Is TMAX plus DD-X the best for me?

I shoot medium format B&W, and scan the negatives on a Canoscan 9000F MK II, using the included software. I have tried Kodak T-Max, Delta, and HP5+. I find 400 speed the most verstatile. I like Kodak T-Max 400 because it has a finer grain, it's sharp, it's easy to load onto the reel, and it dries flat.

I have developed it in Ilfosol 3 and Ilfotec DD-X. The DD-X is a little more expensive, but the results were a little better too.

Here's what I like about DDX:
Liquid, I don't have to mess around with mixing up a powder.
One-shot, I don't have to store it or keep track of how many times I've used it.
It seems to last for at least a year

Here's what I would like in addition to what I have:
Finer grain (some of my images seem to come out grainy)
Increased sharpness
Cheaper (this is less of an issue, but DDX is on the expensive side).

I pre-rinse, and I dilute the DDX 1+4. I develop for 8 min, agitating for the first 30 sec, and then 5 agitations every 60 sec.

I imagine there are a lot of variables here:
Scanner
Software
Developing technique
Developer

But focusing on technique and developer, could I get finer grain and increased sharpness by changing my technique, eliminating the pre-rinse, or switching to Rodinal?

Thank you,

DD-X is about as fine a grain developer as you can find. Some might prefer XTOL better but I always go with DD-X when I develop TMAX 400. I agitate for 10 seconds every 60 seconds.

TiCoyote said:

But focusing on technique and developer, could I get finer grain and increased sharpness by changing my technique, eliminating the pre-rinse, or switching to Rodinal?

Click to expand...

Welcome to APUG.
Assuming that you aren't over-exposing significantly, you are not likely to effect much of a change by adjusting technique. In particular, the pre-rinse doesn't make any difference with respect to grain and sharpness.
If you switch to Rodinal, you will gain some apparent sharpness, but that will include some apparently sharper grain, which may or may not mean more objectionable grain (appreciation of grain is quite subjective).
You may also lose some effective film speed with Rodinal.
We don't discuss scanning on APUG - it is explicitly off topic and can result in threads being either locked or removed - but there is a very good chance that the grain you see, and any lack of sharpness you perceive, is more likely to result from the scanning process than any characteristics of the film, developer and developing technique. T-Max 400 is very fine grain, and capable of excellent contrast and acutance (the major components of apparent sharpness).
Hope this helps.

DDX is a fine developer..I prefer to use Xtol because it is cheaper; lasts very well in capped bottles and gives me full speed
DDX will go off if not used in a certain amount of time...if you're happy with it use it!!
best,peter

I find DD-X to be grainier than most. This is with Delta 100, FP4 and HP5.

How about DiXactol? Similar to DD-X but with some differences. I think the formulary sells it. Developed by Barry Thornton as I recall.

With only 12 shoots on a roll, you might want to reconsider TMax 400's versatility, and shoot TMax 100 for finer grain when you have the light.