New TMax400-2 and FP4+

[Dakotah Jackson]

I regularly use Ilford FP4+ and am happy with it. Have been using Delta 400 sheet film and have now finally finished up the freezer stock of it. How does the new TMax400-2 film look in comparison to FP4+? Does it work well in Pyrocat HD film developer? Am interested mainly due to reciprocity characteristics which I used to love in TMax100... but stopped using because of the UB blocking layer after I started doing more Alt process printing.

If I do get a box or three of the TMax400-2 in 8x10, what differences will be apparent when looking at a clean contact print?

[steve simmons]

These are really different films IMHO. FP4+ is really an 80-100 EI film and T-Max 400 is well, 320-400. Their grain structure is different, their development fussiness is different, and they have a different tonality..If you need the speed use T-Max 400, if not, I would use the FP4+.

steve simmons

[Dakotah Jackson]

Steve, I understand they are quite different. But, I used FP4+ and Delta 400 in 8x10 and they complemented each other well. Sadly, Ilford no longer makes Delta 400 in 8x10 size so the consideration of the new TMax400-2 question.

While we are on it, how does the new TMax take to Pyrocat HD Developer?

[sanking]

Steve, I understand they are quite different. But, I used FP4+ and Delta 400 in 8x10 and they complemented each other well. Sadly, Ilford no longer makes Delta 400 in 8x10 size so the consideration of the new TMax400-2 question.

While we are on it, how does the new TMax take to Pyrocat HD Developer?

I think you will find T-MAX 400 to be an excellent replacement for Delta 400.

T-MAX 400 does quite nicely in Pyrocat-HD. The new version of the film has very similar characteristics to the old version when processed in this developer. You will get good stain, a nice tight grain pattern and excellent sharpness, especially if you use minimal agitation procedures.

The new T-MAX 400 has finer grain and is sharper than the old version, but for contact printing you probably will not see much difference.

Sandy

[Dakotah Jackson]

Thanks Sandy,

One thing I found a number of years back in using Tmax 100 was that the shadows under bushes and around buildings with a blue sky were quite variable. Kodak told me this was due to the 'red sensitivity' and the amount of blue light in the shadows.

Will I find this with the Tmax 400-2 as well? I really like the FP4+ with its dependable exposure in the shadow areas and would use the Delta 400 when I needed some extra speed and it didn't block up in the shadows. That is a concern.

I do use and like your developer and choosing a film to use is partly based on whether it works with Pyrocat HD. If not, I won't use it as it just complicates darkroom life.

[sanking]

Thanks Sandy,

One thing I found a number of years back in using Tmax 100 was that the shadows under bushes and around buildings with a blue sky were quite variable. Kodak told me this was due to the 'red sensitivity' and the amount of blue light in the shadows.

Will I find this with the Tmax 400-2 as well? I really like the FP4+ with its dependable exposure in the shadow areas and would use the Delta 400 when I needed some extra speed and it didn't block up in the shadows. That is a concern.

I do use and like your developer and choosing a film to use is partly based on whether it works with Pyrocat HD. If not, I won't use it as it just complicates darkroom life.

Dakotah,

The new T-MAX 400 has a similar spectral response to the old version, i.e. the blue sensitivity is slightly less than that of other panchromatic films, which means that the blues in shadow value areas may be recorded darker. This is supposed to be a more normal rendition, according to Kodak, but if you don't like it consider using a yellow or orange filter to open up the shadows.

Sandy King

[Capocheny]

Hi Sandy,

I realize it's necessary to perform individualized EI tests but I was wondering if the new T-Max 400's speed is even remotely close to their stated speed from your experience thus far.

With the older version... I alway shot it at ASA 240. :)

Thanks

Cheers

[sanking]

Hi Sandy,

I realize it's necessary to perform individualized EI tests but I was wondering if the new T-Max 400's speed is even remotely close to their stated speed from your experience thus far.

With the older version... I alway shot it at ASA 240. :)

Thanks

Cheers

I have not found much difference in effective film speed between the new and old versions of T-MAX 400 so if an EI of 240 has given good results for you with the old film I would recommend keeping the same value for the new version.

Sandy King

[Tyler Boley]

anyone find this out there in 8x10? Calumet just old me there is no Kodak cat. number and so not made. I thought it was out there somewhere...
Can't wait for this 5x7 to come along, want to cut down some 8x10 and get back to work.
Thanks,
Tyler

[Jan Pedersen]

Tyler, Badger Graphics had 8x10 TMY2 a month or two ago, might want to check there.


Looks like it is in stock

[Robert A. Zeichner]

Dakotah,

The new T-MAX 400 has a similar spectral response to the old version, i.e. the blue sensitivity is slightly less than that of other panchromatic films, which means that the blues in shadow value areas may be recorded darker. This is supposed to be a more normal rendition, according to Kodak, but if you don't like it consider using a yellow or orange filter to open up the shadows.

Sandy King

Okay, I'm confused. If the blues in shadow value areas may be recorded darker, how would using a yellow or orange filter (which would trap yet more of the blue light) result in opening up the shadow areas. If by opening up, you mean rendering more shadow detail, wouldn't a yellow or orange filter do the opposite?

[Tyler Boley]

Tyler, Badger Graphics had 8x10 TMY2 a month or two ago, might want to check there.


Looks like it is in stock

thanks, got some!
Tyler

[sanking]

Okay, I'm confused. If the blues in shadow value areas may be recorded darker, how would using a yellow or orange filter (which would trap yet more of the blue light) result in opening up the shadow areas. If by opening up, you mean rendering more shadow detail, wouldn't a yellow or orange filter do the opposite?

The use of a yellow filter will give more contrast in the shadow values. This is what I meant by the term "opening up" the shadows.

Sandy King

[Capocheny]

I have not found much difference in effective film speed between the new and old versions of T-MAX 400 so if an EI of 240 has given good results for you with the old film I would recommend keeping the same value for the new version.

Sandy King

Hi Sandy,

Thank you for the info... just what I wanted to hear. :)

Cheers