Foma Fomadon Excel developer

<p>I've been considering trying Foma Excel, which is supposed to be a clone of xtol. While I've used and liked Xtol in the past, these days I only shoot a few rolls of film a month, and I don't think that mixing up a full 5 liter package would be very practicable. Excel is available in 1 lt packages which I feel would make more sense for me. I was wondering if anyone here has tried it, and if I the published developing times for xtol would work with excel? Thanks</p>

<p>If you use developer only once in a while you might consider HC-110. It is also a phenidone type developer. The liquid concentrate has good keeping qualities.</p>

<p>Same problem here too, so I tried the Excel. I've used it with Tmax 400 old formula and Delta 400, very close to Xtol but not as fine grain. I will use the rest of the liter and then go back to Xtol and shoot more.</p>

<p>One of the reasons Kodak stopped making small packages is because Xtol tends to stop working suddenly, without any signs of exhastion. It is a lot less likely to happen when it's prepared in larger volumes.<br>

For occasional jobs, use one-shot liquid concentrates.</p>

<p>In Prague, Fomadon Excel W27 sells for 78 Czech crowns, the equivalent of 3,74 US dollars.<br>

At that price I wouldn't take any risks and use it one-shot only.<br>

Back when the 1 liter packs of XTOL were still available I used it extensively. No problems whatsoever but I made sure to replace it at least once a month and used only undiluted stock solution. A lot of the XTOL problems had to do with people using it at dilutions like 1:3. Kodak changed their datasheet later. They advise against using 1:3 now.<br>

A datasheet on Foma developers is available here: http://www.foma.cz/foma/produkt/FotoDetail.asp?ProduktID=270<br>

FWIW the manufacturer claims (on the Czech version of the website) that the working solution is good for up to two months and "provides exceptionally stable results".<br>

Michael<br>

http://vrhamburg.mheitmann.ch/</p>