T-Max 400 film processing tip

[Anausagi]

I'm thinking to start using T-Max 400 film(8x10) for my next project, and I have to make some exposure and Dev. time tests now. Can anyone give me starting point for the tests(EI and Dev. time)?? I use T-Max RS dev. (Diluted 1:9@75F) with JOBO CPA-2 rotary processor and the light source of enlarger is Aristo cold head(cyan--color). Thanks in advance. Ric

[Pat Kearns]

Ric - you will get a lot responses on Tmax, some people like it others hate it. I'll be the first to offer some information on EI and developing based on my experience. EI for Tmax 400 & Tmax 100 is 250 & 80 respectively. Developer: Tmax RS with a dilution of 1:9 for 11 minutes at 75 degrees. Rapid Fixer rather than standard fixer. Tmax exhausts fixer quickly and if you get a magenta cast after fixing increase your fixing time. I read an interview of John Sexton and he uses a JOBO with the above formulas. I figured if it works for Sexton then I would give it a try and have pleased with the results. Good luck. Pat.

[Jeff White]

John Sexton's current starting recommendatin for T-Max 400 in a JOBO with T-Max RS 1:9 at 75 degrees is EI 320 for 7.75 minutes and rotation setting on 3 1/2. John's figures are for 4x5 but I assume they translate to 8x10.

[Marcus J. Wilson]

Once upon a time (1988) I was given some film in yellow boxes with T- Max 100, 400 and 3200 on them. The roll films were both 120 and 35mm. the pack was 25 sheets of 4X5. I was told to process them in a rotary processor, preferably a beseler or jobo. There was no T-Max RS developer back then. Just T-Max developer. I too, had an Aristo cold head. The one thing I remember is that T-Max film does real well in a rotary processor with constant agitation. However, it kills the developer and fixer on the first shot. You can develop other film with it but I wouldn't recommend it. The Kodak Darkroom Guide is a good starting point, but for critical work try finding the Kodak T-Max bulletin. These used to be given out by Kodak at larger camera stores and you could write to Kodak for them (they were free then). Ilford has some new developers that work with T-Max and their Delta brand of films (T-Max equivalents). Check out their website, www.ilford.com