Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/07

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Subject: Re: Film suggestions for dark party?
From: Eric Welch <ewelch@ponyexpress.net>
Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 08:42:46 -0500

At 03:15 AM 10/7/97 +0100, you wrote:
>1600 or TMax 3200 and rate it at whatever is needed at the time, and develop
>it in Xtol, but I don't feel at all confident with this idea because I've
>never used either of of those combinations. In fact I haven't rated any b&w
>film that high for a long time. Any recommendations, anyone?

Joe,

I'd go with P3200. Shot anywhere between 400 and 6400 I've gotten great
results. (Though 400 is a bit tricky, only to be done when you expose it
wrong!).

I've always used TMax developer with it, because that's what it's optimized
for when pushing. But Xtol seems to be popular too. 

The main thing is to make sure you don't underexpose it. That's when grain
gets big. And using a higher temperature reduces wet time which exaggerates
grain too. My preference is for 85 degrees. And use stop bath, not a water
bath. That hardens the film a bit to keep grain from getting mushy. 

=============
Eric Welch
St. Joseph, MO


Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.