msitaraman Posted August 25, 2006 Share Posted August 25, 2006 Does it make sense to try and dissolve the two parts of the xtol packet in propylene glycol or glycerin (water for the non oxidizing part, I don't know which one that is) to improve its keeping quality to longer than say, 12 months? Can this be done? Alternatively, is it possible to separate out the ingredients of homebrew X-Tol aka Mytol to do the same. The fear of X-Tol failure has kept me from trying it. Any and all answers and input welcome. I know little about this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank.schifano Posted August 25, 2006 Share Posted August 25, 2006 Seems like you're willing to go through a lot of trouble for no benefit. I've been using XTOL for a long time new and have always used the 5L size. It keeps at least 6 months if you have it in completely full bottles. The batch I'm working with now is 8 months old and still working fine. If you'll be using less than that, then maybe you should consider mixing up a homebrew solution. I hear tell that Mytol or PC-TEA developers are very similar to XTOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeseb Posted August 25, 2006 Share Posted August 25, 2006 Don't be afraid of X-tol. I mix the 5-liter batch and put it into 20 250mL glass bottles, since that's about the amount I use per roll. It has kept at least 6-8 mos, about the time it takes me to use it up. I've also used both Mytol and PC-TEA, and results are similar with all three. I will probably move towards using PC-TEA, since it keeps about forever and since I am shooting more digital and less film these days. Lots of info on these threads, and over at APUG.org, about these and other Xtol homebrew variants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven nelson Posted August 25, 2006 Share Posted August 25, 2006 Why bother with all the headache as the cost of the five liter version is not that great. My approach is to use what I can in 2-3 months. If there is any left I dump it out and make a new batch. With all the time/energy/money invested in taking the shot, I would not monkey around with trying to preserve XTOL for 12 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_svensson Posted August 25, 2006 Share Posted August 25, 2006 What you are proposing can not be done. The main developing agent in Xtol is sodium ascorbate, an alkaline form of ascorbic acid that will not, AFAIK, dissolve in organic solvents. Xtol also contains other salts that won't dissolve. If you're concerned about longevity, make PC-TEA, or use the precautions others are suggesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bljkasfdljkasfdljskfa Posted August 26, 2006 Share Posted August 26, 2006 "Why bother with all the headache as the cost of the five liter version is not that great." Depends on how much you shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_gainer Posted August 26, 2006 Share Posted August 26, 2006 I'm with the others. My fear is not that it will sooner or later go bad, but that it also knows the full extent of Murphy's Law. Commercially, you have various controls to go along with Xtol. At home, you can mix up a small batch of PC-TEA or some other one in quite a short time that will keep for a very long time and be ready when you are. A gallon of TEA costs about 16$ + shipping. 400 grams of ascorbic acid, a few grams of phenidone and some water will keep you going through about 150 rolls or 8x10 sheets of film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_federici Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Hi All, it can be useful to know that the Fomadon Excel film developer produced by FOMA is identical to XTOL, but it is sold in 1 liter doses. Antonio Federici Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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