Can anyone suggest starting points for developer times/iso for using 4x5 Technical pan in landscape and natural light portraiture? I have used it for extreme expansion--times when the meter needles barely moves - and have excellent results when using it in TmaxRS, Fg7 or even D-76. But my attempts at using the ilm under N or N+/- 1/2 situations have crashed and burned. I like the clarity of the negs but have yet to master using the film in any but extreme circumstances.

-- Bob Moulton (bmoulton@icc.cc.il.us), February 29, 2000

Answers

Tech Pan is the finickiest, yet most versatile, of all the Kodak emulsions. I'm surprised more folks don't use it... well maybe I'm not surprised. It has some interesting quirks that are compounded at time of exposure and development depending on the situation, i.e. whether you want high contrast or low contrast and the speed at which you are rating the film. A data sheet for 4415 is published in Kodak's publication Kodak Professional Bland and White Film (Publication F-5) and may be available on their web site.

One note: they recommend Technidol Liquid Developer for pictorial applications (low contrast, develop: 5 to 11 min, EI: 16 to 25).

When you say "crashed and burned", what exactly do you mean?

-- Chad Jarvis (cjarvis@nas.edu), March 01, 2000.

Try this formula with Tech Pan, which avoids the problems of phenidone:

T/O XDR-4 (modified)

metol 1g sodium sulfite 20g sodium bicarbonate 10g

to make 1 liter

Use undiluted, try 8-12 min. at 68.

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), March 01, 2000.

"Bland & White"? Freudian Slip there Chad?

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), March 01, 2000.

Bland and White - I don't have any idea where that came from... except maybe most of MY PHOTOS!

-- Chad Jarvis (cjarvis@nas.edu), March 03, 2000.