RE: [Leica] B&W film: Ilford vs. TMax

["Tim Atherton" <timphoto@nt.sympatico.ca>]

My only problem with this is that Tina seems to manage to get
excellent/amazing results with TMAX (in xtol I think). Maybe she is just
better in the darkroom...!!

Tim A

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of
> RBedw51767@aol.com
> Sent: October 10, 1999 1:17 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] B&W film: Ilford vs. TMax
>
>
> Tim:
>
> I concur with your results completely.  I have never been able to get
> satisfactory results with TMax/TMax developer.  I use at least 25
> rolls of
> Delta each month and around 20% is Delta 100, 30% Delta 400 and 50% Delta
> 3200 exposed at ISO 1250.   All is developed in Xtol.   I gave
> Ilford's new
> DDX a test on about a dozen rolls but was not pleased.  However, it did
> maintain Delta 3200's speed better than Xtol but at the expense
> of courser
> grain structure.
>
>
> Bob Bedwell
>
>
>
> << Not exactly a rigorous test, but I shot a lot of B&W in Central America
>  earlier this year. I shot both T Max 400 and Delta 400 (don't ask why the
>  mix - deals on film!).
>
>  Most was shot at 800. Developed in Xtol. And working with the negs, both
>  traditionally, in the darkroom and digitally, the Ilford beats
> the pants off
>  the Kodak. Now some people may say I should have used T Max developer for
>  the TMax. But I have never found it that great (actually, D76 is
> supposed to
>  be one of the best for TMax). But comparing other negs that were
> developed
>  with this, the Ilford still wins.
>
>  Overall, slightly sharper, better contrast and just an overall better
>  looking image.
>
>  As I say, not a scientific test, but for me, one that counts -
> in the end,
>  which image looks better. For me, with this work, it is the Ilford.
>
>  Tim A >>
>