Film comparison

Has anyone compared Kodak T-Max to Ilford FP4 Plus sheet films?

Only a few thousand sheets of each. But you're really talking about three different films here, because there's quite a difference between the 100
and 400 speed TMax's. I have a high opinion of all of these films, but for different potential applications.

Drew, you forgot to give us the comparison. We await with worms on our tongues ("baited breath")!

Well, for one thing the TMAX and FP4/HP5 families are two different film technologies - FP4/HP5 are traditional "random" grain films, where as the TMAX films are "T-grain"(tabular) films, which have smaller, more evenly sized grains of silver in them. They will give different looks. In sheet film sizes the grain difference will be less obvious than in smaller format films, but the TMAX films will be of finer grain than the comparable FP4/HP5 equivalent (that is, TMAX 100 will be finer grained than FP4+, and TMAX 400 will be finer grained than HP5+). TMAX 100 has a UV-blocking coating on it that makes it nearly useless for alternative process printing, as most alternative processes are UV dependent. There's a few starting points.

+ 1 with FlyingCamera, just different looks, I use Tmax 100 and 400 in 35mm, more 400 than 100 when I need to push. In MF and LF like traditional film like FP4, or when still being made Kodak Plus X, last few years I have used Foma 200 in all formats, if I could not get Foma then I would likely use HP5 or PF4. I know others who use Tmax 400 as their standard 4X5 film and often shoot as ISO 800 to bring their shutter speed up while shooting at F22. Another thought is that I like buying 4X5 in 25 sheet boxes, I think Tmax is only available in 50 sheet boxes. Anyone seen Tmax in 25 sheet boxes?

I used to shoot a lot of FP4 sheet film for clients. It's very nice film. I don't care too much for TMX because I'm just used to the grain of older film emulsions. It's all a matter of taste. I would just buy both and just shoot, process and print with the film. There are no right nor wrongs here.

Doc W said:

Drew, you forgot to give us the comparison. We await with worms on our tongues ("baited breath")!

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Just for those who really think "baited breath" is correct: It's really "bated breath," as in "abated" (i.e., held; so "with held breath").

The picture of worms on the tongue is powerful, though

Doremus

Sorry. Got interrupted. Here's how I use these films. FP4 is a superb all-round product. But it's a bit slow for windy days and the relatively long exposures that go with 8x10 work. I rate it at 50. So I'm more apt to use it in 4x5 or during calm days. HP5 has speed but a moderate toe, so I have to be careful about too much contrast range unless I mask it when printing, and I don't like shooting it in anything smaller than 8x10 due to the beautiful but distinct grain structure. TMY400 is more of an all-around film which I shoot in everything from 35mm to 8x10, with excellent shadow separation and detail, and superb quality control, but costly in sheets. TMX100 also has a long straight line but poor edge definition, so it's more suitable for portraits rather than crisp landscape subjects. In the lab I use a lot of both FP4 and TMX for masking purposes, interpositives, and sometimes separation negatives. TMY also works well in the latter category, but is a bit too grainy for masking per se. I could state a lot of other things, but won't try at the moment.

I've used a lot of FP-4+ in 4x5 sheets developed with Pyrocat-HD 2:2:100 for pt/pd printing. I find this combination absolutely beautiful for this application. In 8x10 format, I generally use 400 speed film for the reasons stated throughout this thread.

Doremus Scudder said:

Just for those who really think "baited breath" is correct: It's really "bated breath," as in "abated" (i.e., held; so "with held breath").

The picture of worms on the tongue is powerful, though

Doremus

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Doremus, it's a PUN! (insert eye-rolling here)

Doc W said:

Doremus, it's a PUN! (insert eye-rolling here)

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Yeah, I know. I was afraid some wouldn't get it though. It's just my language obsession coming through again. Certainly, no offense was intended!

Best,

Doremus

What are exactly you are looking for in that kind of comparison? grain? sharpness?...etc.

I am not experienced in film yet, but i saw the difference, and to each film is specific or own characteristics, i may like one to another, and i may use this film in specific areas of photography, i can't just go with one or two and say it is the best in all and every scene, any film can be used at all times, but sure the look as they mentioned could be different, and processing the film also has its factor, narrow what you are looking for so members can narrow their answers.

For me, FP4 is coming second if i talk it into levels, and it is my open opinion and not a fact:

First level: Acros 100, TMAX400, Pan F+, Neopan 400 which is expired
Second level: FP4+, HP5+, TMAX100, Plus-X regardless it is expiredAdox[although i never tried this before]
Third level: Tri-X, Delta 100 and 400
4th level: Delta3200, XP2, Foma and Arista
5th level: anything else until i test them and see if i can change its level later, such as Rollei, IR, Lomography,...etc

Tmax 100 and FP4? Tabular grain vs conventional. One is a tad faster than the other (I shoot them both at EI 64). Tmax has better resolving power and finer grain than FP4. FP4's grain has more of an edge (which I prefer). Dare I say FP4 is cheaper? I prefer FP4 for my LF work. Now, TMY-2? That's an amazing film! I prefer it to Tmax 100 any day of the week...just so darn expensive now!

Andrew O'Neill said:

Tmax 100 and FP4? Tabular grain vs conventional. One is a tad faster than the other (I shoot them both at EI 64). Tmax has better resolving power and finer grain than FP4. FP4's grain has more of an edge (which I prefer). Dare I say FP4 is cheaper? I prefer FP4 for my LF work. Now, TMY-2? That's an amazing film! I prefer it to Tmax 100 any day of the week...just so darn expensive now!

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True, TMAX400 or TMY-2 is one of my favorite films, actually it is my top favorite under 400 if i go with box speed, and regardless its being expensive, i will keep using it and buying it when i need, HP5+ is an alternative but i don't know if i really like most of Ilford films in general over Neopan and Kodak.