able to get about 20 rolls out of a package and my shooting schedule/developer life expectancy align fairly well.

However, there is a brief section in the data sheet that indicates how to "season" the developer if using the one-shot method but it seems to apply to commercial processing systems vice a small tank option. I'm unclear on what advantage/disadvantage that might have. In short, could you elaborate on why replenishment might be better than un-replenished?

Thank you,

Dan

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If XTOL is sealed in bottles without air, it can last for years. The advantages of replenished XTOL is smoother tonal transitions on changing surfaces, sharper images and even finer grain. In short it enhances its best features.

If most of your work is outside, could you use T-Max 100 instead? It will provide very fine grain for the large enlargements you need.

Anyway, the HD curve for T-Max 400 has a sharp toe followed by a long straight line. Therefore, if you're going to underdevelop to reduce contrast, I suggest boosting exposure by 1/3 stop to ensure that no shadow detail gets lost under the toe. In other words, it's safe to do what you're doing now with Tri-X and D76.
Mark Overton

Xtol 1:1 is fantastic and predictable if stored properly. I switched from D76 1:1 to XTOL 1:1 and the two developers are very similar, with a small shadow and sharpness gain going to XTOL. For me the difference was maybe 1/3 stop. Not enough for me to change my metering, but it's nice to have that little extra bit of shadow separation. I switched because I developed contact dermatitis from photo chemicals and was looking for the safest eco friendly darkroom products.

I no longer use a condenser enlarger, but I had better luck around -20% or 25% development to print a bright outdoor scene at grade 2. I almost exclusively shoot in bright sun, so my expectations might be different from where you are. I currently use a diffusion enlarger and I am about -10% from Kodak's suggested times at 7:45 @ 68ºF. I shoot 400TX at EI 200 in bright contrasty California sun, but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot/develop at EI 400 or 640 on a flat cloudy day.

If you're not shooting a lot XTOL can be a burden to store 5L but it's manageable. I'd suggest getting 4x 32oz Amber Boston Rounds and 4x 8oz Amber Boston Rounds. Mix it up thoroughly (stir for an extra 5 mins after it seems mixed) and fill every bottle. Use the 8oz bottles first, then when you open the 1L bottle you will decant them into the smaller 8oz bottles and repeat the process. The trick with XTOL is having good bottles and with great lids. Oxygen and XTOL don't mix well if you want the XTOL to last.

Sirius Glass said:

If XTOL is sealed in bottles without air, it can last for years. The advantages of replenished XTOL is smoother tonal transitions on changing surfaces, sharper images and even finer grain. In short it enhances its best features.

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I highly recommend these 1.05 liter bags for the any developer: StopLossBagTM www.StopLossBags.com

Yes I was suggesting that the speed boost may replace the 1/3 stop extra exposure.
Seasoning takes about 5 rolls of film. Start with the recommended time for one shot stock, note the recommended time for replenished and divide the difference by five to calculate the adjustments for each of the first five rolls. Most likely you will be fine tuning your development times anyways after that.
For storage, I'm transitioning to using the bags that are used to store liquor and wine.
There appears to be a whole new industry around sneaking liquor on to cruise ships. It is great reading the product reviews - particularly if you intend to hide your X-Tol in your bra or down your pant leg.
Sirius describes many of the advantages of using X-Tol replenished. I would add three more:
1) replenished developer works great at whatever your (reasonably normal) ambient temperature is - just adjust developing time; and
2) X-Tol is sufficiently inexpensive to make it easy to have back stock, and to make the decision to discard half a bag's worth if you haven't used it up in six months. With care, your replenisher does keep longer than that, and with regular replenishment the working stock can last indefinitely; and
3) if you develop sheet film or anything else that makes use of bigger tanks, a replenishment regime means you don't have to waste developer just because your tank needs a bunch of developer to cover the film.
.

Matt, All,

Thank you for the replies and input. I'll give replenished XTOL a go. I already use the "brown glass bottle method" mentioned by xtol121 and I can attest that it allows for far longer storage of chemicals that manufacturer recommendations. I'm still using a batch of Dektol from 2019. I'll use the same treatment for the XTOL stock and see where it goes.

Thanks.

One caution.
Unlike some chemicals, X-Tol doesn't give any reliable visible indications when it dies. So it is prudent to incorporate a regular clip test into your regime once your replenisher passes a certain age - Kodak would recommend six months.

MattKing said:

One caution.
Unlike some chemicals, X-Tol doesn't give any reliable visible indications when it dies. So it is prudent to incorporate a regular clip test into your regime once your replenisher passes a certain age - Kodak would recommend six months.

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+1,000

Again - thank you. I have heard XTOL has no fall-off and just dies. I'll be sure to check prior to developing a roll.