[Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup

[jdos2 at mindspring.com (jdos2@mindspring.com)]

I've a very similar configuration all the way around.

I like Diafine for development. Buy it once and forget. 
Mix fixer every two months. Take care of it, and it'll be okay longer than 
that.

Shoot at 1,200-1,600. Scan as soon as the negatives dry. I have to battle 
cat-hair, so I frequently will take the film to dry in the basement (with a 
dehumidifier). 

Curse stainless steel rolls, but use 'em if you are in a hurry. Otherwise, 
dark closet is fine (since I usually develop in the evening)

This combo has scanned well for me, with the Minolta. Makes "Nice looking" 
and not terribly grainy pictures- just visible grain at the level of the 
scanner resolution.

JD



-----Original Message-----
>From: Simon PJ <simonpj@mac.com>
>Sent: Jan 27, 2006 12:45 PM
>To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
>Subject: [Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup
>
>I haven't developed black and white at home for over fifteen years, but
>would like to start again with TRI-X, and make sure that I make the most of
>whatever remains of the age of film!
>
>I know there is a huge fund of TRI-X wisdom on the LUG, and would be
>grateful for advice on the practicalities of getting set up. I'm thinking
>not just of best developer for grain etc., but also such things as
>shelf-life of chemicals for the my modest amount of shooting (e.g., should I
>buy in small or large volumes?).
>
>Factors to take into account:
>
>-- 1 to 4 rolls a week, with spikes up to 10 rolls a week about every other
>month.
>
>-- predominantly indoor available light shooting of people in
>home/social/work situations: so 320/400 ISO and some pushing to 800 (maybe
>1600)
>
>-- to be scanned by Minolta Dimage 5400 Elite
>
>I think this is probably a pretty common shooting profile amongst LUG
>members.
>
>I'd be very grateful for any advice on chemicals for a practical set-up
>taking into consideration the above factors, and a low level of skill and
>experience with b&w development.
>
>And if anybody thinks TRI-X is the wrong way to go, please suggest
>alternatives! 
>
>TIA,
>
>Simon, Cambridge UK.
>
>
>
>
>
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