Can anyone tell me how to get lots of grain in my negs? I'm using 120 roll film and I actually WANT grain for some photos.

Without resulting to digital manipulation or texture screens, is there a way to get lots of grain during development?

I remember something about excessive agitation during the developing stage but I'm not 100% sure.

Any help would be great!

Thanks in advance, Dayved Moore

-- Dayved Moore (dmoore17@ix.netcom.com), April 28, 1999

Answers

First of all, don't use T-Max. Use a fast old-tech film like Tri-X. Push it a couple of stops (I used to get major grain in TX by exposing at 1600 and double-length developing it in stock D-76). You could also try using paper developer, or a high-power/medium-grain developer like DK-50. Agitate A LOT during development to really bring out the grain (I once made the mistake of developing Minox film by hand, seesawing it in a tray; the continuous agitation produced major grain.) You could also try using higher development temperatures to borderline overdevelop in order to make the grain more pronounced.

And consider using a smaller negative. Either just enlarge a small part of your 120 negative, or do it in 35mm. And half-frame 35mm or submini formats (16mm, Minox 9.5mm, etc.) are even grainier...

Hope this helps!

-- Michael Goldfarb (mgoldfar@mobius-inc.com), April 29, 1999.

Tri-X as 1600 ISO in Neutol 1+26, 7', gives an infrared-film-like amount of grain.

-- Lot (lotw@wxs.nl), April 30, 1999.

You can try also TMZ in Rodinal. It has the advantage over other combinations that the grain is not just very large, but it's pin sharp too. E.

-- Evgeni Poptoshev (evgeni.poptoshev@surfchem.kth.se), April 30, 1999.

Try Agfa 400 in Rodinal. If you want grain, you'll have lots with this combo, not to mention super apparent sharpness. Don't use it for female portraiture, tho!!

-- John Payton (jmp@mpinet.net), May 22, 1999.

Dayved,

Try Kodak 2475 Recording Film. This is what was used for surveillance before TMZ arrived on the scene. It's a variable speed film which can be shot anywhere from 1000 to 4000, according to Kodak. I've shot it at 1000 and developed it in straight D-76 which resulted in golfball sized grain and medium to high contrast, depending on the development times. Check the insert for times and temps. Have fun!

Walter

-- Walter Massa (Massacam@aol.com), May 24, 1999.