Re: [Leica] tech pan notes

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

Most of the problems people encounter with Tech Pan have do to with over 
development.  The suggested development times that come with the film are 
generally too long.  I reduce development in Technidol from 9 to 8 minutes 
and have not have a problem with contrast.

The films sensitivity to uneven development is dramatic, so you better shoot 
more than one frame if you want to guarantee a keeper.

As for the enlarger I can only say that this film when processed properly 
exceeds the resolution of pretty much any camera or enlarger/ lens combo on 
the consumer market.  Even when you use the best camera, on a tripod, with 
the finest enlarger/lens, you will probably not exceed the resolution 
capabilities of the film.

The effort to expose and process this film successfully would probably be 
better spent perfecting our technique with 100 speed films like Delta 100.

Processed and exposed properly this and other 100 speed films are free of 
problematic grain up to 8x12.  The resolution is high enough to need a 
tripod to get the most out of it also...yet the speed is fast enough to hand 
hold for us humans who don't want to take a tripod on vacation:)

Indeed even some old standbys are rarely processed to their maximum!

I see few shots that really maximize Tri-X...So I guess it isn't just a film 
for slobs like myself after all:)

Processed properly you should not see much difference between Tri-x and 100 
speed films from 5x7" print size on down.  Despite this many Tri-x shots I 
see on the net and in print are grainy and thick.  These are over 
developed....(I am certainly guilty of my share of these errors)

Best Wishes
Dan States



>
>While people are discussing tech pan, I think it should be noted that in my
>experience, Tech pan is a film that requires the utmost care in exposing 
>and
>developing without question.
>
>I used some with my Nikon F3 and my 55mm f2.8 AIS micro nikkor several 
>years
>ago,  I ended up enlarging the photograph on my Leitz focomat V35.  I do 
>not
>believe there is an enlarger out there other than the Leica which can
>properly focus the print to maximize the definition of this film.  The
>images I made were enlarged to 11X14 and 16X20 and it was breathtaking.   
>My
>only and only complaint is the relatively high contrast of the film, even
>when processed in the suggested chemistry for pictorial use.
>
>If you have dirt in your camera it will show, if you have not used 
>distilled
>water in processing it will show.  If you get mirror slap it will show etc.
>There is no forgiveness of any kind with this emulsion.  You have to be
>twice the technician you think you are in order to make superb images from
>it.
>
>gck
>

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