X-TOL, Microphen, or Acufine for long shelf life pushing developers?

Unbuiltbread

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2025
Messages
7
Location
USA
Format
35mm
I always end up pushing my film so I’m looking for a developer made for pushing, with a longer shelf life since I cut back a lot on b&w film lately. I’ve always used D76 and had some pretty good results with some pretty extreme pushes (K400 @ 25600), but wondered how it would look with a developer more suited for pushing. Right now I am using Agfa Aviotphot 200 (Rollei 400s) but use a ton of the 400 speed Ilford films. I usually have a 1-3 stop push when shooting.

X-TOL, Microphen, and Acufine are all the developers that are good from pushing in my experience, so which is the best for shelf life? I’m wary of X-TOL since I heard it can die quite suddenly
 

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,781
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
Well, I'm just about the opposite of you and almost never push my film. That said, Acufine was always noted for a speed increasing developer. I never tried it, but I did try and still use some discontinued Ethol UFG and that's a near twin. UFG will give you a good 1/2 stop with just a normal development, but even more if you push. So I'd say Acufine would be worth a try, but Microphone is right there too. All this depends on the film and I know nothing on pushing either of the films you mention. If it were the old Tri-X I'd say break down and buy some Diafine, but you're not talking that film.
 

otto.f

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2017
Messages
354
Location
Netherlands
Format
Multi Format
Unbuiltbread said:
I’m wary of X-TOL since I heard it can die quite suddenly
Click to expand...

That’s true. 6 months of shelf life after making the liquid at best, but what’s more is that it goes down suddenly, an X-tol solution which works half or so-so hardly exists. In my memory Acufine has the longest shelf life
 

npl

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2021
Messages
223
Location
France
Format
35mm
If by pushing you mean both underexposing then overdevelopping :

My understanding is that developers that are good at keeping details in the low zones (good shadows details, full box speed) such as XTOL are natural candidates for pushing so when underexposing the shadows still get a fighting chance.

But if we're talking extreme pushing such as more than 2 stops below the actual box speed (note : Aviphot 200 is not ISO 200 for pictorial use but lower) I'm not sure it would matter much because the shadows will be crushed no matter what. At this point anything works and I would recommend HC110 for it's very good shelf life.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,887
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format

I recently mixed up the last gallon of my Acufine stock, and have used Microphen in the past, no experience pushing with Xtol , used D76 a lot in the 70s and 80s. Kodak still recommends D76 over Xtol for pushing. I think all three developers you are interested in have a life of about 6 months in stock solution. If you are willing to keep looking at Ebay you can find old stock Acufine in cans in the quart size. I think Mircrophen is only available in 1 liter size, while Xtol is only sold in 5 liter size. Foma does sell a liter size of their version of Xtol but it is expensive. If you are pushing in the 1 stop range for for cost, mix your own D76 as needed. For 2 to 3 stop push, old stock Acufine in quart sizes. It might be hard to find.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,922
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
By two packs of XTol. Mix one up into stock/working solution and divide it into a few well sealed smaller bottles.
Use that at first for six months - I'd suggest 1 + 1 dilution - then start doing clip tests before developing each film.
If/when you start to see a sign of change in activity, discard any unused XTol stock, mix up the next batch, and order another package.
Or do what I do - use XTol in a replenishment regime.
 

WhereSs

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2022
Messages
17
Location
Seattle, WA
Format
Hybrid
For what it’s worth, Bergger Berspeed is a Microphen clone and it can be found in 5L bags. (The times are identical with Microphen (1+1) and I have treated it as Microphen stock solution with no issues.) Probably not that much easier to find or cheaper, but it’s an option that exists
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…