T-Max RS Developer

Grillage

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Hi! For many years I have used T-Max RS developer with great success! I am building my new Darkroom here in PA. Once I am done I want to get out making photographs again. I have also used T-Max 400 for many years with the same developer. Since regular T-Max developer does cause Dichroic fog which I have experienced is there another developer that will give me similar results? Thanks so much! Dave
 

MattKing

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Thread moved.
Are you using this with sheet film?
Have you tried the newest version of T-Max developer - now specifically identified as being manufactured by the new licensee - PhotoSys?
 
OP
OP

Grillage

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MattKing said:
Thread moved.
Are you using this with sheet film?
Have you tried the newest version of T-Max developer - now specifically identified as being manufactured by the new licensee - PhotoSys?
Click to expand...

Yes. I use sheet film. 4x5-5x7 and 8-10 I have read Kodak says its only for Roll film. I do not want to make tests and run into problems. Thanks
 

Paul Howell

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HC 110 is less prone to fog than other developers, one of the reason it often recommended for very old exposed films. I have not used the new version of Tmax developer, not sure how it compares to the old version. Ilftec HC might be another option along with DDX.
 

Paul Howell

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Forgot, my current sheet film developer is Kodak Dk50 1:1, but sure what the time would be for Tmax 400, I shoot Foma 400 in 4X5.
 

Don_ih

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Use Xtol - or the make-it-yourself variety. There seems to be nothing better.
 

Paul Howell

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PF makes a large range, their version of D76, divided D76, DK 50, a propriety liquid, and several acuity types, D 23, staining, and sort of odd balls likes Edwal 12 and MCM 100. What are looking for? I don't think they make a clone of Xtol. They do make a developer for Tgrain films, I have not use it.

BW-2 T-Max Developer

Developer BW-2 T-Max Film Photography Chemicals
stores.photoformulary.com
 

mshchem

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HC-110 if you prefer liquid, XTOL or D-76 if you are OK using a powder. Of course if you are using Ilford's sheet films, maybe try one of their's. I use XTOL for nearly everything.
 

Keith Tapscott.

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I thought the dichroic fog was linked to the gelatin used at one time and there has since been no further problems.
 

MattKing

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Keith Tapscott. said:
I thought the dichroic fog was linked to the gelatin used at one time and there has since been no further problems.
Click to expand...

Once the dichroic fog issues were realized, Eastman Kodak recommended against using T-Max developer for sheet film for as long as they sold it under their name. They recommended T-Max RS instead - the meaningfully different version that also offered self-replenishment capabilities (and was apparently more expensive to make). That continued even after Kodak Alaris took over distribution and marketing. The datasheet still says that, but then the datasheet still references T-Max RS developer, which is no longer produced.
However, the manufacture of the T-Max developers was moved from Germany to the USA - most likely PhotoSys, and the MSDS at least for T-Max developer seems different, so it is possible that the current product doesn't cause the same dichroic fog problems with sheet film.
 

Keith Tapscott.

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Kodak need to update their data sheets and clarify whether dichroic fog is still a problem with sheet films when using the standard Tmax developer.
I'm not sure how the latest version of the developer differs from the original formula.
 

MattKing

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Keith Tapscott. said:
Kodak need to update their data sheets and clarify whether dichroic fog is still a problem with sheet films when using the standard Tmax developer.
I'm not sure how the latest version of the developer differs from the original formula.
Click to expand...

Which actually means PhotoSys needs to, as neither Eastman Kodak nor Kodak Alaris have any involvement any more with still film photo chemicals, other than (Eastman Kodak's) licensing of the name.
 

MattKing

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Actually, the Kodak Photo Chemicals site maintained by Photo Systems Inc. for their Kodak branded products says this about T-Max developer (emphasis added):
"This concentrate is a buffered solution designed to be diluted with water at 1:4 for easy mixing for small tank and rotary tube development. T-MAX developer is designed for one-shot use; measured working-strength solutions should not be reused or replenished. It is meant for roll film only and not recommended for use with sheet films."
 

Keith Tapscott.

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Thanks for the update Matt. The publication I have shows that the developer can be reused at up to 12 rolls each litre of working strength solution.
I am behind the times it seems.
 

Milpool

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Keith, not sure if this will be of interest but in one of his newsletters following the original discontinuation of TMax RS John Sexton reported that based on preliminary testing he found he was able to use the then current version of regular TMax developer with current TMax sheet films without issue. Of course he was careful to warn against taking that as definitive and suggested people test for themselves, so no guarantees. Processing variables might have impacts, and the latest Photo Systems iteration of the TMax developer might not work in exactly the same way, but perhaps worth a try.

Here is the newsletter: http://www.johnsexton.com/newsletter07-2021.html#anchor05

Keith Tapscott. said:
Kodak need to update their data sheets and clarify whether dichroic fog is still a problem with sheet films when using the standard Tmax developer.
I'm not sure how the latest version of the developer differs from the original formula.
Click to expand...
 

Keith Tapscott.

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Thanks for the link. Interesting that John is optimistic about the new version.
 

Craig

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Why would sheet film be susceptible to dichroic fog and roll film not be? I'm not aware of any other developer that would be good for roll film and not for sheet film.
 

Milpool

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I suggest reading the link I posted above as it summarizes the history of this particular issue and the explanation the folks at Kodak came up with based on their analysis.
Craig said:
Why would sheet film be susceptible to dichroic fog and roll film not be? I'm not aware of any other developer that would be good for roll film and not for sheet film.
Click to expand...
 

DREW WILEY

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The RS version of TMax Developer has been discontinued for quite awhile. HC-110 is capable of mimicking most of the curve shape which TMRS could achieve; but you might want to experiment with other developers. I have used PMK pyro for TMax 400 all along, and can't think of anything better in overall performance when it comes to tray development its sheet film sizes, as well as hand-inversion drums for roll film (PMK isn't suitable for aggressive rotary drum development). I shoot TMY400 in sizes all the way from 35mm to 8x10. But any common developer will work reasonably well with TMY if adjusted appropriately.

If you go with regular TMax Developer, don't expect it to necessarily duplicate the longer straight line achievable with higher concentration TMRS at higher temp. Being that critical is not always important in general photography; but you should at least be aware of the distinction.
 
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Sirius Glass

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Don_ih said:
Use Xtol - or the make-it-yourself variety. There seems to be nothing better.
Click to expand...

XTOL and its equivalents have the following characteristics which you may find useful: fine grain, smooth tonality, sharpness and is a very forgiving developer.

 

Craig

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Milpool said:
I suggest reading the link I posted above as it summarizes the history of this particular issue and the explanation the folks at Kodak came up with based on their analysis.
Click to expand...

I did read it, and that's the first I've heard of oxidation of film being a problem. D76, Xtol and Microphen all seem immune to this effect, and each has a different developing agent, I'm curious what is different in Tmax developer to cause that effect.
 

DREW WILEY

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You need to recognize that the initial formulation of TMRS in relation to sheet film had some VERY precise applications in mind, especially with respect to precision matched color separations and accessory masks for use in dye transfer printing. Those requirements are more demanding on consistent negative development than what is needed for ordinary
black and white photography. They actually wanted to exceed the results formerly attained by Super-XX film in conjunction with HC-110. And that demanded that TMRS be used full strength at 75F in order to achieve the straightest characteristic curve possible. Apparently, ordinary TMax developer can't reliably withstand that without side effects.

In commercial labs dedicated to that color process, sheet film was conventionally developed in volume on hangers by hand, in replenished tanks. This was another key consideration. You need to look at it from that standpoint, not just the requirements of people like us. These were production lines, with particular individuals assigned to particular tasks - in this case developing lots and lots of sheet film in a very consistent manner. But there were also labs which standardized on their own preferred developers, less expensive than Kodak's new recommendation.
 

Paul Howell

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I think your right on, it has been so long that commercial labs needed films and chemistry for color and other work we just focus on standard black and white roles.
 
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