Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/09/27
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>Ted
>
>I'm a LONG time user of Ilford's XP emulsions. Can you compare your
>experience with T400CN with that on XP1 or XP2?
>
>Marc
I've used XP2 and am a recent T400CN convert. My XP2 experience was limited
(1 or 2 rolls), but T400CN is obviously finer grained (indistiguishable
from TMAX 100) and delivers smoother tonal variations and richer blacks
than I found in XP2. I encourage you to try a roll at ISO 200.
The subject of true speed for T400CN has come up a couple of times. I
performed a standard Zone System test of it's speed point (Zone 1 = 0.1
over base level + fog) using my photo lab's calibrated X-Rite transmission
densitometer and their standard Kodak C-41 processing. This processing
should be consistent from lab to lab (if they are at all competent). The
true speed was almost dead on ISO 200.
It's very important to realize, however, that the response of T400CN to
variation in exposure is very different than for a conventional B+W film.
Exposing at ISO 200 as opposed to 400 doesn't require an adjustment in
processing. I asked for N-1 processing on my first roll exp. at ISO 200 and
got flat negatives (small density range). My last roll at ISO 200 developed
normally came back with excellent density range: easy to print on grade 2
or 3 with my condenser enlarger.
Kodak states that exposing at ISO 50 to 800 is possible and requires *no
adjustment* to processing time. A push to ISO 1600 requires increased
development (+20% I think).
I haven't tried the film at anything aside from 200 and 400. I suspect,
however, that Kodak has done an accurate job of describing he behavior of
this unique emulsion in their literature and that it will perform very well
when handled according to their recommendations. Their tech sheet on T400CN
can be found at
http://www.kodak.com/ppiHome/technicalPubs/ePubs/f2350
It's a remarkable film. Give it a try.
- -Charlie
- --------------------------------------------
Charles E. Dunlap
Earth Sciences Deptartment
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Tel.: (408) 459-5228 Fax.: (408) 459-3074
http://emerald.ucsc.edu/~cdunlap
mailto:cdunlap@rupture.ucsc.edu
- --------------------------------------------