Tri-X 400 in stock Xtol dev. time advice please

[sperera]

Hi there...I have 3 (very important i don't mess up cos its an important job) rolls of Tri-X 400 to develop in Xtol stock solution.
I rated the film at 400 asa and will process in a Paterson multi-reel 5 tank which fits the 3 rolls in it.
According to Kodak pdf i should develop for 7 mins at 20 degrees......any comments????? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

 

[Anon Ymous]

If you haven't used that combination before to have some personal experience, then nobody else's suggestion can be taken seriously. There are many factors that can make a difference, including taste. On the other hand, the manufacturer's suggested times will give you at least acceptable results. So, go on, develop for 7' at 20C.

 

[MikeSeb]

If you can, put aside the critical rolls and shoot another roll or two in similar lighting conditions so that you can hone your times and check for any problems. Critical rolls are not the material with which to try a new developer.

Also, consider splitting the film into separate batches so that some catastrophe doesn't claim all three at once.

 

[tkamiya]

There is a lot more to it than just timing in minutes and seconds. How much and how vigorously you agitate and how well you maintain the developer temperature has quite a bit of impact.

If your films are that important, the best thing to do is to shoot some junk image and test your timing.

Not with Tri X but I have some personal experience where using the same timing as the Kodak chart but badly managing agitation and temperature has resulted in very over developed negatives. Properly maintaining all that; however, gave me very satisfying and predictable results.

 

[Tim Gray]

What they said.

However, if its the first time you've ever done it, follow the Kodak directions to a tee. No better starting place than that. They give very specific directions about agitation style, etc.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Kodak's instructions are the best place to start. Try a higher dilution (1:1) to increase film speed, sharpness, and lower highlight contrast. Develop the film one reel at a time.

Grain should not be an issue. As one poster mentioned, the negative contrast curve is affected by time/temp/agitation/dilution. The type of enlarger light source makes a big difference.

 

[sperera]

thanks everyone.....did the 3 rolls at 7 mins on 20 degrees and they've come out fine thankfully.....they have the look i expected (I printed out 3 contact sheets with the enlarger) given the metering i was doing for the shots.....
I loaded up with Tri-X 400 given that the day was cloudy, wet and gloomy and then, film packed for the day and loaded in the magazine, the sun comes out and i now have loads of stops difference between shadow and sun.....