Re: [Leica] XTOL and Tmax

[Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>]

Bill wrote:
> 
> Gentlepeople,
> 
> For the second time in as many months, I have had problems with developing
> Tmax in XTOL and I was wondering if I was alone.
> 
> I developed a single roll of Tmax 100 in fresh XTOL diluted 1:1 (total of
> 300 ml) at 75 degrees.  According to the chart, development time was to have
> been 7 minutes and I agitated ever minute.  My result was almost clear film
> with only the barest hint of an exposure.
> 
> Ordinarily I will develop at 70 degrees for 8 and 1/2 minutes and have no
> problems.  Is there something off on the charts or what?  Fortunately I also
> shot color (OT: Leica R8 and 100 APO for some headshots of a Miss Colorado
> contestant) so the afternoon wasn't a total loss but now I am fearful of
> ever using Tmax again.
> 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> Bill in Denver

You don't mention if you poured from a bottle that was stored partially filled
or from a one liter packet the two main culprits behind such problems.

If your film came out almost clear than it doesn't not sound like Kodak had
underestimated their starting time. It sound like if it were any other developer
it would have turned brown. Xtol does not turn brown to warn you that you stored
it wrong and that it had oxidized. 

Xtol is supposed to be kept in filled bottles or in a bladder so no air can
touch it while it is being stored. It keeps better than the vast majority of
developers when kept this way. And lots of people keep whatever other developers
they are using this way now.
Did you pour your Xtol out of a bottle that was kept in your darkroom partially filled?
This is my first guess as to what probably happened.
This info by the way is marked clearly on the outside of the packet with all the
other small writing on there. It's not something you have to be in the inside
track on... downloading rare and exotic pdf's from secret darkroom societies.

The other thing is if you were using a one liter packet.
There were supposed to have been fixed by now but you could have gotten an old one.
This defect is usually giving away by the power caking up and then not
dissolving right.
I know some claim to never have had any problem with them.

The main point is that I never heard of anyone who used a 5 liter packet and
stored the mixed chemical correctly ever experiencing what is now being call
"Xtol failure" but is really "failure to read the instructions and follow them."
And there are several times more people on the darkroom and large format
newsgroups then there are here on the LUG!

I ran Xtol twice this week from months old bottles and all has gone well as usual.
No Xtol failure ever for this dude and it's getting into the years.

I keep mine in five brown glass one liter bottles but when i use a half liter to
pour the rest into a little half liter bottle and cap it off. They always work
and are very convenient.
The next batch i can pour right out of the half liter bottle without even
measuring. 1:3 in a 2 liter metal tank!
I have two rolls of 120 Delta 100 layed out on my light table right now from
this week that would pass for APX 25 in Rodinal any day. Looks as sharp and if
anything LESS grain.

Mark Rabiner

Portland, Oregon
USA

http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/

It sounds like "Xtol failure".
Xtol failure is what the Newsgroups are calling obviouly when this happens. When
Xtol Fails.
I think i disagree with the term.