Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/13

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Subject: Re: [Leica]XTOL Stock or dilute?OT
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 15:05:10 -0800

Dan S wrote:
><Snip> 
> That said, why do many photographers dilute?  What advantage does this
> practice give?  Is this just economizing or are there performance advantages
> I have not realized?
> 
> PS in comparison to my experiences with D76 I find XTOL a bit lacking in
> accutance, but of low grain when used stronger than stock.  I'd love to hear
> other experiences with these developers.  Delta 100 and Tri-X are my films
> of choice by the way..
> 
> Best wishes
> Dan States
> 
I dilute my Xtol for exactly this reason. For the acutance/edge effect issue.
(They kinda overlap and are the same) I go 1:3!!
What is it that you are going for running it straight or more so?
My pals would run their D76 1:3 in the early 70's. More grain but more
acutance/edge effects.
Dilution also stops you highlights from blocking as fast; more compensation
which means you can build up some shadow density without blocking up your
highlights as fast. 
Which was mentioned last week.
By me.
I get grainless 400 speed films at 1:3 in Xtol. Xtol is almost too smooth.
Mark Rabiner