Alternatives to TMax Developer

mawz

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Jul 22, 2005
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Toronto, ON
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35mm
I'm currently using TMax Dev 1:4 for pushing HP5+ and 400TX, but with my film use increasing I'm looking for ways to cut costs and TMax Dev is quite expensive.

Are there any alternatives that produce similar results for a 2-3 stop push with HP5+ and 400TX? Preferably ones that relatively easy to get (stocked locally or easy shipping to Canada).
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Jan 21, 2003
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TMax yields amazing shadow detail, and it is possibly the best in that regard.

Two other developers that yield almost as much shadow detail is Kodak Xtol and Ilford Ilfotec DD-X. Xtol is by far the most economical.

You may also wish to look into using Diafine with Tri-X 400, but you'll be limited to shooting at EI 1,000-1,600, which is its normal speed. No pushing available due to it being a two bath developer.

Ilford Microphen might be another option for you.

- Thomas
 

pgomena

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Jun 25, 2003
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Portland, Or
Some folks dilute T-max developer 1:7 instead of 1:4. Your times will increase, of course. Another speed-increasing developer is Photographer's Formulary TFX-2. It is not cheaper than T-max, however, and does not keep forever on the shelf. It gives amazingly sharp negatives with 3-minute intervals between agitation cycles.

Peter Gomena
 

mts

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Feb 12, 2004
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You can also scratch mix a TMax clone developer, if you have available the necessary bulk components. The key component in the clone is Dimezone-S, a phenidone variant. The rest are readily available chemistry. PM your e-mail to me if you want further information.
 

sleepyhead

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Sep 28, 2006
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DD-x has given me nice results in this regard, but as stated above, may not be less expensive...
 

JJB

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Dec 17, 2007
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NJ
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HC-110 is a liquid like T-Max developer. It lasts for ever and is not too much $, especially when used at high dilutions.

I use Dilution H most often. I can get over 35 rolls of 120 film or 75 rolls of 35mm from the 2 gallon concentrate. That's a lot of development for a small amount of $.

The trick is to not mix a stock solution, but rather use it from the concentrate. http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/ has more info on how to do it.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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HC-110 is nothing like TMax, unfortunately. One of the main virtues of TMax is shadow detail, which is the weakest quality of HC-110. There is a comparison chart at the Kodak web site that illustrates this.

 
OP
OP

mawz

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Jul 22, 2005
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Location
Toronto, ON
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35mm
Thanks for the info, Looks like I'll be checking out DD-X and XTOL as potential TMAX replacements.
 

2F/2F

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DD-X is what I would suggest, or X-Tol, or using diluted T-Max.
 
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