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Thread: xtol alternative

  1. #1

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    xtol alternative

    Given the current production issues with xtol what's a good alternative developer similar to xtol?
    http://www.gregoryflanagan.com

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  2. #2

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    Re: xtol alternative

    Quote Originally Posted by gflanslo View Post
    Given the current production issues with xtol what's a good alternative developer similar to xtol?
    Alternatives similar to Xtol can be mixed with ascorbic acid, Vitamin C, as the main reducer.

    Patrick Gainer did a lot of experimental work with ascorbic acid developers.
    https://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/VitC/vitc.html

    He also formulated long lasting ascorbic acid developers in stock solutions mixed in both glycol and Triethanolamine, or TEA. He posted a lot of information on these formulas on various photo sites, including APUG and PhotoNet.

    Sandy
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  3. #3
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    Re: xtol alternative

    If you don't want to mix your own, there are Xtol "clones" from other vendors - search for ascorbic acid developers.

  4. #4

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    Re: xtol alternative

    I've never mixed my own, might be a fun future project, but I think I'll stick to a "clone". Thanks for your responses
    http://www.gregoryflanagan.com

    "The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition." - Carl Sagan

  5. #5

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    Re: xtol alternative

    Quote Originally Posted by gflanslo View Post
    Given the current production issues with xtol what's a good alternative developer similar to xtol?
    D-76/ID-11. XTOL was really the first (and last) developer to improve on the speed-grain-sharpness balance of D-76, and the differences are very small. Depending on the film, generally speaking the D-76 characteristic curve is similar to XTOL, with XTOL tending to have somewhat less highlight (extreme highlight) contrast.

    If you are planning on scratch-mixing a stock or concentrate, particularly in water, in general I suggest avoiding ascorbates.
    Last edited by Michael R; 8-Jan-2021 at 16:16.

  6. #6
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    Re: xtol alternative

    DS-10
    fine grain film developer

    Water 750 ml
    Dimezone S 0.15 g
    Ascorbic Acid 8 g
    Boric Acid 4 g
    Salicylic Acid 1 g
    Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) 75 g
    Triethanolamine 99% 10 ml
    Water to make 1000 ml
    Mixing Instructions: Add chemicals in specified sequence.
    Dilution: Stock or 1+1
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
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  7. #7

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    Re: xtol alternative

    Freestyle sells Eco Pro same thing as XTOL, schools use it lower prife. Foma makes a 1 liter pack, not sure what it is. Now that Sino Promise has full control of the chemical and paper division I would expect things will be straightened out.

  8. #8

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    Re: xtol alternative

    I just checked, all of the Ilford powdered b&w chemistry, listed at Freestyle are out of stock. I suspect that the cargo and delivery services being overwhelmed is the cause. I got a reply from Ilford and there's stock of all these products in the UK.
    Everything is going to be a mess for a while, I saw a UPS fella, unloading packages from a UHaul truck today.

  9. #9

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    Re: xtol alternative

    Fomadon Excel is a (more or less?) exact copy of Xtol.

  10. #10

    Re: xtol alternative

    There is a PQ / ascorbic acid variant of D76 in the 3rd edition of the Darkroom Cookbook. Personally I am settling on D76H. I loved XTol, but I got sheets to process my dudes.

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