I want to order some Kodak T-Max 400 film in 5x7 sheets. Kodak will cut any of their films to any size with a minimum order (I believe it is 3,000 sheets). Is anybody out there interested in getting in on this order with me?
I want 1,000 sheets for myself. I believe it comes in 100-sheet boxes. B&H will probably give us a discounted price. I did an order like this in 2002 and it worked out fine. About five people participated.
Kodak has recently re-vamped T-MAX 400, improving its grain and sharpness. According to John Sexton, who has tested the new film extensively, it is identical to the old version in every other way. He is very impressed with the improvement in grain and says that the enlargement quality is now very, very close to that of T-MAX 100.
I favor this film over any other B&W emulsion for my 5x7 work because I shoot a lot of portraits and interiors. For the portraits I need a faster shutter speed and also appreciate that fact that the grain is much finer than Tri-X. For interiors, however, it is really indispensable because of its much lower reciprocity failure compared to old-style BW films. I am able to capture low-light interiors with 15-20 minute exposures that would not be practical with Tri-X, due to the reciprocity compensation required. The same goes for nocturnal exteriors.
For examples of what I am talking about, see my website: www.joelpickford.com and look especially at the Le Monde Creole project.
If you are interested in getting some of this special order 5x7 film, please email me: joelpickford@yahoo.com
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