Yet another XTOL clone

Hello

After various experimenting with PC developers I want to share following recipe

RD-105
Sodium Sulfite 50g
Ascorbic Acid 8g
Phenidone 0.15g
Borax 15g
Sodium Citrate 10g
Potassium Bromide 0.5g
Water 1l
pH=8.6

The developer has a strong buffer on the basis of Borax and Sodium Citrate. Produce negatives with fine grain, normal contrast and very good sharpness. Starting dev.time 6-7min at 20C


Kodak Double-X @200 in RD-105 6min

I thought Kodak stopped producing Double-X decades ago. They replaced it with Tri-X. Where did you find Double-X?
Also, have you tried reducing the pH some? 8.6 is high for a PC developer.
What does Sodium Citrate do differently to image-quality compared to other alkalies such as Borax or metaborate? It's seldom used in developers, so I'm curious.
As an experiment, I suggest reducing Phenidone to 0.1 g (instead of 0.15), because that will make ratios closer to what I've found gives finest grain.
Anyway, thanks for sharing this. It's an interesting PC developer.

Mark Overton

Are these film scans or print scans? What scanner did you use?

Clovis Blevins said:

Are these film scans or print scans? What scanner did you use?

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This is the film scan from my Epson Photo 4180

albada said:

I thought Kodak stopped producing Double-X decades ago. They replaced it with Tri-X. Where did you find Double-X?

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where you find this info ?? fresh Double-X still available for purchase

albada said:

Also, have you tried reducing the pH some? 8.6 is high for a PC developer.

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why high?

albada said:

What does Sodium Citrate do differently to image-quality compared to other alkalies such as Borax or metaborate? It's seldom used in developers, so I'm curious.

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1% solution of sodium citrate have pH=8.5 and very good buffer. Sodium Citrate with Borax used in Agfa Final and Foton #10 developers.

albada said:

As an experiment, I suggest reducing Phenidone to 0.1 g (instead of 0.15), because that will make ratios closer to what I've found gives finest grain.

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thank you for suggestion. maybe I will try this

Here is one source for Double X film in 35mm canisters. Dead Link Removed

Double X Negative 5222 is in fact the only B&W motion picture negative film in the Kodak Motion Picture Catalog. Must be ordered directly from the Kodak Motion Picture folks, in 400ft rolls.
http://motion.kodak.com/motion/Products/Production/Black_And_White_Films/5222.htm

if you are in the states or Canada the details are
EASTMAN DOUBLE-X Negative Film 5222 / DXN718 / 35 mm x 400 ft roll / On Core / BH-1866
1737279 $177.60 ( a thousand feet are $444 if you can deal with that big a roll)

to order you have to call 1-800-621-FILM (3456)

albada said:

I thought Kodak stopped producing Double-X decades ago.

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An unfortunate reuse of the name causes some confusion. Kodak still makes the cine film Eastmen 5222 also called Double-X. They did the same thing with the cine film Eastman 5231 called Plus-X.

Also, have you tried reducing the pH some? 8.6 is high for a PC developer.

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Not necessarily I refer to Ryuji's work.

cmacd123 said:

Double X Negative 5222 is in fact the only B&W motion picture negative film in the Kodak Motion Picture Catalog. Must be ordered directly from the Kodak Motion Picture folks, in 400ft rolls.

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Unless one of the companies that sell short ends has some in stock. It is much cheaper than from Kodak.