Developing TMax with good results - suggestions?

[htmlguru4242]

I was forced to use TMax 400 today (yuck ...), as I needed some indoor & outdoor shots (no flash), so the choices were either color film (no - disaster to print on regular paper), digital (NOO), push Panatomic-X or Kodalith to 400 (double no) or use TMax 400, which is what I ended up doing.

I haven't used it for a LOONG time, as I recall results that were just, well, bad from it. Tonality, grain, contrast, were just bad (in D-76 & TMax dev.) These shots are CRITICAL, so does anyone know how to develop the stuff and actually have it come out nice?

The dev. choices are: D-76, D-76 1:1, Dektol (1+3 or higher dilution) or TMax dev.

So while I'm re-stocking on decent film, any ideas / help PLEAASE? I've heard people getting good results from this, and some people LOVE this film (WTF?), so I have a feeling that its a matter of developer ...

 

[glbeas]

What I've read about Tmax dev is its not really suited to Tmax film, wierd concept. It was said to be best for pushing film. The best I've had from it has been in Rodinal. You might do best with D76 1:1, be precise with the development to keep the highlights in control. Don't take just my word for it though, I don't use it enough to really fine tune it.

 

[Ian Grant]

There's a myth that Tmax films are difficult to use.

I don't know why, I've only used Tmax or Agfa AP then APX films since Tmax was introduced. The only real differance being Kodak's over optimistic ISO rating, the data sheets say otherwise ie use Tmax 100 at 50 ISO for good tonality.

Tmax 400 is an excellent 200 ISO film, I processed in Rodinal (not the original - the up to date Agfa product) or Xtol with superb results. Initially I tried T-max dev but found more loss of film speed. Should add I now process in Xtol or Pyrocat HD.

Ian

 

[Konical]

"There's a myth that Tmax films are difficult to use."

Good Evening,

Ian is exactly right, in my opinion; it is a myth. I prefer the T-100 (in T-Max 1:7) for its great flexibility, but the T-400 also gives great results in T-Max 1:7.

Konical

 

[jeroldharter]

I use TMAX 100 film (4x5) in TMAX RS developer with a Jobo CPP-2 processor. Went through Zone System calibration and everything seemed to work like promised with an exposure index of 100. No problems.

 

[Donald Qualls]

For 400TMY metered at EI 400, I use HC-110 Dilution F, 19 minutes (continuous agitation first minute, then 5 inversions in 10 seconds every 3rd minute). Excellent shadow detail, smooth, "pebbly" grain if you enlarge enough to see it (which requires about 8x10 from 35 mm), and no "weird" tonal progressions. Check my gallery for some shots from it in 6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x9, printed with normal to slightly hard contrast.

 

[df cardwell]

With your developer choices, I'd go with D76 1+1.

XTOL is a better choice, but D76 1+1 works very well.

.

 

[fotod69]

I was forced to use TMax 400 today (yuck ...), as I needed some indoor & outdoor shots (no flash), so the choices were either color film (no - disaster to print on regular paper), digital (NOO), push Panatomic-X or Kodalith to 400 (double no) or use TMax 400, which is what I ended up doing.

I haven't used it for a LOONG time, as I recall results that were just, well, bad from it. Tonality, grain, contrast, were just bad (in D-76 & TMax dev.) These shots are CRITICAL, so does anyone know how to develop the stuff and actually have it come out nice?

The dev. choices are: D-76, D-76 1:1, Dektol (1+3 or higher dilution) or TMax dev.

So while I'm re-stocking on decent film, any ideas / help PLEAASE? I've heard people getting good results from this, and some people LOVE this film (WTF?), so I have a feeling that its a matter of developer ...

I have had wonderful results using Rodinal with T max 100 and 400 rating them at 64 and 320 respectively. I'm using dilutions from 1:50 to 1:100 depending upon rolls in tanks or sheet in a Jobo CPP -2. Others I know who use Tmax dev dilute to either 1:7 tp 1:9 with good results. Tmax is very consistant to work with though it seems to be very sensitive to temp, agitation. To gey consistant results one must be very consistant with the entire processing procedure. Test alot to get things in line before your critical shooting and you'll be very pleased.
Good Luck,

Dennis