Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/01/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> I am interested in Tmax, because it promises to offer less grain than TriX. > I find the grain in TriX objectionable when I need to print on 8x10. > Chris, Tri-x and Rodinal make for wonderful tonality and all the grain you can eat. If you like the look of Rodinal/TX but want to manage the grain, try this: Dump a film can full of sodium sulphite into a liter of water and mix well. Dilute your Rodinal in this instead of plain water. The sodium sulphite will tame the grain. It will also accelerate your developing times. Try a 10% reduction in time to start. As a point of clarification (for anyone who might assume Rodinal is a "grainy" developer), Rodinal is a "high-acutance" developer. That means it does little or nothing a film's inherent grain structure. "Fine-grain" developers don't cause fine-grain, they nibble at the edges of the grain (or the clumps of grain), eliminiating the sharp edges that define the grain. Rodinal is best suited for medium and slow speed films like TMX, Agfapan 100, Agfapan 25, etc. If it's beautiful grain you want, try TMZ at E.I. 1200 in 1:50 Rodinal (no sulfite!) for about 11 minutes at 68F. Beautiful stuff with the right light and subject. Oh, if you haven't tried it, pick up some of Kodak's new Xtol developer. D-76's out of my darkroom and Rodinal is begging for a second chance. Roger