Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 1/1/00 3:37:41 AM, Bernard trolled: << And I use Delta. Tri-X is a nice film to hide one's incompetence at exposing the film correctly. And then it hides one's inability at correctly processing the film. If one would be capable of work within tighter tolerances, one could and should use some more modern emulsions. TriX is a joke on medium format, and on 35mm....... well, when I'm in a mucho-grainy mood, I might think it's fun. I guess that depends on your process. The way I Rodinal-process T-max, Tri-X and Neopan requires the same time and temperature, and all of the films work well from 1/2 stop under to 3 stops over, with no change in density. And you can print from 2 under to 4 over. Even within this range, Neopan 400 and Tri-X are the most robust films. T-Max has changes in shadow density as the EI drops. And I don't see much difference in grain. Using D76 or HC110 I have noted that the results are different, with far less latitude. << But it beats me how people can go out to a "serious shoot", and load their cameras with TX. Perhaps living without auto exposure forces the less adept among us to resort to the easy way out with tolerant, yet inferior film: it takes a little time to get the red dot to light up..... Which is more time than one often haves. I'm not convinced that a centerweighted meter not calibrated for b/w film sensitivity and lacking both exposure lock and an easy compensation dial is very conducive to "precision" photography. A TTL meter might be better than nothing, but it is not a substitute for a Zone VI spotmeter. Tri-X, developed in normal processes, allows you to dispense with most fiddling around and lets you compose and shoot. Remember, any film, T-Max and Delta included, can be shot at 2 over or 2 under and made into a nice print. Obviously you are a hack because you don't use Tech Pan. It's clearly superior to all other films, and it requires a lot more precision in shooting and development. If that's too hard, try some Verichrome Pan. In my experience, that needs a bit more precision than the newer films.