Rodinal for Tmax?

herb · Jan 22, 2018

Having been away from film for about 5 years, I was back into 35mm with Tmax. My old go-to setup was Xtol replenished full strength, for wet printing. Now, I am looking to scan the negs and digitially print. Thus I would have some control over contrast hopefully better than with chemistry. Tempted to try Rodinal, as that is a really punchy developer, but in 35 probably not good for grain. Any opinions on this approach?

chriscrawfordphoto · Jan 22, 2018

Tmax 100 is gorgeous in Rodinal. The Tmax 100 examples were shot on 120 film, as I usually only shoot 35mm with ISO 400 and higher films.

So is Tmax 400. These are what you're looking for; 35mm examples.

All of the examples I have shown were developed in Rodinal 1+50. Here are the developing times and films speeds I use:

Tmax 100:
EI-50
11 minutes at 68 degrees (20C)

Tmax 400:
EI-320
9 minutes at 68 degrees (20C)

Ian Grant · Jan 22, 2018

herb said:
Having been away from film for about 5 years, I was back into 35mm with Tmax. My old go-to setup was Xtol replenished full strength, for wet printing. Now, I am looking to scan the negs and digitially print. Thus I would have some control over contrast hopefully better than with chemistry. Tempted to try Rodinal, as that is a really punchy developer, but in 35 probably not good for grain. Any opinions on this approach?

I used Tmax100 and Rodinal for may years and always had great tonality and exceptionally fine grain, you won't see any significant difference compared to replenished Xtol as both are excellent with Tmax 100 & 400.

Ian

Colin Corneau · Jan 22, 2018

I use Rodinal for any slower (under 400) speed film. It's always great and a very good match...it'll do very well with TMX in 35mm.

Ian Grant · Jan 22, 2018

Colin Corneau said:
I use Rodinal for any slower (under 400) speed film. It's always great and a very good match...it'll do very well with TMX in 35mm.

It does so well with 35mm Tmax 100 that some think prints from the negatives were shot on 120 film. I never got the soot and whitewash contrast that Chris seems to get.

IAn

MattKing · Jan 22, 2018

herb said:
Having been away from film for about 5 years, I was back into 35mm with Tmax. My old go-to setup was Xtol replenished full strength, for wet printing. Now, I am looking to scan the negs and digitially print. Thus I would have some control over contrast hopefully better than with chemistry. Tempted to try Rodinal, as that is a really punchy developer, but in 35 probably not good for grain. Any opinions on this approach?

I would just go back to replenished X-Tol. If you want more contrast, increase your development times.
If you want more grain, then Rodinal makes sense.
If you are scanning, you are going to need to use the digital sharpness controls anyways, so you may as well control acutance with them - certainly replenished X-Tol gives you lots of acutance to start with.
Rodinal does have a different look so its worth trying some side by side comparisons to see what fits best for you within your scanning and printing regimen.

Cholentpot · Jan 22, 2018

Another one for Tmax 100 in Rodinal.

Looks great in 35mm and excellent in 120.

herb · Jan 22, 2018

Thanks to all. I will give the Rodinal a shot on my next roll.

Cholentpot · Jan 22, 2018

herb said:
Thanks to all. I will give the Rodinal a shot on my next roll.

So next question, stand or standard development?

Kawaiithulhu · Jan 23, 2018

Cholentpot said:
stand or standard

My take on this eternal debate is to go standard unless you have a specific aesthetic need that might be better served by pushing the envelope a bit.

Since you're just back after a break may I suggest you shoot two rolls back to back, then develop one standard and the other stand or minimal? No better time than right at the beginning to see the differences so you can make the informed choice in the future for each roll!

Cholentpot · Jan 23, 2018

Kawaiithulhu said:
My take on this eternal debate is to go standard unless you have a specific aesthetic need that might be better served by pushing the envelope a bit.

Since you're just back after a break may I suggest you shoot two rolls back to back, then develop one standard and the other stand or minimal? No better time than right at the beginning to see the differences so you can make the informed choice in the future for each roll!

Only issue I've ever had with stand is when I tried two reels at once in a Jobo. Got some terrible sprocket drips. Now either I do 1 at a time or a semi stand.

Rodinal for Tmax?

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