howard b. schwartz Posted August 31, 2002 Share Posted August 31, 2002 i want to try tmax 400 and xtol at 1:1. could someone recommend some starting "N" developement times. also, does xtol at 1:1 give sharper negatives than xtol straight? thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted August 31, 2002 Share Posted August 31, 2002 Howard the "Film Developing Cookbook" has any time you could need. I use XTOL 1:2 or 1:3 depending on which film. Since XTOL is a solvent developer, for acutance (sharp edges) you will want to dilute. For fine grain use at 1:1 or straight and adjust exposure. XTOL is a speed increasing developer and you may find that you can increase your E.I. a 1/2 stop or more. I use HP5+ @1:2 and FP4+ @ 1:3 for sheet film. I think that it's better to use the developer at a higher temp and usually develop @ 72 deg diluted. I have read that some develop @ 75 with no problems. According to the FDCookbook Tmax 1:1 at 400, 68 deg winds up at 8.75 minutes at an EI of 400. Straight is 6.5 minutes at 68deg. Go from there or someone may have some practical numbers. I think you'll have to test regardless, and at least the above figures will get you started. For 72deg try 7'10" for 1:1 and 5'25" straight. There is a practical difference in developing small format film. I find that at 1:1 the contrast goes up with 35mm film, and you have to watch your agitation. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0002a Posted August 31, 2002 Share Posted August 31, 2002 Just for your information there is a new XTOL clone sold by Paterson called FX-50. It comes in two parts A & B (like XTOL) except that the two parts come in liquid concentrate form (instead of powder) and can be mixed right before use. Paterson claims that FX-50 has a very long shelf life in concentrate form (each part stored separately). www.patersonphotographic.com/chemistry/developers.html#two Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William D. Lester Posted September 4, 2002 Share Posted September 4, 2002 Howard - I have routinely used TMY rated at EI250 and developed in Xtol 1:1 for 8 1/2 min for 120 film and 10 min for sheet film. The results can be exceptional. William D. Lester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_urban3 Posted September 4, 2002 Share Posted September 4, 2002 Last month shot a lot of TMAX 400 and developed in XTOL 1:1 for 8 mins 45 seconds, if memory serves, on a Jobo rotary processor. Got some spectacular results too. Check out the Massive Development Chart for lots of different film/developer/dilution times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_jones2 Posted September 5, 2002 Share Posted September 5, 2002 I have been amazed that the datasheets that Kodak has on the website, have times that seem to be right on the money for Xtol for various development methods, temperatures, and films (all brands). See what they say; I think you will be pleased. . . Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted September 5, 2002 Share Posted September 5, 2002 and if you want the older "banned" data sheets with 3:1 dilution, I think I still have the PDF somewhere... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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