Kodak triX 400 Film.

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 8, 2017

Back in the 90's I developed Tri-X in D-76 1+1, Xtol 1+1, and was quite satisfied with the results. Today, I would probably see how it would fair in Pyrocat-HD.

eddie · Jun 8, 2017

I think the choice of developer is much less important than taking the time to master your chosen film/developer combination. Every developer mentioned can work well. Pick one and stick to it. That's the only way to get where you want to go. A good example is Bill Schwab's work. Remarkable work from Tri-X and HC-110. I don't know how long it took him to master the combo, but master it he has.

pentaxuser · Jun 8, 2017

darkosaric said:
Those are the people who do not use Leica. If you use Leica you must develop it in Rodinal, because Salgado did this. D76 and Xtol were pushed as a standard and "good" developers from evil corporations, because they want to make money, and with Rodinal developing cost nothing.*
* of course I am trolling

Nice one. I love it and unless we Brits have lost our dry sense of humour, the trolling phrase was unnecessary. I have it on good authority that we are only Brexiting in case we lose this sense of humour.

pentaxuser

paladin1420 · Jun 8, 2017

I'll join the D-76 crowd. 1:1. Other developers are probably just fine, but D-76 is what I usually have and it's east to mix and use.

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 8, 2017

I started with D-76 back in the day. Last couple of years I've been on XTol and I've done a roll or two with pyrocat-HD.
Both the Kodak developers are pretty great, can't go wrong with either.

Pyrocat I personally think is better suited for larger formats like 120 (can't get 4x5 Tri-X 400) because enlarging the 35mm takes away some of the stain effect. I may just be imagining that, I have very little experience with it and your mileage may vary.

darkroommike · Jun 8, 2017

tripleteer said:
The massive development chart says that when using D76 with triX400 at 1+1, temp should be 27c !! Why the hike in temperature?

To shorten the processing time. The time above it at 20 degrees C. looks too short as well. But it's been a whil since I used this combo. My students use a lot of Kentmere 400 in D76 1+1 instead.

darkroommike · Jun 8, 2017

Over the years I have done Tri-x in D76 1+1, HC110b, Rodinol, Tmax, Acufine, Diafine, and Acu-1 (a one shot Acufine). I've also done Tri-X Pan Professional in Tri-X. There's really nothing oddball about any of these developers with Tri-X.

Chrismat · Jun 8, 2017

Rodinal 1:50, always have loved the look of the grain. I've just started trying Clayton F76+ and have gotten good results.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 8, 2017

tripleteer said:
The massive development chart says that when using D76 with triX400 at 1+1, temp should be 27c !! Why the hike in temperature?

The MDC has a reputation for errors which unfortunately never seem to get corrected. Take anything they say cum grano salis.

Cholentpot · Jun 8, 2017

So am I the only one who sticks with HC-110 Dilution B? Am I missing out by not trying D-76?

Petraio Prime · Jun 8, 2017

Cholentpot said:
So am I the only one who sticks with HC-110 Dilution B? Am I missing out by not trying D-76?

HC 110 is a 'tank' developer, like DK50, for larger film. I would not use it on 35mm films.

DAK · Jun 8, 2017

Xtol 1+1 just because that is what I have always used.

Dave

Cholentpot · Jun 8, 2017

Petraio Prime said:
HC 110 is a 'tank' developer, like DK50, for larger film. I would not use it on 35mm films.

And this is common knowledge? I mean people have been using this stuff for years and now I'm told it's no good for 135?

Sometimes the info I find on this side needs to be taken with a lump of salt.

MattKing · Jun 8, 2017

Cholentpot said:
So am I the only one who sticks with HC-110 Dilution B? Am I missing out by not trying D-76?

Dilution E for me, and replenished, but dilution B works great.
HC-110 works well with 35mm film. It was designed to suit the needs of commercial labs that processed a wide variety of films, in a variety of formats, including 35mm.
Some people prefer other developers, but that isn't the same as HC110 being unsuitable in any way.

Fin · Jun 8, 2017

Cholentpot said:
So am I the only one who sticks with HC-110 Dilution B? Am I missing out by not trying D-76?

No. I use HC-110 for standard development and love it. If I stand-develop (1600 or 3200) however, I use Rodinal.

(Never tried D76 though!)

jimjm · Jun 9, 2017

Cholentpot said:
And this is common knowledge? I mean people have been using this stuff for years and now I'm told it's no good for 135?

Sometimes the info I find on this side needs to be taken with a lump of salt.

No - I use HC-110 for all formats from 35mm to 4x5. I get good results with Tri-X, TMax (100 and 400), HP5+, Acros 100 and even Plus-X.

Being a liquid concentrate, it's really convenient when I have just a few rolls or sheets to develop and I don't want to mix up a whole gallon of D-76. The concentrate keeps for years, and even the stock solution will keep for 6 months.

Logan Becker · Jun 9, 2017

D-76 1+1, for 35mm about 10 minutes with continuous agitation at 68°

darkosaric · Jun 9, 2017

pentaxuser said:
Nice one. I love it and unless we Brits have lost our dry sense of humour, the trolling phrase was unnecessary

Thanks . I was reading about Poe's law recently - so I decided to add disclaimer, you never know how wrong can something go .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe's_law

Pat Erson · Jun 9, 2017

Logan Becker said:
D-76 1+1, for 35mm about 10 minutes with continuous agitation at 68°

Really? You're going to toast your negs...

darkroommike · Jun 9, 2017

Cholentpot said:
So am I the only one who sticks with HC-110 Dilution B? Am I missing out by not trying D-76?

Yes, it's just you. No, but seriously, I did this for years and really love the combo. What I did not like:

Frightfully short times with other films
Lack of data with "foreign" films not in Kodak's wheelhouse (pre Massive of course although still true to some degree)
The change in packaging, the new big bottles take some time to go though, the smaller bottles I always diluted to make a stock solution since I prefer to not mess with pipettes, syringes, etc. With the new bigger bottles I found THAT to be a PITA.
John Sexton and Fred Picker both recommended HC-110 for years (I'll call that a PUSH) but I also liked Covington's unofficial HC-110 page.

darkosaric · Jun 9, 2017

Let make the question like this: in which developer TriX looks bad?

darkroommike · Jun 9, 2017

Pat Erson said:
Really? You're going to toast your negs...

Kodak's f-4017 says 9.75 minutes for that combo so his times are about right and maybe a bit short if he uses a presoak.

darkroommike · Jun 9, 2017

darkosaric said:
Thanks . I was reading about Poe's law recently - so I decided to add disclaimer, you never know how wrong can something go .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe's_law

No I have found that using <sarcasm> <humor> <opinion> etc. tags more necessary in this modern age, since missives and replies are now so short. I also use </sarcasm> etc. to end sections of my "wit"

Anon Ymous · Jun 9, 2017

darkosaric said:
Let make the question like this: in which developer TriX looks bad?

First you need to define what "bad" is, which is quite a task. It really is a matter of taste after all. FWIW, some people find the Tri-X in Rodinal combination objectionable, mostly because of the large, crisp grain. Others just love it.

darkroommike · Jun 9, 2017

The one that has NOT been mentioned yet is Barry Thornton's divided developer, I have not used it yet, plan to test it this summer, it has a great reputation.

Kodak triX 400 Film.

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