Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/03

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Subject: [Leica] tri-x and microdol-x
From: robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier)
Date: Tue Jan 3 10:54:20 2006
References: <000401c61080$67ed96c0$656c0e44@newukolbqveo9i><EC5D3613-7B16-4D58-BDFB-5FBA204D33A3@pandora.be> <a2f8f4470601031040y260173bbw2476983424c06d@mail.gmail.com>

Daniel,

The December issue of Black and White Photography also has one of my 
pictures in it, on page 51.

Bob



> Philippe,
>
> Have you ever seen the magazine "Black and White Photography" from the UK?
>
> http://www.gmcpubs.com
>
> In the current, December 2005, issue there is an article about fine
> grain developers. They run through the merits and disadvantages of
> Microdol-X, Adox ADX, Calbe A49/Adox ATM49 (both are Agfa Atomal),
> Tetenal Ultrafin Plus and Mac LP-Cube XS.
>
> Most of what has been said about Microdol-X has already been said here.
>
> I don't know where the idea comes from that Tri-X is grainy. The 400TX
> is one of Kodak's most fine-grained films (TMX probably beats it out,
> but I doubt if much else does). Don't give up on the obvious before
> you dive into esoteric concoctions. Diluted D76 or Xtol will get you a
> long way. My print for round 4 of the print exchange was Tri-X and D76
> 1:1. I don't think it is grainy.
>
> Best,
> Daniel
>
>
> On 1/3/06, Philippe Orlent <philippe.orlent@pandora.be> wrote:
>> Thank you all for the input.
>>
>> But concluding after my initial question:
>> 1) Better don't combine Tri-X with Microdol X because the developer
>> counteracts on the speed and grain of the emulsion, thus on the
>> character of the film.
>> 2) But if you do, expose the Tri-X at ISO 200, dilute the Microdol 1
>> to 3, and search the web (f.i. on http://www.digitaltruth.com/
>> devchart.html) for correct development times since Kodak's times stink.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Op 3-jan-06, om 17:11 heeft Jeffery Smith het volgende geschreven:
>>
>> > I've seen a few respectable pictures taken with Tri-X and Rodinal.
>> > I've
>> > never ventured into that combo, but I may try it using a bit of
>> > overdevelopment like you suggest. It is next to impossible to get
>> > Rodinal
>> > down here for a decent price. I think I'll try Photographer's
>> > Formulary
>> > generic Rodinal.
>> >
>> > Jeffery Smith
>> > New Orleans, LA
>> > http://www.400tx.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: lug-bounces+jsmith342=cox.net@leica-users.org
>> > [mailto:lug-bounces+jsmith342=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
>> > Dan
>> > States
>> > Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 8:16 AM
>> > To: lug@leica-users.org
>> > Subject: RE: [Leica] tri-x and microdol-x
>> >
>> >
>> > Microdol x used at recommended times does reduce film speed, but
>> > when shot
>> > at 250 and developement is extended it produces proper negative
>> > density.  I
>> > have found that much of what I used to call poor resolution was
>> > actually
>> > underdevelopement.  Tri-x needs to be fully developed or the sharpness
>> > impression is reduced.  The problem with high accutance developers
>> > like
>> > FX-39 and Ilfosol s is the granularity increase is very
>> > unattractive at
>> > greater than 5x enlargement.  (FX-39 is really not even recomended
>> > for high
>> > speed film.)
>> >
>> > Considering that maximum resolution on hand held photography is
>> > rarely more
>> > than 60lp Tri-x is capable of all the sharpness you could need.  The
>> > reduction of grain appearance is, in my opinion, more important to
>> > final
>> > image quality with that film.
>> >
>> > So far I have found Kodak's rec development times to be total
>> > crap.  Nearly
>> > all thier films require 15-30% more developement time than their
>> > website
>> > states.
>> >
>> > In the end, you should try microdol, d76, xtol, DDX, rodinal and other
>> > developers.  They are not expensive, and you will be able to find
>> > what works
>> >
>> > best for you...plus, it's fun!
>> >
>> > best wishes
>> > Dan
>> >
>> >> From: "Jeffery Smith" <jsmith342@cox.net>
>> >> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
>> >> To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org>
>> >> Subject: RE: [Leica] tri-x and microdol-x
>> >> Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2006 07:09:45 -0600
>> >>
>> >> I found that the grain-dissolving action of Microdol-X left very
>> >> little
>> >> snap
>> >> in the images. It even made Panatomic-X look bad. My advice would
>> >> be....don't use.
>> >>
>> >> Jeffery Smith
>> >> New Orleans, LA
>> >> http://www.400tx.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: lug-bounces+jsmith342=cox.net@leica-users.org
>> >> [mailto:lug-bounces+jsmith342=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
>> >> Philippe
>> >> Orlent
>> >> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 3:40 PM
>> >> To: LUG Group
>> >> Subject: [Leica] tri-x and microdol-x
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Just bought both to see how they combine.
>> >> But having never worked with either: are there things that I should
>> >> know? Do's and don'ts?
>> >> Push or pull?
>> >> Dilute or not?
>> >> ...
>> >> I would be very grateful if the combined knowledge base of the LUG
>> >> would help me on this one.
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Leica Users Group.
>> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Leica Users Group.
>> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Leica Users Group.
>> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Leica Users Group.
>> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> >
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> 



Replies: Reply from dlridings at gmail.com (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] tri-x and microdol-x)
In reply to: Message from jsmith342 at cox.net (Jeffery Smith) ([Leica] tri-x and microdol-x)
Message from philippe.orlent at pandora.be (Philippe Orlent) ([Leica] tri-x and microdol-x)
Message from dlridings at gmail.com (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] tri-x and microdol-x)