XTOL Problem

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I'm starting to experiment with b&w again, and I'm having a problem with negs done in XTOL. They're covered in tiny opaque flecks - it looks like some kind of particulate in the developer is adhering to the film (I'm having no problems with HC110 or Rodinol). Is it likely this is just a result of incomplete mixing or maybe a bad batch of XTOL?

BTW - I just scanned a test shot done with my 28 Summicron on TMX in Rodinol 1:50. I don't think I've ever seen a 35mm neg with that much resolution!

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), March 04, 2002

Answers

I'd almost bet my Summicron that you are suffering from undissolved developer which is sticking to your negs. Although one of the virtues of Xtol is its ability to be mixed at room temp, I've had better luck mixing it a little warmer, say 80-90F. I use two half gallon pitchers to mix in and carefully stir until all the particles are in suspension. I store the Xtol in a 5 litre jug that Kodak Rapid Fix comes in and add water to make 5 litres.

-- Ben Hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), March 04, 2002.

I've never had the problem you describe, but I always mix 5-liter batches near the maximum recommended temperature.

I know Kodak was having some problems with inaccurate distribution of chemicals in the 1-liter packages.

Can you see the particulate matter in your developing soln? You might try heating the concentrate up to about 90 deg. F and stirring it thoroughly to see if that dissolves any remaining solids.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), March 04, 2002.


Like Ben and Mike said.

I always found the "easy mixing" feature of XTol to be vastly overrated despitre it's other virtues. I usually ended up spending 20 minutes stirring a 90-degree mixture - and still sometimes had flakes, which I would filter out when I bottled the solution.

Main reason I switched to Ilford DDX, which seems to come pretty darn close to Xtol in a liquid concentrate.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 04, 2002.


after mixing, it is imperative that you filter into your final storage container. I have never seen this problem, but I filter every time the developer is used. TMX in Xtol and in Rodinal are both excellent pairings. perhaps if we mixed the two, we could gain the accutance of Rodinal with the fine-grain of Xtol? joking .. hmm?

-- daniel taylor (lightsmythe@agalis.net), March 04, 2002.

Hmmm. Thanks everyone for the heads-up on the mixing troubles with XTOL. I did see small flakes when I made up this batch - naively, I assumed they would dissolve during storage. I'll try heating it, and if that doesn't work I'll either mix a new batch or try some DDX.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), March 04, 2002.


I've used a boat load of XTOL now and never seen this problem, or any other problem with the developer. However, two things immediately come to mind. One: make sure the 'A' part is fully disolved before adding the 'B' part. Two: and most importantly, always mix the powders with distalled water.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 04, 2002.

Hi Paul, I second the advice to be sure that part A is completely dissolved before proceeding, and using higher temps seems to help too. I mix at 85 F, distilled water only.

You are sooo right about the 28. It really is spectacular. Try TMX in Xtol 1:1 for super fine grain and all the crisp detail in the world.

Daniel's joke about adding Rodinol to Xtol is no joke-someone's doing it. Go look at unblinkingeye.com In one of the articles there is an end note describing this.

-- Henry Ambrose (henry@henryambrose.com), March 04, 2002.


You have a problem not related to XTOL. XTOL mixes to a clean clean liquid. It's served as my primary developer since 1998 and I never experienced what you describe. XTOL is fantastic. Rodinal is a nice compliment for a different look with slow film.

-- Richard Jepsen (rjepsen@mmcable.com), March 04, 2002.

Your problem is not with the Xtol. You get a Summicron, I believe because it's not a solubility issue either. You're not mixing your Xtol with distilled water, are you?! Calcium and magnesium ions particularly play havoc with Xtol activity. If your water has any manganese in it, it will send your Xtol nuts.

There has been a recent thread on the Leica users Group about exactly this problem (with Neopan 1600) and that user reported success after switching to distilled water for mixing. Try it . . .

-- Marty (freakscene@weirdness.com), March 05, 2002.


I've used a fair amount of XTOL and have not had a problem with it. As others have said, do be sure that part A is fully dissolved before adding part B. Useing filtered tap water for all my chemistry and has not caused me problem. I got one of those canister filters and hook it up to a faucet with a cut off bit of garden hose and a coule of brass nipples.

-- Frank J. Schifano (fschifano@bigfoot.com), April 16, 2002.


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