Tri-X /Agfa 400 in D-76 vs Xtol

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I have used Xtol and Rodinal as developers for several years. I recently developed medium format Tri-X and Agfa 400 test frames in D-76 and Xtol 1:1. Using a wood Martin guitar as the subject, Tri-X produced increased micro gradation on the the wood sound board than Agfa 400. This held true regardless of developer. Tri-X pan was rated at 400 and developed in Xtol 1:1 to a CI of .53. Xtol produced more contrast, slighty better tonality than D-76 1:1, and provided at least 1/2 stop increase in speed. For D-76/Tri-X I used 20C and 8 Min. The small amount of Phenidone used in Xtol may account for these characteristics. Have others seen the same results? results?

-- Richard Jepsen (rjepsen@mmcable.com), January 21, 2000

Answers

In my experience Xtol 1:1 gives about a 2/3 stop speed increase compared to D-76 1:1; the tradeoff is somewhat more apparent graininess.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), January 21, 2000.

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