sharing some info on XTOL Developer

[raytoei]

The XTOL developer is my current favorite developer.
It comes in Part-A/Part-B powder packets to be mixed
into a 5 litre solution, it is then commonly mixed at 1+1
dilution during development.

From the diagram above, XTOL gives a good balance
of "Shadow Details" + "Fine Grain" + "Sharpness".
Actually, XTOL's claim to fame is that it is a compensating
developer.

Let me explain, usually, a film has a base ISO which
maximises the shadow details, but this base ISO sometimes isn't
the same ISO as that printed on the box. For example, Fomapan 400
true ISO is around 200-250, while Tri-x is sometimes rated at 320
for optimal ISO. It doesn't mean that the film can't be rated higher
or lower, it is just that at a different iso (say pushed to iso 800) the
images aren't retaining the necessary shadow details.

So here's where XTOL comes in. As a compensating developer, you
can shoot your Tri-x at iso 800 and it will still preserve the shadow
details like tri-x at iso 400. In other words, it is a speed gaining
developer.

Usually, XTOL preserves the speed up to a stop, however, when shooting
at 2 stops from the base ISO, the images are still quite rich compared
to other developers like HC-110 or Rodinal which isn't a compensating
developer.

here's a picture taken with the Leica M3 + 50 Lux,
Neopan 400 pushed to 1600 and developed in XTOL 1+1
for 7mins and 30seconds at 30C.

raytoei

 

[raytoei]

Oh and one more thing to share,

i reuse my XTOL working solution.
I bought a 2 litre collapsible container
from Ruby, and stored my working solution
already diluted 1+1. I reused it within
the same day, i tested the solution, and
found that I could still use the same time
as before. i reused it once and pour it after
use.

1 pack of XTOL in 1+1 dilution + reuse once = 66 rolls of 35mm film.

Downside of XTOL
=============
XTOL has several inconveniences:

1. It comes in powder form to make a concentrate of 5 litre.
Not everyone has a five litre container but can be easily
gotten from the petrol station, or from Ruby.

2. It dies from sudden death after a few months. Unlike rodinal or hc110,
XTOL when mixed and stored in a 5 litre solution will die suddenly, most
of the comments I have read puts it at 6 months. Not a big deal, just
remember to make a new batch every 3 - 4 months ?


XTOL can be gotten from BHPHoto, Freestyle or online stores selling Kodak Developers.

raytoei

 

[anerjee]

I've used XTOL over one year old, and it worked quite well. A bit more grain than when fresh, but still quite acceptable.

Fomadon Excel w27 is another ascorbic acid based developer like XTOL. It is supposed to be an XTOL clone. I've used it, and the results are very similar to XTOL. It is more expensive per litre, but you do get 1lt packets.

Also, I've recently discovered DD-X. Yes, it is more expensive than XTOL or HC-110, but it gives awesome results with almost all film, with fine grain and good speed. It is better than XTOL for pushing in my opinion.

XTOL + Tri-x @ 800

 

[kgston]

I second DD-X too.. it being liquid is really convenient compared to mixing powder. Just that it is one of the most expensive developers.

 

[Riotbmx]

Thanks for sharing! I heard Legacy pro has a similar formula?