Hey all,

Pursuant to warm reviews from people all around, I'm trying out xtol for some rolls. I hear they have the defects fixed and everybody's happy now...

I use a small amount of chemistry at any given time - usually I develop one roll at a time 'cause I'm not usually shooting a lot of the same film concurrently. The smallest batch of xtol one can mix is a liter -- OK, no problem. Use 250 mL for processing, and then the other 750 mL... Gets stored in airtight plastic chemistry bottles? (They're specifically for photography, got 'em at B&H).

But how long does it hold once mixed? I've read the page at kodak's website but I've heard that the party line is a load of bull.

1. Used developer: how long can it hold once mixed? (I'm not into replenishing).

2. Unused Developer: ditto.

Thanks,

Idan

-- Idan Gazit (id@panix.com), September 29, 2001

Answers

I store my XTOL in 250ml (topped off and tightly sealed) amber glass bottles. I use it 1:1 so I can't comment on used developers' keeping qualities, but, the unused developer has lasted as long as 5 months stored this way. I haven't had any problems in the last 2 years. The only problem I did have was when I stored my XTOL in one of those accordion type plastic bottles. It barely lasted 2 months.

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), September 29, 2001.

I mixed 5 liters of Xtol in early May. I stored the bulk of it in a large glass bottle. I used some in early August, which allowed some air into the bottle and I didnt (lazy I guess) do anything about. I did make a mental note "must transfer xtol to smaller bottles soon" but of course I ignored it. Tonight I developed a mess of film in it (after testing with a scrap) and it was fine. So I guess it lasts at least 5 months

-- Wayne (wsteffen@skypoint.com), September 29, 2001.

Photo Techniques, July/Aug 2001 issue reviewed this issue. The conclusion is D76 and XTOL are consistent performers with a storage life underestimated by product literature when mixed with distilled water and stored in glass, in the dark, with temperature extremes kept under control. XTOL will last 40 weeks under the test criteria and D-76 24 weeks. Exhaustion was determined to be 2/3 f/stop loss in the highlights. XTOL is thought to provide better sharpness and less grain than D-76.

-- Richard Jepsen (rjepsen@mmcable.com), September 30, 2001.

I've kept it up to about 9 months in full glass bottles with no problem.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@flash.net), October 01, 2001.