Response to Any opinions about XTOL?

D-76 was a great developer in the '50's, but the only reason it's still around today is that manufacturers use it as a 'standard' developer to test their films. Because it has a tendency to block hightlights and generally over develop new tabular grain films, there is no good reason to use it today. In my experience, PMK is the best overall film developer available today, but some timid types may be frightened by its toxicity. Xtol is the next best developer to PMK and is extremely safe and easy to mix. It produces full film speed and excellent shadow detail. When diluted 1:1 or greater, the solvent action is reduced or eliminated. This is the very best film developer for someone starting out in the darkroom.

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