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

[Unbuiltbread]

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]

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]

I’m wary of X-TOL since I heard it can die quite suddenly

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

 

[retina_restoration]

The best developer for long shelf life is one made from scratch from the component chemicals. Fresh whenever you need it and the chemistry lasts for years (decades?).