FP4+ and Xtol

[Ian Marsh]

I have been using ID-11 to develop my films. I want to try Xtol and wondered what experience others have had with this combo with regard to film speed and development times.

Thanks for any help

[B&W Neil]

It is a good combination and I've used it a quite few times with FP4+, HP5+ . TriX and Neopan. Personal film speed really needs to be established by testing but start at film box speed. Also use the dev times given by Kodak on the packet and work from there.

Xtol was my standard developer from the time it came out to just a few years ago. The only reason I stopped using it was because it started to get hard to get hold of and one wasn't sure if Kodak were going to carry on making it. However, that seems to have past now and it's future looks secure.

Neil.

[DavidH]

I have been using X-Tol for more than a year as my standard developer. I started using it because it doesn't stain like ID11 and it's cheaper if you buy it in 5L packs.
I find it works very well with every Ilford, Kodak, Fuji and Foma film that I have tried. It didn't seem to be so good for EFKE and Adox brands, but I have only tried them with full strength developer. Maybe they would be better if I had diluted it.
I wouldn't hesitate to suggest you try it.

[CarlRadford]

I use it if I am not using a pyro type developer - seems to work well with everything to date.

[cmolinari]

Originally Posted by DavidH

It didn't seem to be so good for EFKE and Adox brands, but I have only tried them with full strength developer. Maybe they would be better if I had diluted it.

Here is an example for a photo taken on Efke 25 and developed in XTol 1:1:



Quite a lot of grain for 25 ASA. This is not the best combo, but it's okay.

And it's an example for a wrong film choice... street photography with a 25 ASA film is crazy, but I wanted to do it once -> not. I just had the film in my Leica and the roll was not finished.

[DavidH]

Grain was the fault that I got. Perhaps it's something about these "old technology" films that they just don't like this kind of developer.

[Neil Smith]

Originally Posted by DavidH

Grain was the fault that I got. Perhaps it's something about these "old technology" films that they just don't like this kind of developer.

I wouldn't call it a fault, just a consequence of the combination, which if you like is good and if you don't then bad.

Neil

[cmolinari]

The best results I saw with these films had been processed in Rodinal, HC-110, PMK and A49.

[Hughes]

In a word, my true love affair.
FP4 @ 160 asa devd in Xtol 1+1 at 20degs / 68F for 10' 30sec for multi grade defusion printing .
De-ironised / battery top-up water. 120 roll or 5/4 sheet
X-tol gives a slight push on film speed.
Huges.

[Ed Moss]

Stunning! I used ID-11 for years and XTOL does everything better.
I did a 16x20 FB selenium toned print this afternoon, neg was 5x4 FP4+ XTOL 1+1 6.30 at 24, results are outstanding