[pure-silver] Re: What happens when XTOL dies

  • From: "Justin F. Knotzke" <jknotzke@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 08:13:42 -0500

<quote who=Jim Brick, date=[24/02/2006 20:52]/>

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I've never had Xtol die on me BUT, I've had friends who have. They say that it either develops normally, or it does not work at all. Nothing in the middle. Like a switch - on or off. But I have no personal experience here.

I am assuming it died on me. I'll know 100% for sure when the colour negs come back from the lab. But they are so thin to the point that there is barely any semblance of an image on it.

One thing I learned a very long time ago, is... If in a situation where you are using a film that you are not used to using, and you also do not know how to develop it, you always shoot another quick roll of the situation (in your case, the stage, etc.) and then cut this roll (36 exp 35mm or 220) into four equal pieces. then develop one piece, in what you think is is the correct developer/time/temp, and take a look. If you get bad results (like you did) you then try something else on the next quarter piece. Hopefully, by the time you have finished all four pieces, you will have the answer and be able to develop the real film properly.

Ya. It's one of those hard lessons learned. I would have preferred if the XTOL died on me when I was developing film from a recent shooting of cloud formations or the local Shriners Circus.. You know, something I could care less about. ;-)


The other thing is (and I am not saying that you did this) that when shooting rock type concerts, in camera meters, unless narrow spot meters, are pretty much useless. They see and are terribly biased by the bright stage lights. Using an averaging meter under these circumstances is the same as rating your 3200 film at ASA 12800 - at least a two stop push over 3200. Or even more! And TMX3200 is actually an ASA 800 film, so, setting your meter at 3200 and reading a bright stage with an averaging meter is sure death for the images - or the lack thereof. Here's what Kodak says, and the Kodak web site has development procedures for TMX 3200.

This possibility exists.. that the meter was fooled. However, I have many shots of the guitarist who was no where near any lights and no lights are visible in the frame where he too is so thin as to be barely there. Every single frame of both rolls is like this..

The stage was only really lit at the center. That, and many of the shots I took were quite tight and the lights themselves never made the frame. Anyhow, I'll know for sure when the colour comes back.

I liked XTOL. But this has spooked me. I need a developer that will last for six months without worry. I can test each time with little strips, but honestly, I'd rather just have a developer who's shelf life I can rely on.

I'm going to switch.. which sucks because I have to retest all my films.. but I have my eye on DD-X..

Anyhow, thanks to everyone for all the replies. Some really helpful stuff. I'll get the band the next time they play. They'll just have to wait. Lessons learned.

   J


--
Justin F. Knotzke
jknotzke@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.shampoo.ca
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