Hey all, do any of you shoot Kodak 400 TMAX film? There are a ton of developers out there and I usually use HC110 Dilution B for my 8x10 and 120 film. I was wondering which developers have the finest grain for this particular film.
Hey all, do any of you shoot Kodak 400 TMAX film? There are a ton of developers out there and I usually use HC110 Dilution B for my 8x10 and 120 film. I was wondering which developers have the finest grain for this particular film.
This is a film which works well with quite a number of developers. Yes, HC110 is good,
or you could also try TMaxRS for a somewhat straighter line performance. I personally
like PMK pyro in trays; but there are all kinds of excellent competing pyro forumlas by
which to "hotrod" the performance of this particular film. I shoot it in everything from
35mm to 8x10.
Unless you're game to mix your own from bulk, I'd recommend replenished Xtol for the best all-around mix of image qualities.
You will get the usual gamut of responses here. Having read many of these threads, I would say that the most common responses are some version of pyro, Xtol, or TMAX RS. There are many variables of course but I would say those are the three emost common developers people use. I use Xtol.
Does it mater whether the OP is enlarging optically or scanning? Or is the difference just a matter of changing developing times?
--Darin
Darin,
I replied based on his specification of finest grain. Grain will always be finer with less development, all things being equal.
Certainly from a grain size standpoint, HC-110 would NOT be the best choice; common
D76 would give better results in this respect or TMRS. I've never tried XTOL.
In my experience, Xtol will give finer grain than the other options mentioned. It also gives good film speed and sharpness. You can get finer grain, such as with microdol x, but you will always give something else up, such as film speed, accutance...
Pyrocat HD (and it's varients) will give slightly larger grain than Xtol or D76, but their stain leads to even higher resolution.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
Peter,
The enhanced resolution is not due to stain, but tanning. Otherwise, I agree with your post above.
I'll be the odd guy out and say that I like it in straight D76. FRESH D76, mind you! Tmax films don't like D76 which has sat around and oxidized for a while, even a few days.
I mix D76 a gallon at a time, then decant into four 1 quart containers, filled to the brim and tightly capped. It'll keep for months that way.
Mike
Politically, aerodynamically, and fashionably incorrect.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks