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Should I wean myself off Tri-X now?


traveler_101

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I have been developing my own film for a few months now. I have tried three different films Tri-X, T-Max and also Foma 100. I got the T-Max because I read that it was was sharper or something. Well, I don't like it, whether developed in XTOL by the lab or in D-76 by me. Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal (R09) is better.

 

Ok, here's the thing: in terms of tone and "look" what I really like and want to shoot more of is Tri-X developed in D-76. Yeah, I know it's not very original-but I like the results.

 

Here's the question for all you Tri-X users and former users out there: do I buy more of it now while it's still available, or do I switch now, accepting and anticipating the inevitable demise of Kodak? What have you done / been thinking of doing? If I were to switch films what should replace Tri-X?

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Carpe Diem!

 

"Do not go gentle into that good night, ..... Rage, rage against the dying of the light"

 

"Under the wide and starry sky

Dig the grave and let me lie;

Gladly did I live and gladly die,

And I lay me down with a will."

 

or, on short - use it* and love it while you've got it....

 

*Tri-X

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I fell in love with Plus-X many years ago and recently bought a bunch and put it on ice (so to speak). I believe I would do the same for Tri-X if Kodak announces that they are dropping it. Until then, just buy enough to use before it expires too badly, or keep it on ice too.

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Stock up on Tri-X and keep it in a deep freeze - film will keep for years past the develop by date if stored this way. If I had a spare $4000USD lounging about, I would order 1000 rolls of Tri-X or maybe $4000 of Tri-X in 100 foot bulk cans.

 

If you really like D76, stock up on it, too. Just put the packs in gallon size ziplock freezer bags and store it at room temperature.

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Get it and use it. If disappears, then perhaps you will feel what some of us feel because Kodak has changed Tri-X in our own lifetimes. It is not what it once was. Strike three coming up - someday.

 

Enjoy.

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There is an argument to say that Kodak have basically told their customers where to go and they (we) should be supporting companies that do believe that film has a future.

 

Ilford springs to mind as do the smaller European manufacturers.

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There is an argument to say that Kodak have basically told their customers where to go and they (we) should be supporting companies that do believe that film has a future.

 

Ilford springs to mind as do the smaller European manufacturers.

 

I personally find the tonalities of Ilford's version of Portra 160 rather drab.

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There is an argument to say that Kodak have basically told their customers where to go and they (we) should be supporting companies that do believe that film has a future.

 

Ilford springs to mind as do the smaller European manufacturers.

 

Well, yes: Kodak became a typical large American corporation driven by "professional" managers who prefer marketing-driven decisions and financing provided by Wall Street with the inevitable "strings" attached. They were "thinking big" when they decided to throw aside the profitable parts of their business (film) in favor of an "entrepreneurial venture" in printers (LOL). This is not meant as an anti-American statement (I am American), but as a criticism of corporate capitalism and especially of Wall Street.

 

Therefore, yes, one impulse is to walk away (thus this thread), but another side of me holds on to hope that Kodak will sell off their film division to an interested party and I will be able to continue to buy American.

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I have been developing my own film for a few months now. I have tried three different films Tri-X, T-Max and also Foma 100. I got the T-Max because I read that it was was sharper or something. Well, I don't like it, whether developed in XTOL by the lab or in D-76 by me. Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal (R09) is better.

 

Ok, here's the thing: in terms of tone and "look" what I really like and want to shoot more of is Tri-X developed in D-76. Yeah, I know it's not very original-but I like the results.

 

Here's the question for all you Tri-X users and former users out there: do I buy more of it now while it's still available, or do I switch now, accepting and anticipating the inevitable demise of Kodak? What have you done / been thinking of doing? If I were to switch films what should replace Tri-X?

 

Tri-X Pan is Kodak's biggest selling B&W film, but I don't use it any more.

 

Fuji Neopan 400 is very similar, but I like it even better. Ilford HP5 Plus is also very good.

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freeze a nice supply un airtight containers.

 

D76 is one of the most easy developers to compound yourself. A half decent scale is needed. Keep the metol in small containers as it will oxidize. Sealed from air, I have kept some for decades. Metol and Hydroquinone come from Photographers formulary. Borax is "20 mule Team" from the laundry aisle. $2 buys a ten lifetime supply. Sodium sulfite come from The Chemistry Store" , I got a 2 gal tub for $50. Mix up a liter at a time for about $1 per liter. Put into small one time use bottles and the batch is good for 6 months.

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Stock up and enjoy....shot a roll today on my CL....just love the stuff:)

 

andy

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Stock up and enjoy....shot a roll today on my CL....just love the stuff:)

 

andy

 

What do you rate it at and what do you develop it in, Andy. My last roll I rated it at ISO 200 and developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 9 minutes (on the basis that it would give negs more suitable for scanning). M7, C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 + medium yellow filter. Typical result from the roll:-

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