TMAX or the New TRI-X

[L.V. Smith]

Many people talk about "fresh D-76". Mr. Sexton mentions it in his excellent article. Mr. Grant Haist spoke of D-76 and D76H in the above mentioned book. Apparently D-76 has a change in the PH after sitting for awhile and can change your processing. His D76H, which is lacking the Hydroquione, does not change in PH, and reportablely is a more stable developer. It is also very, very cheap. As a suggestion, order the appropriate chemicals from a company that sells photographic chemicals and try it. I think you will be pleased with the results.

[Mike H.]

Ken Miller: Thanks for the link. Just printed it out and will read it this morning.

[Tom Johnston]

I have used TMAX100 since it was first brought to market. I also tried TMAX400 but I simply didn't like it. My two primary sheet films are TMAX100 and TRI-X.

I have always been a bit bewildered by all this talk of how touchy TMAX film is. (I am speaking of TMAX100 here). Contrary to all the talk about its touchiness, I have found the exact opposite to be true!

I process in trays with HC110-B. My N+1 times are nearly double my N times! You read that right! Forget about N+2! In fact, I have found TMAX100 to be incredibly NON-responsive to development times in HC110-B. In that developer, TRI-X is much more responsive than TMAX100. All my calibration testing confirmed this when I first tested the film and my results have been consistent with those test results ever since. It was really strange and I couldn't understand why this was happening especially considering all the horror stories that were floating around about how touchy it was supposed to be . Then I posted a question about what I was experiencing on a website (years ago) and received several responses. I also talked to someone at Kodak about this. I don't remember exactly what they said but it had something to do with how TMAX100 reacted in HC110 in particular. All sources confirmed that TMAX100 should not be very responsive to HC110. The explanation had something to do with the particular chemical makeup of HC110 and, if I remember correctly, it's compensating characteristics. You may be able to find a thread on this that I started - probably on photo.net, but it was years ago. I was relieved to see that other photographers had the same experience with TMAX100 in HC110-B.

In HC110-B, expanded development is very difficult to achieve past N+1 without increasing developer temperature. Ironically, when I need strong expanded development, I use TRI-X. I did test TMAX100 in several developers when it first came out and I still have that data and the plotted curves. I will run new tests when I run out of the old emulsions and test the new stuff.

That said, TMAX100 is my first choice in sheet film. I rate it at E.I. 64 based on the standard Zone I density of .10 du over b+f. I find it to be very easy to work with and capable of producing outstanding results. For contracted development I often dilute HC110 or use SLIMT presoaks (David Kachel).

I actually wish that TMAX100 was MORE responsive to development times - at least in my standard developer, HC110. I actually find it amusing when I read all the warnings about how touchy this film is. The darn stuff is downright stubborn in HC110-B!

Another thing that I really like about it is it's reciprocity characteristics. As you know, at some point in exposure times, TMAX100 becomes faster than TRI-X. This makes life easier. And this is a very real benefit and not something that comes into play only rarely. On the other hand, when I really do need a faster shutter speed (subject movement, etc.), I turn to TRI-X or HP5+. I would say that I use TMAX100 for approximately 90-95% of my work and TRI-X or HP5+ for the rest. My only complaint is that it is NON-responsive in my standard developer.

I would not be intimidated by the reports that TMAX100 is touchy. Give it a try and judge for yourself. Of course, it may very well be touchy in other developers but I occasionally develop 35 and roll film TMAX100 in D76, TMAX developer, Rodinol, etc., and I have not had any problems at all. It's my favorite b&w film. I'm going to dig out my test results tomorrow and see how the film responded in the various developers that I tested it in when it first came out. Luckily, I saved all that data.

I believe that John Sexton developed TMAX100 in HC110-B when the film was first introduced and his results speak for themselves.

I do not remember why I did not like TMAX400 when it first came out but I was not impressed by it. However, I have known other photographers who swear by it and, to be fair, I only tested in in 35mm and roll film formats. I like the traditional films in this speed class better.