Re: [Leica] Xtolmania

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

Mark Rabiner wrote:

>I have finally got some prints done from my first dabbelings in Xtol 1:2
>and 1:3.
>I though my grain focuser was broken when I tried focusing from a pan F
>Neg with a 7X and 9X magnifaction. I had to find a zipper in the image
>to pull it off (that's a good one!). I'll admit I'm used to Rodinal
>1:50. I think the only reason the images look softer than the Rodinal is
>because there is no grain pattern to give you that effect. I looks 5 to
>10 percent less sharp but I have a feeling it my be in reality only 2
>percent less sharp than Rodinal. Plenty sharp enough considering the
>gradation is excellent and the grain astounding.
>I also printed some tri X shot on location at the same magnification and
>it was almost the same thing. I could just make out a grain pattern. In
>the dry Multigrade RC prints the grain is not there. I recleaned my
>Nikkor lenses and dreamed about the Apo Schneider and so on. Tri X so
>grainless it looks like Agfapan 25 or Pan F in Rodinal (in between the
>two to really be specific).
>I'm telling you guys and gals this Xtol thing puts us in a new ball
>game. It's enough to inspire you back to darkroom work if you have been
>out for a while. That and an Aristo VC Head.
>Mark Rabiner
>

I could hardly contain my excitement when I read Mark's post.  As many
LUGgers already know, I cannot get XTOL in Singapore and through the kind
efforts of a few good friends including our LUG member Henning Wulff, I
managed to ship in a small quantity to give it a start.  It was love at
first ....... (I cannot even think of a suitable word to describe the
chemistry between Man and this fine product).  This is the brew that I had
been waiting for!!

The greatest practical advantage to me is that it can be used at 27 deg C
(which is the room temperature of Singapore tap water in the morning).  No
need for messy cooling and any fickle temperature adjustments.  Everything
is at room temparature.  There are neat dilutions  (stock, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3)
and development times to cater for all sorts of working volumes.  What else
can one ask for?

After using XTOL, every other developer in my part of the woods has been
producing granier negatives.  Even TMax is no match.

Dan K.