Huge plus one on the wine bag, I made a boxed wine style xtol dispenser which is super convenient to use for replenishing. Its nearly 8 months old and it shows no signs of age
Thanks Alex, between this video and Patrick’s, I’m convinced to give up Microphen and go with Xtol, now that it’s (finally) available again. The economy can’t be beat and the replenishment method seems to make the most sense for those of us who aren’t developing great quantities of B&W each month.
I switched to XT3 a few months ago because I couldn't find ID11 on thephotoshop so this is handy. I'm shooting it on replenishment, working very well so far.
I remember when Xtol was introduced back in the day. I grew to really like the results I was getting. Before that I was a long time user of Agfa Rodinal 1:50 12 minutes at 68° tri-x or HP-5+. Starting to think about processing my own black and white film again think I'll start with Xtol. If it's on the fault to the environment may think twice.
I also like Foma 100 in Xtol … pretty much everything in Xtol … still working out when I prefer stock vs a dilution … and my agitation strategies. But it’s all good.
XTOL and ProImage 100, two of my favorites as well. I use XTOL 1:1 in my Jobo, works well there, as well as 1:1 in Paterson tanks. Mixing in bucket is a bit of pain, after that, I store the stock in brown glass bottles with some 'canned air' duster topping it off (I think it's some sort of fluoroethane or ???) - haven't had an issue with mine dying off yet. Very good comprehensive look at this developer - I'll have to watch your other evaluations.
xtol is certainly a great developer! Though personally, I prefer FX-55 (it's quite similar, slight speed boost over xtol. But it is a developer you need to mix yourself from scratch)
I was just gonna comment about it! it may or may not be the reason I still have chemical burns on my hands. I do a 5L kit to 2L and dilute that 1:1.5 when I'm ready to use it. I've had solns hold for 12 months with this technique, but I've also stained stainless steel draining boards with it so be careful 😂
Great, been looking for this! You know if Xtol picks up any silver from the film during development, or is that just an issue for fixer? My city's water treatment is a bit sensitive to silver, but would be nice not to have to bike with 5 liter jugs to get to the chemical disposal that's quite far away from me :D
Hi, thx for the great video! Great to know about the easy disposing! One question: do you have any experience with the 1+3 solution with less than 100ml? Not knowing about that I‘ve been using it for quite a while now with 67ml and now I‘m a bit scared I‘m doing things wrong.. how would I know its not working well? :) thx :)
Happy to help, delighted you found it useful. :) I have never used 1+3 myself, but this would be quite easy to check. The issue you'd expect would be to see thin negatives, with not enough developer to develop the correct amount of silver. Different films tolerate underdevelopment better than others though so the results might actually be "fine" either way!
Second question! I bought XT-3, the Adox variant of Xtol. They say to mix part A in 4 liters, then mix part B in the same liquid, and lastly top up with water to 5 liter. Do you know if it HAS to be 4+1 liter? Or could I mix it 3+2 liter instead?
It doesn't have to be strictly 4+1 but the powder can take a short while to dissolve (depending on temp and mixing) so using less water would make it take a little longer. Nothing critical to the process!
Huge plus one on the wine bag, I made a boxed wine style xtol dispenser which is super convenient to use for replenishing. Its nearly 8 months old and it shows no signs of age
Thanks Alex, between this video and Patrick’s, I’m convinced to give up Microphen and go with Xtol, now that it’s (finally) available again. The economy can’t be beat and the replenishment method seems to make the most sense for those of us who aren’t developing great quantities of B&W each month.
Use Adox XT-3 instead. No problem with dust when diluting.
Alternatives like XT-3 are on the cards for the future. :)
BTW thanks for putting these videos together!
XT-3 has become my main developer, I love it.
I switched to XT3 a few months ago because I couldn't find ID11 on thephotoshop so this is handy. I'm shooting it on replenishment, working very well so far.
I need to mix up my XT3 soon, I've heard great things.
I remember when Xtol was introduced back in the day. I grew to really like the results I was getting. Before that I was a long time user of Agfa Rodinal 1:50 12 minutes at 68° tri-x or HP-5+. Starting to think about processing my own black and white film again think I'll start with Xtol. If it's on the fault to the environment may think twice.
Would be good to see one of these on Zone Imaging ecofix
Great video! I just picked up my first bag of XTOL, this is super helpful information.
I also like Foma 100 in Xtol … pretty much everything in Xtol … still working out when I prefer stock vs a dilution … and my agitation strategies. But it’s all good.
Thx for the video. I've waited this video👍
XTOL and ProImage 100, two of my favorites as well. I use XTOL 1:1 in my Jobo, works well there, as well as 1:1 in Paterson tanks. Mixing in bucket is a bit of pain, after that, I store the stock in brown glass bottles with some 'canned air' duster topping it off (I think it's some sort of fluoroethane or ???) - haven't had an issue with mine dying off yet. Very good comprehensive look at this developer - I'll have to watch your other evaluations.
Great info, thank you
Great video. Thank you! 👍
18:14 I was expecting a little poke :(
xtol is certainly a great developer! Though personally, I prefer FX-55 (it's quite similar, slight speed boost over xtol. But it is a developer you need to mix yourself from scratch)
Has somebody tried something that's called "superstock"? It's the same powder, bud diluted in half amount of water to prelong shelflife.
I was just gonna comment about it! it may or may not be the reason I still have chemical burns on my hands. I do a 5L kit to 2L and dilute that 1:1.5 when I'm ready to use it. I've had solns hold for 12 months with this technique, but I've also stained stainless steel draining boards with it so be careful 😂
Great, been looking for this! You know if Xtol picks up any silver from the film during development, or is that just an issue for fixer? My city's water treatment is a bit sensitive to silver, but would be nice not to have to bike with 5 liter jugs to get to the chemical disposal that's quite far away from me :D
I can't say confidently, but I wouldn't expect a huge accumulation of silver in the dev! I'd reckon you're alright here. :)
Hi, thx for the great video! Great to know about the easy disposing!
One question: do you have any experience with the 1+3 solution with less than 100ml? Not knowing about that I‘ve been using it for quite a while now with 67ml and now I‘m a bit scared I‘m doing things wrong.. how would I know its not working well? :) thx :)
Happy to help, delighted you found it useful. :)
I have never used 1+3 myself, but this would be quite easy to check. The issue you'd expect would be to see thin negatives, with not enough developer to develop the correct amount of silver. Different films tolerate underdevelopment better than others though so the results might actually be "fine" either way!
@@Shaka1277 thanks a lot :)
Second question! I bought XT-3, the Adox variant of Xtol. They say to mix part A in 4 liters, then mix part B in the same liquid, and lastly top up with water to 5 liter. Do you know if it HAS to be 4+1 liter? Or could I mix it 3+2 liter instead?
It doesn't have to be strictly 4+1 but the powder can take a short while to dissolve (depending on temp and mixing) so using less water would make it take a little longer. Nothing critical to the process!
@@Shaka1277 Great! Then I can use my 3l Erlenmeyer and magnetic stir bar :)
does it go better with gin or vodka?
Gin but I'd normally pair it with a light white wine. 🍷
The 1ltr. packets of Xtol were withdrawn because of SDS.
Could you explain what you mean?