For the last 7 years XTOL has been my go to developer for pretty much everything and I've always used it as a one-shot, 1:1. I have been considering trying to go the route of using it as stock and replenishing, but I have a few questions.
1. I have heard people talk fondly of 'seasoned' XTOL, but I've never got a great answer as far as why that is better than using it diluted 1:1. So, what's the big plus of using stock XTOL and replenishing?
2. When do you start replenishing? Do you start after the very first roll or do you allow it to 'season' before beginning to replenish?
3. As far as the replenisher goes, does one just use stock XTOL? From my understanding you just make up a batch and spilt it, use one as the working solution and the other as the replenisher.
4. As far as storing the working solution, do you need to store it a container that has room for the replenisher you will add down the road? I've never understood this part of replenishment, if I'm adding 70ml for every roll I process wouldn't I basically be overflowing my container the first time I replenished if I'm storing the working solution in a container with little to no head room?
5. What do you do when you run out of replenisher? Is that when the solution gets dumped? If I say make a 5L batch and split it 50/50 for working solution and replenisher(assuming that is the correct thing to do, see question 3) once that that 2.5L replenisher is used up do I start over or do I just get more XTOL and keep replenishing? If that is the case, is there a point where the working solution needs to be dumped?
Thanks in advance and if you have any other tips or pointers for using XTOL this let me know!
Would I be correct to assume that all those here who keep Xtol for extended periods are mixing it in water that is purified in some way (such as distillation or deionized)? I'm interested as I'm about to do 4x5 in a Jobo 2500 series tank with inversion not rotation so re-use is appealing.
Where I live the water out of the tap is fine for every developer that I've used, but Xtol might be more susceptible to impurities I'm led to believe.
First, if I understand you right, the "STOCK/WORKING" solution is what you develop your film in. The "REPLENISHER" solution is what you add to your stock to keep it alive. The "STOCK/WORKING" solution should never be tampered with or diluted. Now the "REPLENISHER" is nothing more then good old Xtol straight, just the way you mix it right out of the yellow bag. So, if you wanted to try a roll of film at say 1+3 dilution you'd take 1oz. of "REPLENISHER" and add 3 oz. of water since the "REPLENISHER" is nothing more than straight Xtol. Keep your hands off your "STOCK/WORKING" jug and only use it the way it was meant to be used by adding 70 to 80ml. of "REPLENISHER" after each roll. It sounds more complicated than it really is. Trust me, if I can do it anybody can.Is stock replenished solution equal in potency to fresh solution? Say I want to start using my stock in diluted one time solutions can I get away with this?
Hard water probably would be okay, but if you get rust stains in your tub or sink..............look out. Iron content that high won't be good.I have very hard water in Los Angeles but I have always used tap water without any problems with XTOL or any other developer due to the water.
First, if I understand you right, the "STOCK/WORKING" solution is what you develop your film in. The "REPLENISHER" solution is what you add to your stock to keep it alive. The "STOCK/WORKING" solution should never be tampered with or diluted. Now the "REPLENISHER" is nothing more then good old Xtol straight, just the way you mix it right out of the yellow bag. So, if you wanted to try a roll of film at say 1+3 dilution you'd take 1oz. of "REPLENISHER" and add 3 oz. of water since the "REPLENISHER" is nothing more than straight Xtol. Keep your hands off your "STOCK/WORKING" jug and only use it the way it was meant to be used by adding 70 to 80ml. of "REPLENISHER" after each roll. It sounds more complicated than it really is. Trust me, if I can do it anybody can.
True, but when I'm talking a replenish developer I used the term Stock/Working, but I should have used the term "WORKING STOCK". I mainly did that so weebz would understand the difference, which it sounds like he does.Working solution is the replenished or about to be replenished XTOL. Stock solution had never been used as developer and is used to add to the working solution at 70ml per roll.
What replenished developer is all about is well explained by Ilford, this aimed at machine processing where it is more common but the principles remain the same:
Yes, do the math on the square inches. Don't forget the leader.For years I've used Xtol undiluted to my satisfaction. Your praise of replenishment is however tempting me - added sharpness and finer grain, better temperature latitude - this sounds promising.
My question : with 135 film I usually bulkload 10-15 frames ie. less than half a full lenght film, and then develop asap. If replenishing, should I then use say half the prescribed 70-80ml of fresh stock solution to avoid that the replenished one becomes too "concentrated"?
Peter
There is no evidence of added sharpness and finer grain. It's just people seeing what they want to see.
I think Xtol is pretty darn sharp at 1+1 or 1+2. It's not that bad straight, but I'd call it more of a mellow-sharp compared to diluted. I'm not going say Xtol replenished is sharper than say, 1+2, but it's certainly not less sharp. The benefits of replenished for me have more to do with ease of use, tonal range and being able to use a large volume of developer in my Yankee 4X5 tank and not have to pour it down the drain. So, is it sharper? Try it yourself and see. You'll probably like it either way 'cause it's a darn good developer.I'm interested in seeing that evidence, as I'm going to start using x-tol soon and am considering replenishing it for exactly those benefits. Would you mind posting some links to the data?
I'm interested in seeing that evidence, as I'm going to start using x-tol soon and am considering replenishing it for exactly those benefits. Would you mind posting some links to the data?
we all preferred it once a few batches of film had been processed, it's the same with replenished Xtol.
Ian
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?