Tri-X at 1600? Actually, yeah...surprisingly good

summicron1 · Jan 11, 2014

I've been experimenting recently with pushing tri-x to 1600, developed in d-76, 1:1, at 68 degrees for 12.5 minutes, exactly what Kodak recommends, and have been pleasantly surprised with the results -- not grainy at all, even at 11 by 14 from a 35mm negative.

Really a vast improvement from what it was like the last time I tried that, somewhere back in the 70s.

This is a typical example -- the actual print has slightly better tonal range...i have a rather cheap scanner.

RattyMouse · Jan 11, 2014

Are you developing with 1:1?

clayne · Jan 12, 2014

It's not really going to get massively grainier, it's usually just going to get contrastier as shadow detail is lost. Thing is, sometimes this is perfectly fine and acceptable for the given type of photograph.

400TX can be pushed to 3200 as well. Best results found with XTOL 1+1 by far; but D-76 is no slouch.

summicron1 · Jan 12, 2014

yes, 1:1 --- i notice the highlights seem brighter. I wouldn't use this for everything, obviously, but for interiors on these dark winter nights it's handy .... or for using my older slower lenses.

i was actually quite impressed with how well it held mid-tonal range stuff.

Jeff Kubach · Jan 12, 2014

I think it looks good.

Jeff

gone · Jan 12, 2014

I'm constantly amazed at how well that film performs at most any ISO and in most any developer (although D76 is my favorite). On the other end, I sometimes shoot it at 100 or even 50 ISO and develop in D76 and it looks just great.

RattyMouse · Jan 12, 2014

Anyone tri HP5 like this? How does it compare to the Kodak?

presspass · Jan 12, 2014

I would also like to know how well HP5 works at 1600 and 3200 with D-76. Anyone?

ME Super · Jan 12, 2014

HP5+ reportedly pushes well all the way to 3200. I actually like HP5+ slightly better than Tri-X for black and white photography.

effae · Jan 12, 2014

Nice post, I've recently shot a roll of tri-x @ 1600, and was contemplating on how to approach the development. This gave me confidence to start out with the recommended times by kodak!

summicron1 · Jan 12, 2014

effae said:
Nice post, I've recently shot a roll of tri-x @ 1600, and was contemplating on how to approach the development. This gave me confidence to start out with the recommended times by kodak!

I had, as i said, excellent results with 1:1 D-76 for 12.5 minutes at 68 degrees, precisely what the instructions said to do.

Tri-X at 1600? Actually, yeah...surprisingly good

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