Different Dev times for TMY in Xtol.

[waynecrider]

In looking around at Kodak, Massive and elsewhere I've come up with different developing times for new TMY, whatever iteration they call it. One Kodak page lists it as rollfilm, not 35mm and the rec is 9 1/4 at 20C, 1+1 for 35mm. What do you have?

Btw, what is the recommendation for developing adjustments for a condenser head; -20%?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

As I understand it, from a chat with a Kodak rep. years ago, the Tmax films only have "starting" times and you have to arrive at your personal developing time by trial and error based on your personal exposure and lighting styles. It seems the Tmax films were more sensitive to exposure errors and developers than the older technology films are.

 

[fschifano]

The exact development time you finally settle on is highly personal, and hardly cast in stone. For a given film and developer combination it can vary by temperature, lighting conditions, and desired result. That said, the times recommended by Kodak are usually quite good, and often don't need much in the way of tweaking. My recommendation? Start with the manufacturer's recommendations. You will get very printable negatives. If you don't, something else is wrong. Want a bit more contrast? Extend the time by 5% to 10% next time without changing anything else. Need a bit less contrast? Do the opposite. Read the tech sheet for the most recent version of TMY here.

Don't place too much trust in the MDC. It is nothing more than a compilation of data submitted by users. It is not officially tested or officially validated data in any way. It's ok if you have no other source of data. In this case, you have data from the source.

 

[waynecrider]

I was interested to find that Kodak didn't print any dev information on the inside of the box and that's when I started looking around. The different iterations of the film made since I had developed it long ago and when using the FDC Cookbook times, supposedly had changed from what I remember reading either +\-. I'm not a fool when it comes to personal times, but I have always found stated times to be pretty much right, and having an exposed roll in hand I was hoping to make sure. Regardless I went with another developer I know. I think I've found the right time meanwhile for the 35mm film, but now am changing back to a larger format.

 

[clayne]

I was interested to find that Kodak didn't print any dev information on the inside of the box and that's when I started looking around. The different iterations of the film made since I had developed it long ago and when using the FDC Cookbook times, supposedly had changed from what I remember reading either +\-. I'm not a fool when it comes to personal times, but I have always found stated times to be pretty much right, and having an exposed roll in hand I was hoping to make sure. Regardless I went with another developer I know. I think I've found the right time meanwhile for the 35mm film, but now am changing back to a larger format.

They stopped printing dev info inside the box a while ago. Most likely to save costs. Has nothing to do with TMX/Y/Z as far as I know.

 

[Venchka]

Sandy King ran extensive tests on 4x5 new Tmax 400. I think TMY-2 in Kodak speak. He published his results in View Camera magazine. D-76 1:1 was the developer he used and box speed. I don't recall the time. A back issue of the magazine would have all the information.

 

[shinjuku]

Here is what I have been using for TMY-2, XTOL 1:1, Film speed 400

Jobo Cpp2, 70ºf, 3010 expert drum.

N development= 7:30 This looks good and places zone 1 at .13 on my densitometer

for n+ I would add 1min for n+1 and another minute for n+2
for n- I would decrease by 40 sec for n-1 and 40sec more for n-2

These n- and + times are not my exact times but are close

I hope this helps.

 

[ostgardlaw]

Sandy King ran extensive tests on 4x5 new Tmax 400. I think TMY-2 in Kodak speak. He published his results in View Camera magazine. D-76 1:1 was the developer he used and box speed. I don't recall the time. A back issue of the magazine would have all the information.

I'm just learning to process Tmax 400 sheet film using the 1/2 gallon-tank-with-hangers method, and I've noticed both Kodak and Photographer's Formulary tech sheets omit suggested development times for this sheet film using dilute D-76 (and FF TD-16). (Kodak DOES have suggested time for Tmax 400 in D76 1:1 using tray development). Are the characteristics of this film best suited for use with stock solutions, or are results using dilute solutions so subjective that the manufacturers leave development times completely to personal taste?

 

[fschifano]

I'm sure it can be done. After all, data for TMY in dilute D-76 is published. Development times for 8x10 sheets in a large tank can't be that far off the published times for other sizes of the film given the same temperature and equivalent agitation techniques.

My take on why there are no times published for this sort of application is simply one of sound business practice. Large tank development is usually carried out in a commercial lab where consistency, good image quality, and economy all play important roles. Running a seasoned and well maintained (replenished) batch of D-76 is the best way to achieve good image quality and consistency while keeping costs manageable.