Tri-X 400 or TMax 400?

[Pasto]

I use exclusively TMY-2 in 120 (xtol straight), and TMX in 4x5 (xtol 1:1). I like TMY-2 so much I'm considering uising it for 4x5 as well. In the past, I used tri-x in 35mm and 120. I find the gradation and tonality of TMY-2 much more pleasing to my eye than tri-x. (I don't shoot black and white in 35mm anymore)

 

[Don Wallace]

This may be the place to ask my question about TXP 320. I hope I am not hijacking this thread. If so, just tell me to shove off.

I shoot 4x5 to 8x10 but also 120. My main film is FP4, but recently I wanted a little more headroom in my 120 shooting and since I don't like HP5, I decided to try Tri-X, which I used ages ago in 35mm. I developed it in D-76 and I was really disappointed. Now, maybe I have been spoiled by FP4 in the larger formats, but the TXP seemed awfully grainy to me. Do you folks who like Tri-X just accept the grain as part of the look?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I've run a few rolls of TXP and to me it seems grainier than the TX400. But I haven't really done any side by side prints to compare.

But then again, I like grain in my pictures so I never reflect upon it too much. Instead step back a foot or two from the print and look at tonality and impact. Tonality will scream at you from across the room and pull you in, while grain tends to do the opposite; it disappears.

 

[Don Wallace]

Instead step back a foot or two from the print and look at tonality and impact. Tonality will scream at you from across the room and pull you in, while grain tends to do the opposite; it disappears.

Thomas, this is a very good point. I looked at your photos and see what you mean (it is always better when advice is backed up by experience and results - your photos are very nice indeed and demonstrate your point well!).

I only noticed the grain because I was making a contact sheet with my scanner. I probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise. I will do some proper prints and stand back from them a little before making up my mind on this.

Too much technology...