Maximum Detail with 35mm TMax100 (TMX)

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In trying to get the maximum detail from 35mm TMX, I've tried Rodinal, TMax (not RS), and D-76 1:1. So far the runaway winner is Rodinal 1+49. Next I plan to try PMK, even though it isn't reported to be a very good combination. I'd appreciate any other suggestions for maximum sharpness, grain not being a consideration.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), February 19, 2001

Answers

Also try D-76 1:3 and Rodinal 1:100.

I think D-76 1:3 would carry finer detail while Rodinal 1:100 would have a little more acutance.

Also you might try TFX-2, although to me it looks identical to Rodinal 1:100.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), February 19, 2001.


Thanks, John. I think you're right, what I'm looking for is maximum acutance, not necessarily max details. It's also important to mantain film speed, otherwise I might as well use TechPan.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), February 19, 2001.

I get the full EI 100 with Rodinal 1:100, TFX-2 and D-76H 1:3. Your mileage may vary.

TMX in Rodinal 1:100 and TFX-2 look alike to me, plus curve shapes and EIs are identical. Both these developers give a slight shoulder; if you don't want that, the addition of 12g/L sodium sulfite to the Rodinal working solution straightens it out a bit with no other effects.

TMX always looks a little weird to me with its lower acutance; I know it's sharp but it never looks particularly sharp. I prefer Delta 100 in D-76H 1:3.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), February 19, 2001.


After trying a variety of things, Rodinal 1:49 gave me the best results- I didn't try higher dilutions. In 35mm the grain seemed excessive for a fine grain 100 speed film, but at least the results looked reasonably sharp and the tonal quality was decent. I have to agree with John though, TMX never looks quite right to me, in fact once you recognize its "signature" it's easy to spot photos that were taken with it.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), February 20, 2001.

Well, that makes three of us who don't care for the TMAX look. Guess I'd better rethink the project. Not quite sure where to start, I'll have to cogitate on it for a while. Thanks for the advise so far. Mitch.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), February 20, 2001.


I've never thought that Tmax gave its best with acutance type developers. I'd rather use a solvent type developer like Ilfosol or D-76, and get better tonality at the expense of a bit of sharpness.
Try FP4+ Bill, I think it'll give you as much sharpness as you want, with a full rated 125 ISO speed.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), February 20, 2001.

Hey John, what do you mean by 'the addition of sodium sulfite straighten rodinal a little bit'?

I think the best solution is to forgo Tmax; it's the ugliest film available!

-- xosni (xosni@gega.net), February 20, 2001.


> straighten rodinal

While the curve shape of TMX in "standard" developers is pretty much dead straight, Rodinal 1:100 causes a mild shoulder (decreasing highlight contrast).

This can be good in that it could make highlights easier to print without extensive burning-in.

Otoh, if you want the usual TMX curve shape, the addition of a little sodium sulfite to the Rodinal working solution straightens out the shoulder, at least out to 2.25DU, the limit I ever measure. A straight curve shape could be good when working in very low-contrast lighting, using TMX for masks etc.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), February 20, 2001.


Xtol 1:2 (distilled water) with TMX gives good acutance if you don't mind the possible risk of a bad batch; so far I have been lucky.

-- matt veld (mahv@xtra.co.nz), February 21, 2001.

I was just looking at a book by John Sexton on trees. He uses TMX most of the time and the results are spectacular. The book was at Borders. I think he also did the cover shot on Kodak's film catalog right after they introduced the stuff, and it too was incredible. The key seems to be shoot 4x5, though I think the catalog shot (girl on chair) might have been 35mm.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), February 21, 2001.


If in the future you want to talk about DETAIL you should first have tried (at least once) the new GIGABIT FILM it is a 40 ASA BW, which comes with it's own developper.

http://www.gigabtitfilm.de (englisch, french, german)

You will see talking "detail" without consideration for Gigabitfilm will make you a fool. Sorry...

-- Francois-Xavier Weiss (fxweiss@multigestion.net), March 02, 2001.


> GIGABIT

a) It's been about six months and they still haven't bothered to translate the web site into English.

b) I can't read German, but as far as I can tell Gigabitfilm is available only (maybe) in Germany.

c) This isn't about Gigabitfilm, Tech Pan, specially-developed microfilm or the new Fuji 100.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), March 02, 2001.


> Sexton

Doesn't he usually use T-Max RS, often at higher than usual dilutions?

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), March 02, 2001.


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