Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Eric: I'm not exactly sure what you mean by burning down the highlights in the darkroom. I assume you are referring to overdeveloping and losing detail in the highlights. I can tell you that I am fanatical about maintaining the precise temperature of all chemicals throughout the development process. I use the Kodak Glass Color Thermometer for temperature. Once the temperature of the water is stabilized all liquids are placed inside stainless steel cups and water is circulated around the containers for constant temperature. After each agitation the film tank is returned to the controlled water until next agitation. My usual problem with all negative development is too much contrast. As a result of the testing of many rolls of Delta films I finally got it under control. I am now getting consistent well-exposed negatives My general problem with Tmax was contrast and clumpy unattractive grain. One of the things that I never did was develop Tmax at 75 degrees as you stated in your note. I assume that are referring to Tmax developer in the last three sentences of you second paragraph? From a previous recommendation I have ordered Press Maxx developer but haven't received it yet. Thanks for your input. You have always been a patient pundit! Bob Bedwell << At 05:54 AM 2/16/99 -0500, you wrote: >I love to hear about the film/developer combinations that work for other >LUGGERS. Unfortunately, Tmax has made it very difficult for me to consider >Kodaks products. Perhaps I am not handling it properly. TMax film is different than other modern black and white films. It was specifically designed to be sensitive to development, agitation and temperature. You have to be very precise with development or you will blow out the highlights. I'll bet your problem with it is burning down the highlights in the darkroom. Right? I had that problem at first for two reasons. I had gotten used to Tri-X in HC-110 dil. B which is very soft. Then I tried TMax 400 (before it was on the market) with HC-100. No good. So I tried TMax developer which was also in the testing phase, and D-76. At the recommended times, I still got very hot highlights. Then I remembered reading Ansel Adams' books and started adjusting development. I ended up reducing development by 30 seconds at 75 degree (which is the temperature that TMax was optimized for) to 5.5 minutes instead of 6 as Kodak recommends. In high contrast for TMax 400 I use 4.5 minutes at EI 200. Absolutely gorgeous highlights and wide open shadows. And invisible grain! Well, practically at 8x10 it's invisible. Agitation is critical to no overdo. And keep all fluids at within 5 degrees (even wash and photoflo). With that, you can et absolutely stunning images from TMax. As for developer, with TMax 100 and 400, you can't beat Press Maxx developer - made by Unicolor. It gives Tri-X tonality with TMax grain. But it's horrible with TMax P3200. Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch Is reading in the bathroom considered Multi-Tasking? >>