Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/04/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>> I'm most interested in what exactly were the differences you saw on the > prints. I'm right now trying to settle on one 400 b+w film - having always > believed that using one only and knowing exactly its qualities and > limitations avoids later disappointment.<<< Hi Seth, I think some of the effect are nicer looking. I know that's a hell of a way to describe a print, but the Tri-x has what appears a better tonality to them in the EXTOL developer as well as finer looking grain. If any!!! The prints look smooth across the complete frame and I'm talking 11X14 full frame prints and if not, a slight cropping of what would be a larger size print.. Actually, as of today's printing I've dismissed going back to Tmax 400 and Tmax developer and will stick with the Tri-X and EXTOL. I mean these are coming up beautifully with such a wide range of tones under severe lighting contrasts it's quite amazing. And I do not re-call a similar look from the previous Osler book shot on Tmax that was published in coffee table size. I'll make another point as I've used the APO 2.8 100 for the first time under the OR situation and combined with how that lens cuts with the Tri-x and EXTOL the subjects are so incredibly sharp I can't believe how they look. I mean this is mega Leica look! And some of the other situations on the table, I mean when the surgeons are "working on the subject" ;-) and I'm shooting wide open with the Noctilux or the 100mm is so visually separating one plane of sharp focus to the complete out of focus, the doctor or her hands jumps right off the print page. Another thing that had me give Tri-x another try after so many years was when Sandy and I were printing some 45 year old negs shot on Tri-x and developed in D23, it was the first time some of these negatives were ever enlarged and they had such a wonderful look to the prints I thought I'd have a go and see what the Tri-x of today's emulsion with EXTOL would look like. And quite frankly at the moment I see no reason to go back to Tmax-400 with the results we've obtained with the Tri-x and EXTOL. I trust this helps with your situation. ted Ted Grant Photography Limited www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html