T-Max developer

alanrockwood · Oct 19, 2014

I don't see T-Max developer discussed much compared to some of the other developers. Is T-Max the favorite developer of any of you here?

As I see it T-Max developer has two things going for it: 1) Good film speed when films are developed in it, and 2) Convenience.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 19, 2014

I use T-Max developer on T-Max film.

Jeff

marciofs · Oct 19, 2014

I have a bottle of T-max developer more than 2 Years on a bright shelf. I don't know why I alway keep buying R09 and Ilfotec instead of use the T-max developer.

Dr Croubie · Oct 19, 2014

I've been using microphen for developing my Delta 3200 for the last few months. However, a few weeks ago, I was going over some old negs that I got done at a lab, and from what I remember they were using TMax Dev.
These older negs had so much less grain compared to my microphen ones, so I thought I'd try some TMax Dev in a direct test to see how it compared to microphen. Devved them last weekend, haven't scanned/printed yet to see though...

Nuff · Oct 19, 2014

From what I have read, tmax dev is comparable to ddx. But cheaper and last 2 years after opening instead of 6 months. Once I run out of ddx (around 2 more rolls, I will use tmax.

Also I hate the cap on ddx bottle. It welded itself to the bottle and I had to cut it up with a knife.

Konical · Oct 19, 2014

Good Morning, Alan,

T-Max is a terrific developer. In addition to the two positive points you mention, I'd add that the concentrate has a very long shelf life. I use it 1:7 and don't regularly process large amounts of film, so cost isn't much of a factor for me.

Konical

mexipike · Oct 19, 2014

Nuff said:
From what I have read, tmax dev is comparable to ddx. But cheaper and last 2 years after opening instead of 6 months. Once I run out of ddx (around 2 more rolls, I will use tmax.

Also I hate the cap on ddx bottle. It welded itself to the bottle and I had to cut it up with a knife.

I love DDX but I had that problem once too!

If TMax is pretty much the same stuff I may switch too, for economical reasons.

mopar_guy · Oct 19, 2014

T-Max Developer is a good choice for general purpose use and also great for push processing.

ic-racer · Oct 19, 2014

Google search for "T-max developer" yields about 6,740 results. I think it is a great developer. I have been using it for all films since 1986. It is an excellent developer for a contemporary darkroom that may only get intermittent use.

MattKing · Oct 19, 2014

T-Max RS is a great option as well, and as it is easy to use in a replenisment regime, which also makes it more economical.

removed account4 · Oct 19, 2014

MattKing said:
T-Max RS is a great option as well, and as it is easy to use in a replenisment regime, which also makes it more economical.

be advised, the RS version this is also the choice if you plan to process SHEET FILM, otherwise you run the risk or dichrioc fog

mts · Oct 20, 2014

I have been using a TMax "clone" mixed from scratch. It was reverse-engineered and published in a long-gone photo newsgroup. It has been my go-to developer for many years now. I use it to replace where I previously would use D-76.

Dr Croubie · Oct 20, 2014

jnanian said:
be advised, the RS version this is also the choice if you plan to process SHEET FILM, otherwise you run the risk or dichrioc fog

As was explained to me by the guys in the store, the TMax Dev is for tubes and such but aren't good in trays, the TMax RS is for anything.
So given that I process my 4x5s and 8x10s in a Jobo tank with 2509n and CL81 (the 4x5s I generally do 1-min inversions, the 8x10 I constantly roll or it uses 2L of dev vs 600ml), the TMax Dev should be good enough for me (that said, I haven't yet tried TMax RS, it's not very available down here).
Or is there any other reason to not use TMax Dev for sheets?

MattKing · Oct 20, 2014

FWIW, the Kodak datasheet expressly warns against using T-Max developer for sheet film, and specifies T-Max RS as the alternative.

Dave in Kansas · Oct 20, 2014

Nuff said:
Also I hate the cap on ddx bottle. It welded itself to the bottle and I had to cut it up with a knife.

Use caution when removing the foil on the DD-X bottle. The foil is fairly heavy and I sliced my thumb open when attempting to tear the foil off. I added a few drops of blood to my developer to see if it had a positive effect on my negatives, but I couldn't see any difference.

Dave

Simon R Galley · Oct 20, 2014

Dear Dave in Kansas....

I do not think you can claim this to be an addition to the product and therefore an improvement......
nor do I think I could pay you a royalty unless you bleed into every bottle !

Seriously Dave, I am really sorry you wounded yourself, sadly we have to use a pretty 'robust' cover to avoid the 'leakers' .

Hope your thumb is OK now...

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

removed account4 · Oct 20, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
As was explained to me by the guys in the store, the TMax Dev is for tubes and such but aren't good in trays, the TMax RS is for anything.
So given that I process my 4x5s and 8x10s in a Jobo tank with 2509n and CL81 (the 4x5s I generally do 1-min inversions, the 8x10 I constantly roll or it uses 2L of dev vs 600ml), the TMax Dev should be good enough for me (that said, I haven't yet tried TMax RS, it's not very available down here).
Or is there any other reason to not use TMax Dev for sheets?

MattKing said:
FWIW, the Kodak datasheet expressly warns against using T-Max developer for sheet film, and specifies T-Max RS as the alternative.

EXACTLY !

Hatchetman · Oct 20, 2014

I assumed the regular TMax was too volatile or something, causing fumes which could be irritating/toxic in big open trays. I'm just guessing that.

Jim Jones · Oct 20, 2014

MattKing said:
FWIW, the Kodak datasheet expressly warns against using T-Max developer for sheet film, and specifies T-Max RS as the alternative.

However, I mix small amounts of T-Max developer as needed for tray development of sheet film, and have never had a problem with it over many years. Larger amounts diluted for roll film have long shelf life.

MattKing · Oct 20, 2014

Simon R Galley said:
Dear Dave in Kansas....

I do not think you can claim this to be an addition to the product and therefore an improvement......
nor do I think I could pay you a royalty unless you bleed into every bottle !

Seriously Dave, I am really sorry you wounded yourself, sadly we have to use a pretty 'robust' cover to avoid the 'leakers' .

Hope your thumb is OK now...

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Hi Simon:

The "covers" are the only things that (slightly) irritates me about Ilford chemicals.

Is there any way you could add a small "tab" to them, so as to permit grabbing them and rolling/peeling them off?

And while I'm at it ...

Is there a reason that Ilfostop isn't available in anything larger than 500 ml containers? At my favourite solution volume, that is only 5 printing sessions (at full strength).

pdeeh · Oct 20, 2014

MattKing said:
Is there any way you could add a small "tab" to them, so as to permit grabbing them and rolling/peeling them off?
.

yes yes yes please

Dave in Kansas · Oct 20, 2014

I just figure that learning how to open the container (in my case grab with pliers next time) is part of the learning curve for using a new developer.

Dave

Alan Klein · Oct 20, 2014

For whatever it's worth, my pro lab uses Xtol to develop Tmax. Have no idea why.

Dave in Kansas · Oct 20, 2014

A lab near me also uses Xtol. I think it is popular because when used in a replenishment system it is very economical. And it works extremely well. Both Xtol and TMAX are great developers.

GarageBoy · Oct 22, 2014

Where is everyone finding TMax developer? I can only get the RS version

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