Diafine and Tmax

waynecrider · Feb 25, 2007

Any idea about the reason for the different EI's with TMX 35mm and roll. Is there suppose to be some sort of benefit going for the lowered EI? It couldn't be some sort of compensation could it?

Snapshot · Feb 25, 2007

Diafine is a compensating developer and with that capability comes certain benefits and restrictions. The good news is that you should get fine grain film development that doesn't requirement much temperature control in a very easy to use formula. However, that means you won't get the flexibility to change parameters (e.g. time or temperature) for certain desirable visuabl effects.

As for the differences between 35mm and 120, it could be due to the fact that 120 film has a great tonal range. Unfortunately, I'm not certain that is definitely the case.

waynecrider · Feb 25, 2007

Been using it for years; just wondered about the different EI's.

Snapshot · Feb 25, 2007

waynecrider said:
Been using it for years; just wondered about the different EI's.

Ahh... I presumed that you just started to use it. Pardon the assumption.

Neal · Feb 26, 2007

Dear Wayne,

Are you asking why there are different suggested developing times for the same EI? I have no answer, but I was confused by the question. (Unfortunately for me, I confuse easily.)

Neal Wydra

Neal · Feb 26, 2007

Dear Wayne,

I found the source of my confusion. ;>) I will say only that Kodak recommends different development times for 35mm, while (I think) the roll and sheet film have the same development time (at least for rotary processing) so there does appear to be some difference between them.

Neal Wydra

Paul Howell · Feb 26, 2007

TriX 35 and TriX professional roll and sheet film are differnt emulsions. 35mm is rated at 400 while the professional roll and sheet film is rated at 320. All films are developed for 3 mints in A and then 3 mints in B. The incerase in film speed is differnt for each type of film, but you can develop differnt films in the same batch as the developing time remains constant regardless of the film. I also recall that Dinafine is not recommended for roatery pocessors.

waynecrider · Feb 27, 2007

Let me clear up my question a little bit. On the box, that's in front of me, the times and EI's for Tmax (100) are divided thus.

35mm and Roll...80EI...4.5min A, 4 min B
35mm and sheet...160EI...at normal times
Roll...200EI...at normal times

It's the 80EI that I'm wondering about. Is it some sort of overexposure and compensated dev outside the norm? Usually you would pull development.

dynachrome · Feb 27, 2007

Diafine And TMX

When you use a divided developer like Diafine or Diluxol Viotesse or Emofin there is a limited amount of control you have by varying developing times in the two solutions. Your best bet is to bracket your exposures and make notes. If you keep developing times in parts A and B consistent you will quickly see the correct EI for each film. TMX isn't the easiest film to work with. I like it in Microphen and I have no problem getting at least the box speed of 100. Others like to downrate it and then cut back on the developing time a little to control contrast and reduce the chances of blowing out the highlights. If you find a good EI for Diafine and like the contrast and tonality then it's a good match for you. Don't expect to see much grain from TMX unless you boil it in Rodinal.

LarryD · Mar 1, 2007

I noticed when I used T-grain films with Diafine it was real flat... hard to scan and the speed increase was almost non existant.... I am playing with a brick of Delta 100 I just got for almost nothing .. about 25 cents a roll and I will try a roll in Diafine I will bracket them at 100/200 and 320 to see what happens...

Diafine is great for most conventional film infact I love PanF+ in it at 64-100 mostly 100 it seams to tame the Contrast of the film in bright light .. where you shoot it alot....

Larry

Diafine and Tmax

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