Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]><Snip> > with slower films and/or medium format. Sharp as a razor! > > Xtol works OK when diluted 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 and can be improved (for > highlight control) by the alkali bath method. Give it 1/2 to 2/3 the > normal time then into a bath of Sodium Metaborate to sit for a few > minutes while the developer exhausts giving a subtle compensating effect. > > Anyone else use these or similar techniques? > > Henry Ambrose > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html Henry i think this divided D76 would be the answer to the problems you are talking about having. Although i don't know why you are having these problems and if they are with the old Delta 400 or the brand new just out stuff. I've done divided development and it works. Your highlights are just not going to block up. It might even give you some more film speed. You do get more to work with in a neg without undue mush. If it was me though I'd try altered D76. Using ascobic acid in the D76 instead of hydroquinone. My results with Xtol are so amazing that doing that would make D76 into and "Xtol" D76 as this is what Xtol does. Xtol does Phenidone with an Ascorbic acid derivative. I'm tempted in working up or stealing a replacement with Metal/Elon instead as i tend to like that developing agent better and it just might work better according to my calculations with Ascorbic acid. Also mixing it up fresh each time i don't have to worry about freshness. So in effect I've got E76 or something close to it. Also you've got your choice of alkalis instead of plain 100 mule team Borax used in the D76 formula. Sodium Metaborate (Kodalk) is kind of exotic and packs some extra punch. Fizzy! Mark Rabiner Portland, Oregon USA http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/ - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html