Tri-X at EI 200

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Hi,

I wish to expose Tri-X EI 400 rated film at EI 200 to get more shadow details. I head that Sebastiao Salgado does it. My question is: how? Should I set the camera's lightmeter to 200 and develop as if it were at 400, trusting film latitude, or give it less time into the developer?

-- Rodrigo Feher (feher@pobox.com), July 23, 2000

Answers

You should make some adjustments through testing, to determine the developing time and/or chmeicals that suit your needs. For example, for years I used Microdol-X (1+3 dilution) with Tri-X, for 10.5 minutes at 75 degrees F. This is an adjustment from published times, and it suited me. I have used Xtol 1+3, and found the published times okay, but maybe a little short (slightly flat negatives). I have made some experiments with other formulas and found still other good ones. The key is to find film/developer combinations that work for you.

-- Sam (sselkind@home.com), July 23, 2000.

Tri-X in Microdol 1:3 rated at ei 250 using Kodaks' published times was my standard for many years. Test your equipment to arrive at your own system times and speed.

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), July 23, 2000.

TriX EI 400 (but I use 250...its the way I meter) in Rodinal @ 1+100 at 68 degrees for 20 minutes...constant aggitation for the first 1 minute then 1 inversion every 30 seconds...great shadow detail...wonderful tone, (to tonal for the Salagdo look?)...very sharp...very good looking grain...easy to print...try it...jim

-- Jim Vanson (primary_colors@hotmail.com), July 30, 2000.

Rodrigo, What you have heard about Salgado shooting Tri-x at 200 is not the whole story. He shoots his film at whatever ISO is necessary for the situation he is shooting in and then has the film developed according to that ISO. 200, 400, 800, 1200, etc. Adding development time for the higher ISO's and less for the lower ISO's. But these changes are all based upon having established a "normal" developing time at a normal ISO.If what you are really looking for is more shadow detail then establish a proper development time for the films actual ISO and expose for more shadow detail. There is no real need to change the ISO to acheive more shadow detail. Just make sure that you are exposing properly.

-- jim megargee (jmegargee@nyc.rr.com), July 31, 2000.

I use TRI X in my 4 x5 rated at 200 and develop in HC110 at 20 degrees C for 6 minutes.

I get good negatives.

I do mostly landscapes.

I am not Sagaldo, but I dont think the film/EI I use is the problem.

Irv kuntz

-- Irving Kuntz (irvkuntz@aol.com), August 03, 2000.



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