Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/11

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Subject: Re: [Leica] OT: Xtol problem
From: Gaifana@aol.com
Date: Tue Jul 11 07:16:42 2000

Been there, done that.  I don't think that it's the developer, based on my dealings with Xtol.  The most common causes of Xtol failure I have experienced are

- - one part settling out of solution (sounds like what happened to you) or just being suspended, not dissolved.

- - too-strict adherence to Kodak's numbers, which with T-grain films need about a minute over what they tell you.  Looking a little thin is what every TMY and TMZ negative you do in Xtol according to the book does.  Your 3200 looks soft - just like TMZ does.  It's a similar problem. 

But I think that (a) the packaging problem is over and (b) Xtol is just too good to ditch over what is essentially hearsay perpetuated on a lot of sites.  If you make sure everything is properly dissolved, and you recompute the times upwards, it produces outstanding results.

Dante Stella

In a message dated Mon, 10 Jul 2000  9:46:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Roy Zartarian <royzart@connix.com> writes:

<< LUGs,

The part A powder in the two packages of Xtol purchased last week was caked
inside the foil pouch as if the powder had become damp.  This powder did
dissolve okay. Two test "disposable" rolls of Ilford HP5 came out of the
development process satisfactorily, but a subsequent roll of Ilford 3200
looked a little thin.

From photo.net I learned that Kodak has had some packaging problems with
this product and that results with caked Part A were inconsistent.  I did
email the folks in Rochester from their web page about the situation but
have not yet received a reply.

Much as I liked what Xtol can do, I guess until Kodak cleans up its act,
I'm going to jump on the ID-11 bandwagon.

Roy
 

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