TMAX 400 pushed to 1600 in TMAX RS of Tri X/Diafine?

[GarageBoy]

As my stock of TMZ is waning down, I need a 1600 speed solution
Going to be used indoors, occasionally contrasty lighting (think bar shots)

Is one or the other going to be better for that situation?

thanks
I do love the super clean TMAX look, but am I sacrificing anything over the Tri X/Diafine combo?

 

[markbarendt]

+1 Delta 3200

 

[K-G]

Many years ago when Tmax 400 wasn't TMY II but just TMY , I tried to push it to 1600 ISO with Tmax RS developer with excelent result. For absolutely best result I would also recomend Ilford Delta 3200 exposed at 1600 ISO and developed for 3200 ISO in Ilford DD-X developer.

Karl-Gustaf

 

[whlogan]

Stay with Diafine and about 5:6 and you'll better off.

Logan

 

[GarageBoy]

Thanks
what are the advantages to each?

 

[markbarendt]

The advantage of Delta 3200 is that it is more sensitive which means more shadow detail than the combos you suggested.

Neither of the two combos you suggest have any big technical advantage over the other. But one is not better than the other and they can both produce prints that are very very similar. The combos you suggest are both workable, both capable of fine results, and to be blunt, seem to be pretty arbitrary choices.

Your question is a lot like asking "us" if "you" would like sweetened or unsweetened tea with your lunch today?

Sure, there are differences, like Tmax RS will allow you more flexibility and control of contrast rate than Diafine and in theory Diafine will "compensate" bringing shadows up and highlights down.

The big question is will those differences matter to you? You will have to test and print each for yourself to see if it matters.