Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]HC 110 is somewhat sensitive to temperature. Using dilution (B) the times are rather short - around 5m for Tri-X. I use dilution (H) with gentle agitation - lots more leeway time wise. Also, I'm much more cautious about temperature changes during development, and I find my negs have gotten more consistent. Once I stuck a thermometer in the tank between agitations, I was very surprised how much the temperature could change (this was in a hot Wash, DC summer, and the kitchen is probably the warmest room in my apt.) Scott Jeffery Smith wrote: >You are in exactly the same situation that I was in several years ago. I >tried XTOL (1:1) many times as it seemed to be the hands-down favorite >among B&W shooters. I couldn't get good, scannable negatives. I tried >Paterson's FX50 (another ascorbic acid developer) and got negs so thin, >they were unusable. I ordered some Bluefire Police film two weeks ago, and >it arrived completely demolished by the USPS (like someone stomped on the >envelope with combat boots). However, I got better luck with HC110, but >still the negs seemed too gritty and contrasty. The best luck I've gotten >so far (to the point that I'm going to stick with it) is divided D-76. It >is virtually impossible to underdevelop or overdevelop with it, and >temperature isn't much of an issue as long as it is reasonable. Times are >pretty lax too. I'm not a total incompetent; my problem is a 80-ish year >old mother in law who is persistently underfoot and getting in the way. > >D-23 is also good for Tri-X, and it is very simple (two chemicals). If you >have a place that sells photographic chemicals, buy a bottle of Metol >(Elon) and a bottle of sodium sulfite, and try D-23 or even divided D-23. >Take a look here on how to do it: > >http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/DD-23/dd-23.html > >You won't waste developer and won't have to worry about it spoiling if you >make it up as you need it and use it all up that day! Mark Rabiner has >indicated that the amounts of Metol and sulfite used for D-23 can be >measured with measuring spoons. Pretty flexible stuff, and it tames both >contrast and grain pretty well. > >Jeffery > > > > >>From: Simon PJ <simonpj@mac.com> >>Date: 2006/01/27 Fri PM 12:45:16 EST> 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. >> >> >> >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Leica Users Group. >>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> > > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > -- Pics @ http://www.adrenaline.com/snaps Leica M6TTL, Bessa R, Nikon FM3a, Nikon D70, Rollei AFM35 (Jihad Sigint NSA FBI Patriot Act)