I really want to like TMax RS dev

Good morning fellow folks,

I recently purchased some Tmax RS developer, I had been using Xtol, which I like I just don't like the huge batch you need to make and I don't develop huge amounts of film so it usually doesn't last. D-76 seems to be good, easy, cheap, stable. But since I use a lot of Tmax film I figured The Tmax dev would be good even though I'd heard mixed reviews. The first roll I did came out with all these spots, tiny, everywhere. I thought maybe I used it too soon after mixing part A and Part B.

So, i ran out of D-76 and thought to give the Tmax a try again. TMax 400, 1:9 dilution, 11:25 @ 75F (per Kodak #4043). No spots but grainy and muddy as all get out. There are so many dilutions, which is good? 1:4, 1:7, 1:9? It did say the larger dilutions would yield grainer negs.

And does it always have to be 75F? I like 68F.

Please excuse the out of focus center, a little film flatness issue and the cat hairs on the cat!

What is the magic formula for TMax RS?
Adria

I cannot help you with TMax developer, but I have run into the tiny spots problem, exactly like yours. In my experiemceexperience, it was due to the use of reused fixer. They went away with one-shot developer, stop, and fixer. I use home-mixed D76 1:1, for all my processing.

aparat said:

I cannot help you with TMax developer, but I have run into the tiny spots problem, exactly like yours. In my experiemceexperience, it was due to the use of reused fixer. They went away with one-shot developer, stop, and fixer. I use home-mixed D76 1:1, for all my processing.

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It is the same fixer used for other film which don't present with this problem.

I am using the fixer at 75F not 68F, someone did mention keeping all chemistry the same temp. Maybe TF5 doesn't like to be warmer?

Meow7 said:

It is the same fixer used for other film which don't present with this problem.

I am using the fixer at 75F not 68F, someone did mention keeping all chemistry the same temp. Maybe TF5 doesn't like to be warmer?

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I was afraid you were go I mg to say that . Regarding 75F, I have a professional photographer friend who has been doing all his BW film processing at 75F, including TMax dev.

The recommended temperature for T-Max developer (not T-Max RS developer) is 24C.
24C is a suggested starting point for T-Max RS developer, but Kodak gives suggested times for lower temperatures.
T-Max RS is designed to be best used in stock solution (1+4) in a replenishment regime. IMHO, it really works better that way than if you use it one shot.
j86 is the T-Max and T-Max RS developer data sheet: http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/uat/files/wysiwyg/pro/chemistry/j86.pdf
Spots usually mean some problem with the fixer.
The data sheet for TF5 doesn't specifically mention a preferred temperature, but it does suggest 20C for both the water stop and the subsequent wash, so I'm guessing 20C is recommended for it.

Meow7,

I've seen something like that from not fully mixed dry chemistry and from tiny gaseous bubbles due to a rapid PH change; like when going from developer to stop bath. Did you use an acid stop or water? If acid, how strong was it and have you tried a half-strength stop or water?

As I recall, I simply mix up the TMax RS developer per the instructions and use it straight. I then replenish as instructed. It is not used the same way as TMax non-RS. Used according to the data sheets I am happy with the results.

hello meow7
i used to use rs tmax quite a bit years ago
and i never used it at a higher than 68•F.
i'd use it straight ( not dilute ) and get OK results from it.
the only developer i have purposefully used at higher than 68•F is
ansco 130, cause it contains glycin which likes warmer temps ...
your next roll, try using it at 68, with fresh stop bath and fixer also at 68F

one of the problems with hot developer is times less than 5mins which
can give uneven development ..

good luck !
john

Some years ago Kodak extended its developer temperature to 24C (75F) to reflect the better hardened newer emulsions.

If you want to mix your own try Geoffrey Crawley's FX-37 developer designed for T-grain films.

I found using Tmax Dev (not RS) is you have to nail the temp and timing. It does not have much leeway. I like the stuff though, never did me wrong. Just can't be sloppy.

I started using stopbath when I started using Tmax Dev. It stops the development cold. I found it made a difference.

I am kind of confused. I see Kodak recommendation on TMax 400 spec sheet for TMax RS developer:

7 minutes @68 degrees.
* The recommended standard dilution is 1:4.
† We do not recommend using more dilute solutions of these developers than indicated in the table. Dilute developers require longer development times; they give slightly
higher film speed and a slight increase in graininess.

The TMax RS dev and I have come to an agreement. 1:4 dilution @ 68 and I filter my fixer now. It's been fine and has given good results. Thanks for all the input!

Meow7 said:

The TMax RS dev and I have come to an agreement. 1:4 dilution @ 68 and I filter my fixer now. It's been fine and has given good results. Thanks for all the input!

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Wow...I'd drop any developer that required me to filter my fixer. I've never needed to do that, even once.

To be fair, I don’t think the developer requires me to filter the fixer, but since I was having unexplained spotting it was suggested that maybe my fixer had schmutz it it. So I just do it to be sure. It did have schmutz in it.