Tri-X developed in TMax Dev or alternatives (no Rodinal)

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I have shot the current iteration of Tri-X and developed it in Tmax Developer with good results. It seemed a little less grainy than D-76 1+1 but the midtone gradation seemed a little flatter when developed to the same overall contrast level. I prefer D-76 1+1, not only for Tri-X, biut even for Tmax 100 and Tmax 400. Tmax Developer really shines with the Tmax 3200 film and it is excellent with Ilford Delta 400 and Delta 3200, too.

That said, if you want a liquid developer and don't want to mess with powders, Tmax Developer is not bad. For Tri-X you might prefer HC-110 though.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hello Chris, good to hear from you... I hope your son is doing well. I haven't seen recent portraits of him in your site: it would be nice to see a few any time soon. Your film/developer examples have always been great.
Good to know about Delta400 in TMaxDev... Thanks!

 

[TomR55]

Interesting thread. I process Tri-X in Claytons 1 + 9 (per their literature, 5:30 at 24 degrees C). I assume that using 1 + 7 requires a slightly shorter development time?

 

[pkupcik]

I have found the combination of Trix and Tmax developer too difficult to control contrast. I could have probably tried harder to optimize the development technique for this combination, but have instead switched to PyrocatHD, which worked great.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I shoot Tmax 400 and have use both Tmax and DDX with good results. Tmax developer is an acutance type developer which works well with Tmax films that have much finer grain. Lately I have been given a few rolls of TriX which I've developed in Clayton F76+ which is similar to D76 and HC 110 in terms of results, balance of grain, speed, and acutance. You can also use ILford's version of HC 110 ILford Ilfotec HC, I have not used as it is really expensive here in the U.S.

North Coast Photo in Carlsbad, CA, which I often use to develop Tmax 100 and Tmax 400 uses Clayton F76 standardly. LTI Photo in NYC uses XTOL standardly for developer. (They will do other developers you want at an extra set-up fee). Good luck on whatever you decide.

Tmax 400 in 35mm and 4x5 samples-I believe all developed by North Coast in Clayton: https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...&tags=tmax400&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I found this chart that compares developers as to grain, sharpness, and shadow detail. Maybe it will help you.
https://lavidaleica.com/content/choosing-bw-film-developer

 

[Betweenwaters]

Here’s an edited shot of Tri-X in TMax 1+4. The contrast is bumped up a bit.

 

[GregY]

Tri-X negatives look pretty fine in Pyrocat HD.....just sayin'.....

 

[JensH]

Tri-X negatives look pretty fine in Pyrocat HD.....just sayin'.....

... and in PMK, too.

 

[GregY]

... and in PMK, too.

Yes !

 

[GregY]

Just happened to be in the darkroom. These two prints on the same roll....one shaded light, one harsh mid afternoon sun..... Tri-X in Pyrocat HD ....Leica M & Canon 28mm f.28 LTM (not the sharpest lens in the drawer, but i like the character).

 

[koraks]

Here’s an edited shot of Tri-X in TMax 1+4. The contrast is bumped up a bit.

Very nice! And welcome aboard!

 

[Betweenwaters]

Very nice! And welcome aboard!

Thank you kindly!