320TXP in DD-X

[valdez]

I was wondering how 320TXP (120 format) responds to various developers - specifically DD-X. Does "the look" vary significantly with different developers (e.g. D-76 vs. DD-X)? Also, do any of you use this film as an all-purpose (primarily outdoor) fim?

 

[Deckled Edge]

Tri-X has been my mainstay outdoor film since the discontinuation of Super XX. I am only recently learning to love TXP 320, and I use it in sheets, not rolls. It has good latitude and, since I use it in large format, grain is not an issue. For roll film I am sure you will want to use the finest grain developer and the highest acutance you can secure. I'm certain that you will get many answers that urge Pyrocat HD or a pyrogallol developer to accomplish those ends. Availability is not an issue, and the price is right. Go for it.

 

[mobtown_4x5]

I have had excellent results with this combo.

Tri-X in 4X5 sheets is my favorite film to date, and I was getting good results with a D76 1:1 clone, but the sheets developed in DD-X at the recommended 1:4 dilution seem to have sharper edges to my eye.

However Ilford does advocate one-shot use, and my experience is that it will begin to show signs of exaustion at approx. the predicted capacity (unlike some other developer capacity statements that I have found to be conservative). I let 24 sheets (I have a habit of working in groups of 12 because I sometimes use a daylight tank) go through 1 liter before tossing it out, but I wouldn't push it any further that that.


I was exposing at ASA 200 and tray-developing with constant shuffle for 6 min. (Yes, I can usually successfully shuffle 12 at a time in trays )


This combo has yielded some of my best negs to date, but as they say around here... "your mileage may vary" !

Matt