Julian H Posted January 27, 2018 Share #1 Posted January 27, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi I have no 400 speed in the freezer so decided do to try something different, TMax400. I have never used a T grain film before, only HP5, FP4 and PlusX. Is there a good staple starting point for a developer. Not particularly worried about grain, just a nice sharp easy to print/scan negative with good tonality and would appreciate some pointers. Also,does TMax benefit from a prewash? Cheers, Julian Edited January 27, 2018 by Julian H Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 27, 2018 Posted January 27, 2018 Hi Julian H, Take a look here Developer recommendation for TMax400. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Paulus Posted January 27, 2018 Share #2 Posted January 27, 2018 Hi Julian, I use Tmax devolloper and films for over 20 Years now. Just follow the instructions on the bottle or package. You'll be fine. If you use prewash, if that is rinsing the film before developing it. It will make a difference but I never saw it. I just use the Tmax for the minutes prescribed on the bottle and use water instead of stop bath between developing and fixing ( no more than a minute ) It's important to keep you temperature of the developer on 20 degrees C. if you start . With 24 degrees everything just goes a little faster. You will notice if you use the Tmax film, that it will keep a little purple after the final rinsing if this happens. Just rise some more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 27, 2018 Share #3 Posted January 27, 2018 I haven't done too much with the T-grain films, but have liked the Ilford Delta films better than Kodak, using DD-X developer, which should work well for TMax also.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted January 27, 2018 Share #4 Posted January 27, 2018 Every developer works with Tmax, I only know that the result with Tmax developer and Tmax film is ideal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted January 28, 2018 Share #5 Posted January 28, 2018 What have you available to choose from, what is your current "go to" combination ? I have found Pyrocat HD to be a good choice with T-Max 400 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted January 28, 2018 Share #6 Posted January 28, 2018 T max developer ore Rodinal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted January 28, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi I realise I can process it in anything, I was hoping for a sweetspot combination consensus of opinion to get me up and running. My go to developer is Rodinal [usually used with HP5 and FP4] but fancied trying something new. After phoning around all the camera dealers I can think that might have some developer that I could have actually gone and picked up from yesterday* only one had stock, of LC29 and Ilfosol 3, I suspect neither of these are more suited to TMax than what I already have in stock** I'll probably order DDX or TMax, or please convince me I should use something I already have in stock? * I wanted to support a dealer if i could. Respect to Clocktower Cameras in Brighton for stocking two developers! ** I have a sealed 1L pack of XTol in the cupboard, not sure if it is any good though? And if I like the combination, I am going to be reluctant to buy more if only available in 5L packs now though. I also have 1L packs of ID11 and Perceptol. Cheers, Julian Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted January 28, 2018 Share #8 Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) Hi I realise I can process it in anything, I was hoping for a sweetspot combination consensus of opinion to get me up and running. My go to developer is Rodinal [usually used with HP5 and FP4] but fancied trying something new. After phoning around all the camera dealers I can think that might have some developer that I could have actually gone and picked up from yesterday* only one had stock, of LC29 and Ilfosol 3, I suspect neither of these are more suited to TMax than what I already have in stock** I'll probably order DDX or TMax, or please convince me I should use something I already have in stock? * I wanted to support a dealer if i could. Respect to Clocktower Cameras in Brighton for stocking two developers! ** I have a sealed 1L pack of XTol in the cupboard, not sure if it is any good though? And if I like the combination, I am going to be reluctant to buy more if only available in 5L packs now though. I also have 1L packs of ID11 and Perceptol. Cheers, Julian Julian, why not order a bottle of Tmax developer in the Netherlands here: https://webshop.hetbeeldgebouw.nl/kodak-t-max-filmontwikkelaar-voor-5-ltr or here; http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl They ship to the United Kindom, select " Groot Brittanië " . Try the 1 Liter bottle to make 5 liter ( so you can devellope about 160 to 320 films with it , if you read the instructions well ) and then you know how Tmax films reacts with Tmax developer. I did like the proces so much, that I never used Rodinal again. Xtol is a good developer with Tmax. If it's sealed it stays fresh for years, in powder form. But also the Tmax deveolper is great in conservation. A bottle of 4 year over date will give you just fine results. Even a bottle which is opened and closed again, letting the air out as much as you can, still gives good results after a year. ( providing you keep it cool and in the dark, which is no problem with my darkroom: It's a cellar see: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186432-show-us-your-darkroom/?p=2113423 Edited January 28, 2018 by Paulus 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted January 30, 2018 Share #9 Posted January 30, 2018 I use Rodinal (R09) at 1:50 for 12 - 12-1/2 minutes quite happily (because that’s what I have). As you already have Rodinal, maybe try it first? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted February 2, 2018 Hi I can get TMax or DDX quite easily here thanks. I was mistaken I thought that with the newer films a lot of recommendations would be for newer tech developers to match but it seems far from conclusive. I am going to give XTol and Rodinal a bash first since I have them and see how I get on. Hoping the first roll tomorrow so fingers crossed! Julian 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted February 3, 2018 Share #11 Posted February 3, 2018 Hi I can get TMax or DDX quite easily here thanks. I was mistaken I thought that with the newer films a lot of recommendations would be for newer tech developers to match but it seems far from conclusive. I am going to give XTol and Rodinal a bash first since I have them and see how I get on. Hoping the first roll tomorrow so fingers crossed! Julian Maybe this will help also? http://www.imx.nl/photo/Film/styled-41/ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobbu2 Posted February 6, 2018 Share #12 Posted February 6, 2018 Just to reiterate that many developers work, I’ve used both D-76 and HC-110 dilution B, which is what I use now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H Posted February 6, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted February 6, 2018 Paulus, thanks for the link. Regrettably I didn't finish my roll at the weekend so I'll try next weekend. Looking forward to seeing the results on this "new to me" film. although my M4-2 is now playing up on slow speeds so needs a service. I think Ill mix up the Xtol first, just for fun though. I wish I never sold my LS5000 scanner now! Thanks, Julian 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 6, 2018 Share #14 Posted February 6, 2018 I first tried TMax 100 in Rodinal, but was not impressed compared to PanF in Rodinal. I since switched to the Delta T-grain films in DD-X which gave nice results. Perhaps more experimenting with a Rodinal would have been fine. I still use Rodinal for PanF, which is what I use most. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted February 18, 2018 Tom, what dilution did you use the Rodinal? Perhaps you should have experimented a bit more like you say. Sorry for the delay replying to this thread. I finished my first roll last weekend and started another straight away so wanted to get the second one out and process both together. I have mixed up my 1L pack of XTol and have a few queries. Firstly and most importantly a very small "pinch" of the yellow powder did not dissolve in the water, no matter how much I stirred [water was about 25degC]. I have strained it out but wonder if that will have an effect on the correct make up of the developer? I suspect not but would appreciate if anyone else has had the problem? Assuming the above is okay, I would appreciate a recommendation of what dilution for TMax? Finally, hoping that this works well, does anyone part mix the currently available 5L packs of developer up, say in 2 halves? Cheers, Julian Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted February 18, 2018 Share #16 Posted February 18, 2018 Hi, Julian. I can't speak for your combination, but I usually start with Massive Development Chart recommendations and then adjust from there, based on results. I tend to prefer the longer times of greater dilutions. For T-Max 400 w/ Xtol: https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=Kodak+TMax+400&Developer=Xtol&mdc=Search&TempUnits=C Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 18, 2018 Share #17 Posted February 18, 2018 I'm with EoinC, dilutions great enough to allow at least 12 minutes development. Rodinal and D76 1:1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share #18 Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) Hi I referred to the massive dev chart. I did Xtol 1+1 for 10mins at 21degrees and have a lovely set of perfectly exposed films! Now I need to get them scanned... One note, being so used to using Rodinal it is so easy to get the temperature right with 1+19/29 etc. With 1+1 it is a PITA. I will have to start thinking ahead and make myself a temperature controlled bath. Cheers, Julian Edited February 19, 2018 by Julian H 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.