I've recently shot a few rolls of TMZ 3200 and processed it in HC-110 (dilution B). I'm finding that using the recommended Kodak development times for 3200, I get really thin negatives. If I use the times/temps for 6400, things look much better. I'm pretty sure I got the exposure right for 3200 as I shot using both the in camera TTL meter and an incident meter to confirm exposure.

Has anyone else noticed a similar problem?

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), November 28, 1998

Answers

I can't speak for HC-110. I use T-Max developer, with the film rated at EI 800. At 25 deg C, Kodak suggest 6.5 minutes, but (for me) it really needs 9.5 minutes (which is the Kodak time for EI 3200).

Either Kodak use funny water, or their definition of EI is different to mine ("Zone I is density 0.1 above fb+f).

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), November 30, 1998.

All films must be tested! I rate TMZ at 1600. The lower the speed, the better the shadow detail. In general, I find that the manufacturer's speed ratings are fantasy: if I want good shadow detail, I expose at 1/4 the rated speed and pull the development. That seems about right for the kind of negatives I like.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), December 01, 1998.