Water line HP5 in Xtol

[alex2293]

Hey guys,

yesterday I developped a few HP5 plus 35mm rolls using Xtol 1:1. I was using stock Xtol and diluting it 1:1. I think I made the mistake of adding the water to the Paterson tank and then adding the Xtol. I usually premix it in another bottle.

Do you think this caused the lines on the negatives?

Any tips would be appreciated,
Thank you,
Alex.

 

[bvy]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see your attachments.

 

[alex2293]

Yeah, sorry about that, I'm still trying to figure it out.

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes the images aren't there, however you would run a high risk of uneven development and get marked edge lines were development was patchy if you added the water before the developer in the tank.

Ian

 

[alex2293]

Here you go, I subscribed and reduce the size of the image.

 

[bvy]

So am I to understand you were preparing your one part water with one part stock solution in the tank with film already loaded? If so, and the water line sat roughly where the line on your negative appears, then I would say, yes! Bad idea. Prepare your working solution in a separate mixing vessel before pouring it into the tank.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It is more economical and the results are better if you used replenished XTOL rather than screw around with 1:1. Even Kodak has downplayed the use of diluted developers.

 

[Ian Grant]

That's what I expected, it's the effects of less development below the line because it wasn't mixed well.

I've always been an advocate of replenishment where possible and Xtol is unique because it is replenished with fresh stock. I used to split a 5 litre pack into 2.5 litres working solution and the rest as the replenisher, very easy, consistent, economic and you also get better quality once the developer is seasoned (through use).

Ian

 

[alex2293]

Ok so if I wanted to start replnishment, how could I do that? Right now I have 5 liters of stock Xtol in 5 1 liter bottle. I have used maybe half of 1 bottle using it 1:1 and discarding it. Is there more or less risk of having an sudden Xtol failure?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[bvy]

Replenishing isn't the answer to your problems. Mixing one part stock with one part water is pretty easy stuff. You made a fatal but forgivable error. Replenishing also calls for adding x parts of this with y parts of that, and you could have easily made the same mistake with a replenished workflow.

Replenished, diluted and stock will all work. But I would suggest establishing some sound practices around chemical preparation before jumping aboard the next "my favorite way to consume XTOL" bandwagon that comes along. Fix one problem before attacking a new one.

(Having said that, read (there was a url link here which no longer exists) if you want to know more about replenishing.)

 

[ic-racer]

You added water with film in the tank? Why? We should have a sticky or some info on processing film on this site. If the emulsion gets wet before being contacted by developer the development process will be altered.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ok so if I wanted to start replnishment, how could I do that? Right now I have 5 liters of stock Xtol in 5 1 liter bottle. I have used maybe half of 1 bottle using it 1:1 and discarding it. Is there more or less risk of having an sudden Xtol failure?

Thanks,
Alex

Take one of the 1 liter bottles of stock XTOL and mark it as the replenished XTOL. Each time you develop film with it, add 70ml stock XTOL per roll to the replenished XTOL and discard the excess. That is it. No diluting with water or any other thing to do but close all the bottles tightly.

 

[AgX]

That's what I expected, it's the effects of less development below the line because it wasn't mixed well.

I see a line (likely a edge effec) but for the rest the same densities above and below that line.

EDIT: I realized that my laptop monitor is not able to reproduce such subtle shades. I had to set it at most awkward angles to realize a slight difference.

 

[alex2293]

You added water with film in the tank? Why? We should have a sticky or some info on processing film on this site. If the emulsion gets wet before being contacted by developer the development process will be altered.

You know if this thread does not interest you or your not interested in helping rather than just pointing out the mistake, you can skip the thread. As someone else said, the development is pretty much the same under and over the line. There is some edge effect, but that's about it.

Yes, I added water with the film in the tank, I guess I just forgot that I was using 150mL Xtol with 150mL water and this would make a line half way up the negative. I've done almost all my previous development using rodinal and I did it this way, but because I was using using something like 290mL of water and then adding 6mL of Rodinal a few seconds later, it would make no difference (to me) because the level would be over the top of the film and it would be like a 10second presoak.

Thank you everyone,
Alex.