This is my impression as well - a remarkably good combo.
Some folks have found Xtol to deliver "flat" results, and I have to wonder if this is a matter of taste: some prefer hard, contrasty negs while others prefer softer, more restrained negatives. Xtol 0 in my experience - has the ability to produce a very "full" negative that preserves a very broad range of values, and part of that result is the fact that - again, in MY experience - Xtol restrains highlight information development, preventing hot highlight details from soaring off into excessive densities. The property that makes it a useful developer for some, is a negative trait for others, it would seem. Pick what works for you, of course.
and it softens your hands as you do the dishes)
TMY2 in replenished X-Tol:
View attachment 220215
Really nice, well defined, crisp but subtle grain.
Very different than the type of grain that I used to get from Microdol-X and Plus-X.
Thread Revival Warning!
I've gone through some disruptions lately, including a major move. One of the consequences being that I just developed a test roll of film - the first roll I have developed in 11 months!
After doing a clip test, I shot and developed a roll of 35mm Plus-X in the X-Tol I have stored unused (except for scheduled replenishment for the first couple of months) for those 11 months, and fixed it in the partly used working strength Kodak Rapid Fixer (without hardener) that I have stored unused for the same time.
Success - the X-Tol appears to have survived unharmed!
I'm hoping that the old replenisher of same vintage will also continue to do its job.
I've scanned and uploaded two of the frames:
View media item 63484Socially Distanced Ducks
- MattKing
- 2
I post this to celebrate finally getting my "Ducks in a Row".
After a whole bunch of...
My only significant question since mixing up my (2002 expired) pack of Xtol a few weeks ago is: why did I wait so long? Works great with Fomapan 100 and 400, and with ORWO DN21. Got a Pro-pack of Tri-X 120 on hand, all expectation it'll be perfect there, too. I replenish; I like the look of the stock solution and the low cost of running it in replenishment (as low as 14 cents a roll when you get into your second 5L -- assuming the price hasn't gone up). I can develop film for less with mix my own, but it'll take some testing to see if I can develop as well for less.
My only significant question since mixing up my (2002 expired) pack of Xtol a few weeks ago is: why did I wait so long? Works great with Fomapan 100 and 400, and with ORWO DN21. Got a Pro-pack of Tri-X 120 on hand, all expectation it'll be perfect there, too. I replenish; I like the look of the stock solution and the low cost of running it in replenishment (as low as 14 cents a roll when you get into your second 5L -- assuming the price hasn't gone up). I can develop film for less with mix my own, but it'll take some testing to see if I can develop as well for less.
I processed my (first and so far only) roll for 7:00 at 20C, standard agitation (continuous first minute, then five inversions every minute). My contrast looks a little "funny", but I'm not sure if that's a scanning problem -- haven't gotten to print the negatives yet.
I arrived at the time by looking at the D-96 time ORWO recommends, and the HC-110 B time Lomography recommends (for Babylon 13, same film), applying a correction to the D-96 time based on other films that had both D-96 and Xtol stock in the Massive Dev Chart and checking against the HC-110 B time (which should be the same as D-76 stock, which is generally very close to Xtol stock).
In other words, I made the best educated guess I could. Should be close enough for a first hack, since you've got a bulk roll too...
I shoot Tmax 100 and Tmax 400. I know of two lab. One uses Xtol. The other uses Clayton F76+ developer similar to D76 Kodak. Where would you send your film if you too and why?
Thread Revival Warning!
I've gone through some disruptions lately, including a major move. One of the consequences being that I just developed a test roll of film - the first roll I have developed in 11 months!
After doing a clip test, I shot and developed a roll of 35mm Plus-X in the X-Tol I have stored unused (except for scheduled replenishment for the first couple of months) for those 11 months, and fixed it in the partly used working strength Kodak Rapid Fixer (without hardener) that I have stored unused for the same time.
Success - the X-Tol appears to have survived unharmed!
I'm hoping that the old replenisher of same vintage will also continue to do its job.
I've scanned and uploaded two of the frames:
EDIT: I Replaced the galery download but forgot until now that I needed to re-linkSocially Distanced Ducks
- MattKing
- 2
I post this to celebrate finally getting my "Ducks in a Row".
After a whole bunch of...:Parked Inside - Sept/Oct 2020 MSA - "Interior"
- MattKing
- 7
The parking garage in the interior of our complex
Fair enough. But why would you want it processed in Xtol rather than D76?If I were me, I'd send it to me.
My standard developer is replenished XTOL, though, you can request D-76, HC-110, and Rodinal.
Fair enough. But why would you want it processed in Xtol rather than D76?
I keep my working solutions in rectangular 2 litre juice pitchers that happen to use fairly heavy PET, have straight sides and an almost flat top, and have a wide round mouth with a good threaded cap which has at one edge a small pop on mini-lid which is great for inserting a thermometer or pouring out a small quantity of fluid.So, just out of curiosity, how did you store the solutions? Also, were they mixed up with tap water or something else?
I use a couple of different Jobo machines. I do almost everything stock XTOL 1 shot.Hey, can I just say that for some films full-strength Xtol beats replenished?Fomapan 400 and Delta 3200 and (debatable) HP5+ look a bit better in full-strength Xtol. Basically, light-hungry flatter films. @Donald Qualls I know you like Arista Ultra, try FS Xtol for ISO 400 at EI320. The replenished developer can barely do EI250 with this film, you just can't build density.
Love Arista film. Gets your replenished developer nice and green! It’s a matter of taste. I like the look of replenish developer better. More economical too! But you could dump money down the sink if you want to.Hey, can I just say that for some films full-strength Xtol beats replenished?
.....or is it just some magic balance of factors that makes it so good?
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