xtol - I didn't read the directions

<p>I mixed both packets of xtol at the same time into 5 liters of water. I didn't mix them separate, according to directions. I assumed it was like mixing d-76, but at room temperature. Have I ruined the developer? Do I need to order new xtol? </p>

<p>Yes, absolutely. Pitch it and start again. Risking film would be a waste of time too, because even if it did work ok you'd never know if the developer was going to suddenly die on you. It happens with Xtol that gets too old.</p>

<p>If it went into suspension, I believe it will be fine.... I always thought that the separation was for dry storage purposes, to extend its shelf life in dry form(s).</p>

<p>I think the mixing directions are to ensure that the chemicals go into suspension effectively and easily. If you don't get a precipitate, you may be OK. It's been a few decades since chemistry at Ga. Tech, so I would tend to give weight to the suggestions made by some of the chemists that are members of this forum. In fact, I'm going to watch this thread so I will have an idea of what to do when I probably do the same thing one day!</p>

I know nothing about chemistry. However

there are yellow granules that won't dissolve

at the bottom of the container I used to mix

the xtol.

<p>In mixing developers from separate chemicals, the starting water temperature (usually warm), and mixing order are given. Some are harder to get dissolved, others so that they don't oxidize too soon.</p>

<p>I have never mixed Xtol, though. If you warm it up to the suggested mixing temperature, maybe a little more, then you might get the granules to dissolve. A magnetic stirrer would also help.</p>

<p>But the stirrer probably costs more than a new bag of Xtol. (Though you can reuse the stirrer.)</p>

<p>I'd crush the granules with a glass rod or a spoon, and stir it if you have access to a magnetic stirrer or something similar. Give them a day or two to see if they go into solution. If you have any doubts though, throw it out and start again. Your negatives are too valuable.</p>

<p>The 'sudden Xtol failure' is probably a thing of the past, and you shouldn't have to worry about it. The reason for it was chemical degradation due to improperly sealed packets, back when they sold Xtol in one-liter packets. I believe they solved that problem in the 1990s, and I've never personally experienced it.</p>

<p>I've had good success mixing the 5L pack to 1 gallon, rolling it slowly in a gallon glass thumb jug to minimize mixing air into the solution and decant to 8 oz bottles. It goes into suspension in that amount of water. I have a grid posted in my darkroom with the adapted quantities at this concentration to equal 1:0, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 dilutions from the standard stock solution in 5L batches. When all of the sudden failure chatter was going on years ago, I read that some were mixing to 1 gallon to extend the useful life as most chemistry behaves this way for storage. I have used some (experimentally) at 18 months with activity levels remaining constant, measured on my densitometer. I use a pyro developer as my go-to soup for most of what I do these days and literally have no chance of consuming a batch of Xtol, so it gets pitched annually, anyway....</p>

<p><img src=" alt="" /> After mixing packet "A" and "B" of Xtol simultaneously, because I don't read directions, I decided to go for it and develop a roll of Ilford hp5 shot in a Mamiya 1000dtl with a broken light meter. This was a test roll, so I didn't think it would hurt to test the Xtol I mixed wrong. I don't know if I would have different results if I had mixed the two packets according to direction.</p><div></div>

<p>This looks more grainy than I would expect from medium format HP5+... Perhaps it's just scanning artifacts? Did the roll appear grainy to your eye? The tones look well depicted for the harsh lighting situation, though. What dilution was this done with?</p>

It was 35mm film. Stock Xtol, not diluted.

<p>I see... I saw Mamiya and didn't even think of 35mm (sorry!). I think your results look quite normal or at least expected from HP5+ 35mm. If medium format as I had originally thought, it would be quite grainy. I really don't think that your activity level has been compromised as mixed. </p>