Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/04/28

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Subject: [Leica] XTOL
From: jls at runbox.com (Jeffery Smith)
Date: Wed Apr 28 09:06:10 2004

I used a plastic paint bucket from the hardware store.

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Julian
Koplen
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:46 AM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] XTOL


What sort of container is easy and practical for mixing the initial 5
liters?  I have a pack ready for mixing but have done no darkroom work for
almost 40 years.

Thanks in advance..........Julian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daniel Ridings" <daniel.ridings@muspro.uio.no>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] XTOL


Matt,

You would be better off saving the 5 liters in a number of smaller bottles.
That way you don't expose all the solution to air every time you open a
bottle and pour off some solution to make your working dilution.

There are many ways to do it. Whatever works for you. I split the 5 liters
into 4 1.5 liter bottles I get mineral water in (I'm trying to be "correct"
here. I do use mineral water bottles if I have them, but the kids drink more
Coke than water, so I use 1.5 liter bottles that used to have Coke in it).
That gives me 4.5 liters. I then have a few smaller bottles (once again,
mineral water or Coke): 500 ml.

When it's time to break open a 1.5 liter bottle, I empty it over into 3
smaller bottles and work out of them. When they're finished I just refill
them (cleaning them out and all of course).

As for working solution. It's a religion.

You'll find times for 1:1 (1 part Xtol 1 part water). You can also use it
straight (don't) or 1:2 or 1:3.

I've settled on 1:2 or 1:3 depending on my patience. You'll have to look
around for the times for starters.

A roll in a stainless steel tank requires 225ml of solution (for me).
Diluting at 1:2 that gives me 75 ml of Xtol and 150 ml of water (1:2).

Some say use distilled water, I don't. I used to but I quit and I haven't
noticed any difference. It all depends on your tap-water locally.

I think this site has Kodak's old recommendations for various dilutions.
Kodak quit publishing them:

http://www.digitaltruth.com (go to their massive development chart and
choose Xtol). They're not sacred times. But they'll get you started.

Daniel


On Wed, 28 Apr 2004, Matt Shonfeld wrote:

> I made up the 5 litres of Kodak XTOL film developer following the 
> instructions.  Can anyone explain if I now need to dilute again. I am 
> developing a single film in a Patterson container.  From what I can 
> gather I need 100 ml for one film straight from the 5 litres, is this 
> right ???
>
> Matt
>
> _______________________________________________
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