Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 2/5/00 7:32 AM, tom coleman at tdcoleman@home.com wrote: > Dear LUGers, > > While I love the extremely fine grain of Xtol developer on TMax 100, > I've also encountered unexpected variability in the development of the > negatives. Some rolls develop differently that others. > > While I have been careful with times, temperatures and dilutions, I > still can't necessarily predict what results I'll get when I souped them > in my 3 reel tank. > > Any suggestions on things to watch out for will be greatly appreciated > such as particular sensitivity characteristics of this film that I > should be aware of. Tmax emulsions and Xtol are a tricky combination at any dilution other than stock. Personally, I increase the dev time by two minutes to eleven minutes for TMY in Xtol 1:1. I think the reason for this (Rabiner is the expert) are threefold: (a) Tmax emulsions are greedy for developer, so there is a real issue about whether you get enough active Xtol in a dilute solution to fully develop them, unless you use stock. Even 3 rolls in 1 litre of Xtol 1:1 can lead to underdevelopment, though each roll has more than the recommended 100ml of Xtol stock available to it. (b) Tmax emulsions are very sensitive to processing variation. So the effects of (a) are intensified, where the same effect might not be as obvious in another (traditional) emulsion. (c) Xtol is notoriously variable from batch to batch. IMHO the results are absolutely worth it and I wouldn't use any other dev for these emulstions nowadays, but in order to get consistent results I recommend: (a) run your own test to establish the correct development time for your own combination of exposure, temperature and work habits. Some people find it works great at the nominal times/temps, others (like me) find a radical increase in dev time is necessary (and I *like* a flattish neg) (b) run a test roll with every new batch of xtol. (c) if you really run into problems, consider using distilled water to make up your xtol as despite the presence of EDTA (a chelating/sequesterint agent) in the formulat, the level of impurities in your water can affect the activity of the developer. - -- Johnny Deadman photos: http://www.pinkheadedbug.com music: http://www.jukebox.demon.co.uk