XTOL

Kodak XTOL is a unique and widely respected film developer produced by the Eastman Kodak Company, known for its versatility, fine grain, and exceptional image quality. While the modern world is engulfed by digital technology, traditional film-based photography retains a distinctive charm, with film developers like XTOL continuing to be essential in the black-and-white film development process. XTOL is admired for its ability to render images with sharpness, broad tonal range, and minimal graininess.

Components and Characteristics

Introduced in the mid-1990s, XTOL uses ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as the developing agent. This makes it an environmentally friendly option compared to developers that rely on more harmful chemicals like hydroquinone. Furthermore, ascorbic acid is known for yielding clean negatives with a wide tonal range, enhancing the overall quality of the image.

XTOL also contains phenidone, another developing agent that works in conjunction with ascorbic acid. Phenidone is known for its ability to produce finer grain, enhance image sharpness, and improve tonal separation in the final print, all contributing to XTOL’s unique image quality.

In terms of versatility, XTOL can be used with virtually all types of black-and-white films, irrespective of their speed or manufacturer, making it a favorite among professional photographers and hobbyists alike.

Working Solution Preparation

XTOL is typically sold as a powdered concentrate, which users must dissolve into water to create a working solution. It’s packaged in two parts, Part A and Part B, which should be mixed in order. First, dissolve Part A in warm water, followed by Part B. After both parts have been mixed, additional water is added to achieve the final volume.

While creating the solution, it is critical to ensure that the water temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius for the best results. The XTOL working solution can be used immediately after preparation or stored for future use, typically lasting up to six months if stored properly.

Usage and Dilution

XTOL can be used as a stock solution or diluted to varying degrees, depending on the photographer’s specific requirements. As a stock solution, it offers consistent results, optimal sharpness, and very fine grain. When diluted, XTOL provides greater film speed, potentially useful for shooting in low light conditions. Common dilutions include 1:1 and 1:3, with the former offering a good balance of film speed and image quality, and the latter providing maximum film speed but with slightly coarser grain.

While the processing times vary depending on the film and dilution used, generally, processing in XTOL involves agitation in the first minute and then once every minute thereafter.

Development times for different films

Calculation of the development solution
How much development solution do you need?