Xtol from Photo Systems 2025?

[retina_restoration]

Are any of you buying/using the current Xtol manufactured by Photo Systems Inc. here in the US? Have you found it to be reliable and consistent? First hand experiences welcomed.
I'd like to be able to use Kodak Xtol again, but I have difficulty trusting any Kodak branded chemistry after my experiences with it back in the early 2010s. Anyone remember the "molasses Dektol"??

 

[John Wiegerink]

Are any of you buying/using the current Xtol manufactured by Photo Systems Inc. here in the US? Have you found it to be reliable and consistent? First hand experiences welcomed.
I'd like to be able to use Kodak Xtol again, but I have difficulty trusting any Kodak branded chemistry after my experiences with it back in the early 2010s. Anyone remember the "molasses Dektol"??

I got tired of playing games like "off again-on again" availability and switching of manufactures of Xtol. I switched to Adox XT-3 for my replenishment system and have no regrets in doing so. I do have to admit I had to wait for my last 1L pack (used for the replenisher) to be in stock at Freestyle.

 

[Alan9940]

Not Xtol, but I did buy two 1 gal packs of D-76 made by Photo Systems to use for 8x10 film development in tanks & hangers. No issues to report.

 

[mshchem]

PSI has been making photochemistry for over 50 years

 

[retina_restoration]

PSI has been making photochemistry for over 50 years

Forgive me, but after buying a sh*tload of bad Xtol, D-76 and Dektol about 7 years ago, I do not trust any "Kodak" branded chemistry, regardless of who made it. I want proof that I'm going to get a reliable product I can trust.

So far, three replies, but no reports from anyone who has bought and used the PSI production of Xtol??

 

[mshchem]

Forgive me, but after buying a sh*tload of bad Xtol, D-76 and Dektol about 7 years ago, I do not trust any "Kodak" branded chemistry, regardless of who made it. I want proof that I'm going to get a reliable product I can trust.

So far, three replies, but no reports from anyone who has bought and used the PSI production of Xtol??

I have (am using) PSI made XTOL, works fine. The problem stuff was from Sino Promise. Current batches (not old stock) available from B&H, Cinestill should be exactly the same as Kodak way back when. If you want the original HC-110 you'll need a time machine, Adox claims to be making the (OG) HC-110 syrup, we shall see.

 

[btaylor]

Retina-restoration, I do not have direct experience with PSI manufactured Xtol, and I certainly understand your concern.
With that out of the way I do want to say I’ve been using PSI products since the ‘80s (back in the Unicolor days) and I’ve never had a problem. C41, E6, Dektol clone, HC110 clone and probably more I don’t remember.

 

[gkardmw]

I have been using Xtol for the past year, bought about a year ago. About half done with the 5 gallons using replenishing system and working just fine. I don't think you need to worry.

 

[runswithsizzers]

So far, three replies, but no reports from anyone who has bought and used the PSI production of Xtol??

@retina_restoration, I bought a 5 liter pkg of Kodak Xtol from B&H in October of 2024, and the packaging indicated "made in USA by Photo Systems, Inc." I mixed the kit with grocery store distilled water in November 2024.

So far, I have used that batch of Xtol to develop only one roll of film (it was a rough winter for my family):
Ilford Delta 3200 in 120 <https://garywright.smugmug.com/Photography/Ilford-Delta-3200-120-Nov-2024>

That roll was the first time I've done any night shooting in decades, and also my first and only roll of Delta 3200. So I hesitate to comment on my results because they are outside of my normal experience. I was able to print several of those negatives in the darkroom, and I don't remember having any unusual difficulty, so I assume the development of the negatives must have been more-or-less normal(?) In the link, there is a shot of my negatives on a light table, if you want to judge them for yourself.

I hope to develop another roll soon (Ilford SFX 200), and I can report back if it's any help.

 

[mshchem]

When Jobo USA was in Ann Arbor Michigan, same vicinity as Dexter Michigan, pretty sure some of the Jobo USA branded products, like the powder "Press Kit" for C-41 were made by PSI.

 

[Steven Lee]

PSI has been making photochemistry for over 50 years

... and Xtol has been the king of reliable and dependable B&W developers for almost as long, regardless of the manufacturer. People need to spend less time on the Internet. Because it's the Internet where all "bad batches" of Xtol have been getting shipped to, so avoiding Xtol problems is very easy.

 

[mshchem]

... and Xtol has been the king of reliable and dependable B&W developers for almost as long, regardless of the manufacturer. People need to spend less time on the Internet. Because it's the Internet where all "bad batches" of Xtol have been getting shipped to, so avoiding Xtol problems is very easy.

Yes, I use pure water and full storage bottles, through all the problems never had an issue. I know that there were packages that were suspect, not doubting that.

 

[retina_restoration]

... and Xtol has been the king of reliable and dependable B&W developers for almost as long, regardless of the manufacturer. People need to spend less time on the Internet.

That's simply not true. As I stated, I bought bad Sino Promise chemistry several years ago and that sh*tty Xtol ruined several rolls of film. It was made fresh using distilled water, and yet it underdeveloped the negs so badly they were unusable. So please don't suggest that there were no bad batches from one of the manufacturers, since I experienced it myself. Not everything you find on the Web is manufactured conspiratorial nonsense.

PS: you didn't answer my original question.

@retina_restoration, I bought a 5 liter pkg of Kodak Xtol from B&H in October of 2024, and the packaging indicated "made in USA by Photo Systems, Inc." I mixed the kit with grocery store distilled water in November 2024.

So far, I have used that batch of Xtol to develop only one roll of film (it was a rough winter for my family):
Ilford Delta 3200 in 120 <https://garywright.smugmug.com/Photography/Ilford-Delta-3200-120-Nov-2024>

Thank you for that, Gary. I appreciate your report - I knew there had to be someone here that was using the PSI-made Xtol.

I have (am using) PSI made XTOL, works fine. The problem stuff was from Sino Promise. Current batches (not old stock) available from B&H, Cinestill should be exactly the same as Kodak way back when. If you want the original HC-110 you'll need a time machine, Adox claims to be making the (OG) HC-110 syrup, we shall see.

Thank you for weighing in. Glad to hear the PSI Xtol is up to snuff. I don't use HC-110 - never have.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

When XTOL works it's a good developer.
That said I have had enough issues using it, most recently with Tri X, to become suspect of it's reliability.

Meanwhile I have a fresh brew of ID11 standing by.

 

[mshchem]

The DARK BROWN Dektol batch that slipped out was terrible to see. I didn't experience it in person, and I know it worked by egads!