Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>The current Xtol datasheet is April 1998-J109. > >On the matter of how much active ingredient to use, they are very >specific (page 2, "Capacity"): > >"We recommend always starting with at least 100 mL of full-strength >developer to prepare the diluted solution for each 135-36 or 120 roll. >for example, with a 1:3 dilution, this would produce about 400 mL of >solution. This is the minimum amount per roll, even though a lesser >amount may be adequate to cover the film" Yes, the data sheet is specific, but also not all that clear. The 'Capacity' section has a subsection 'Time Compensation' which states that the capacity is approx 15 rolls of film per litre, with time compensation. These three words are important. And then, if you go to the bottom of the page, there is a table for the time compensation. It says: "increase normal development time by 15% if you develop 6-10 films per litre and increase these times by another 15% (that is by one-third in total) if you develop 11 to 15 films per litre full strength developer (FSD)". To me that means that if you use 100ml FSD per film you develop 10 rolls per litre and should increase the times given in the table by 15%. Perhaps a little more as a 33% increase is recommended if you use 91 ml (1000 ml divided by 11 films), and I do not think that development times jumps in such steps for minor dilution changes. As always, your mileage may vary.... And the mileage for different brand films does vary as the test made by Jobo confirms. They say Fuji and Agfa need more developer than Kodak and Ilford films On the subject of Jobo tanks (and other are similar), on the bottom of my tank it says that its needs 260 ml per film, which is true. But what is also true is that you can put as much as 400 ml in the small tank, and this may be the solution to the capacity problem you would otherwise have. Just be a little bit more careful when agitating and emptying the tank. I have tried Xtol undiluted and diluted 1+1 and 1+2 and 1+3 with Delta 100 exposed at 200. I found the 1+1 dilution to give the best over all result. I always buy the 5 litre pack, which costs less than two one litre packs. I find it false economy to save on developer and I use at least 150 ml FSD per film. Troop and Anchell would find even that too little I guess..... 150 ml makes almost 7 films per litre FSD and I have found the 15% time increase described above to be needed and adequate. - -- christer almqvist eichenstrasse 57, d-20255 hamburg, fon +49-40-407111 fax +49-40-4908440 14 rue de la hauteur, f-50590 regnéville-sur-mer, fon+fax +33-233 45 35 58