Xtol and dilutions

mitch brown · Dec 30, 2008

hi
i whave been useing xtol as my developer for the following films. hp5+ fp4+ delta 100 and tmax 100 1:1 . what are the advantages and disadvantages of useing xtol 1:2 or 1:3.
thanks
mitch

jim appleyard · Dec 30, 2008

When you dilute a dev, the accutance (sharpness) of the image increases and so does the grain. A diluted dev also becomes more of a compensating dev; the highlights of the photo are easier to print.

When using undiluted devs, 1+0 or stock as it's called, the grain is smoother, but the sharpness goes away.

1+1 is a good compromise.

Venchka · Dec 30, 2008

All I know is that I love HP5+, 120 & 4x5, Xtol 1:3 and continuous agitation in a Jobo drum. 1:3 dilution keeps my time around 10 minutes. I don't care for short development times.

Bruce Watson · Dec 31, 2008

What Jim and Venchka said.

I can add that the longer N times you get with 1:3 are helpful when you start wanting to do some N- processing.

For the record I process 5x4 400Tmax using a Jobo 3010 drum and XTOL 1:3 and very much like the results.

hal9000 · Dec 31, 2008

As Bruce said, processing times are convenient with XTOL 1:3 when controlling contrast (see (there was a url link here which no longer exists) for my graph on FP4+ with XTOL 1:3).
Regards, Hal

Robert Budding · Dec 31, 2008

I use XTOL 1:2 and I'm very happy with the grain and sharpness. My normal evelopment time for HP 5+ EI 400 is 12.5 min @ 68 deg F with two inversions each minute.

Besk · Dec 31, 2008

Bruce, what temperature?

Bruce Watson said:
For the record I process 5x4 400Tmax using a Jobo 3010 drum and XTOL 1:3 and very much like the results.

Klopstock · Jan 1, 2009

May I come in with a question about Tri-X? What is a good time for 1:2 or 1:3? In the massive devchart I only found the time for the old version of Tri-X.

fschifano · Jan 1, 2009

You can use the times for the old version of Tri-X with the current version. You might need to make some small adjustments if you are really, really picky, though these won't be more than 10% of the total time in either direction. Such small changes are easily swamped by variations in the lighting conditions present when you shot the film. Just go with the data you have, and you'll have printable negatives. Tri-X is good that way. It tolerates less than precise handling and still delivers the goods.

Klopstock · Jan 1, 2009

Okay, will try that, thanks.

Nicholas Lindan · Jan 1, 2009

I use film developer 1-shot as I usually need very repeatable results. In the interests of conservation (and being cheap, er having Scots blood) I normally dilute it so that the developer is expired at the end of developing 1 roll/250ml. Most developers used full strength will do 2-3 rolls in 250ml.

The only difference I have noted is that the grain is 'crisper' with diluted developer, giving a psychological impression that the picture is sharper. I haven't noted any change in true resolution when contacting a resolution-target reticule.

All that said, I use Xtol 1:3.

Bruce Watson · Jan 3, 2009

Bob Eskridge said:
Bruce, what temperature?

20C. I set the rotational speed very low also, about 30 RPM. This gives me an N time of about 9.5 minutes.

Jayd · Feb 14, 2009

Is Xtol a one shot developer ? My assumption is yes and definately if diluted but I don't know and Kodaks site seems not very helpful to me.

Jay

dpurdy · Feb 14, 2009

Jayd said:
Is Xtol a one shot developer ? My assumption is yes and definately if diluted but I don't know and Kodaks site seems not very helpful to me.

Jay

It doesn't have to be. I mix it in a 10 liter tank and use it for up to 3 months. I have done it stock and 1-1 and 1-2. I find the developer is a bit better after getting seasoned a few rolls. I follow a schedule of extending the developing times as the developer gets older and it works really well that way.

Venchka · Feb 14, 2009

Jayd said:
Is Xtol a one shot developer ? My assumption is yes and definately if diluted but I don't know and Kodaks site seems not very helpful to me.

Jay

Somewhere on the Kodak web pages is a long technical bulletin explaining everything there is to know about Xtol including replenishment.

A little known secret: GOOGLE Unofficial Xtol Pages
When you find the unofficial Xtol pages, scroll down and look for a link to the German Xtol Technical Bulletin. Find it. Save it to your hard disk. Inside you will find all of the 1:2 and 1:3 times that Kodak stopped publishing in English.

The German link:

http://wwwfr.kodak.com/AT/plugins/acrobat/de/professional/xtolEntwickler.pdf

Enjoy!

Xtol and dilutions

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