Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/27

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Subject: [Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup
From: jsmith342 at cox.net (Jeffery Smith)
Date: Fri Jan 27 15:39:47 2006

Temperature is murder for me down here in the summer, as the tap water is
about 90F. As for agitation, I've finally decided on 30 seconds initially
followed by 5 sec every 30 sec thereafter.

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 Scott
McLoughlin
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 5:17 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup


HC 110 is somewhat sensitive to temperature. Using dilution (B) the times
are rather short - around 5m for Tri-X.  I use dilution (H) with gentle
agitation - lots more leeway time wise.

Also, I'm much more cautious about temperature changes during development,
and I find my negs have gotten more consistent. Once I stuck a thermometer
in the tank between agitations, I was very surprised how much the
temperature could change (this was in a hot Wash, DC summer, and the kitchen
is probably the warmest room in my apt.)

Scott

Jeffery Smith wrote:

>You are in exactly the same situation that I was in several years ago. 
>I tried XTOL (1:1) many times as it seemed to be the hands-down 
>favorite among B&W shooters. I couldn't get good, scannable negatives. 
>I tried Paterson's FX50 (another ascorbic acid developer) and got negs 
>so thin, they were unusable. I ordered some Bluefire Police film two 
>weeks ago, and it arrived completely demolished by the USPS (like 
>someone stomped on the envelope with combat boots). However, I got 
>better luck with HC110, but still the negs seemed too gritty and 
>contrasty. The best luck I've gotten so far (to the point that I'm 
>going to stick with it) is divided D-76. It is virtually impossible to 
>underdevelop or overdevelop with it, and temperature isn't much of an 
>issue as long as it is reasonable. Times are pretty lax too. I'm not a 
>total incompetent; my problem is a 80-ish year old mother in law who is 
>persistently underfoot and getting in the way.
>
>D-23 is also good for Tri-X, and it is very simple (two chemicals). If 
>you have a place that sells photographic chemicals, buy a bottle of 
>Metol (Elon) and a bottle of sodium sulfite, and try D-23 or even 
>divided D-23. Take a look here on how to do it:
>
>http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/DD-23/dd-23.html
>
>You won't waste developer and won't have to worry about it spoiling if 
>you make it up as you need it and use it all up that day! Mark Rabiner 
>has indicated that the amounts of Metol and sulfite used for D-23 can 
>be measured with measuring spoons. Pretty flexible stuff, and it tames 
>both contrast and grain pretty well.
>
>Jeffery
>
>
>  
>
>>From: Simon PJ <simonpj@mac.com>
>>Date: 2006/01/27 Fri PM 12:45:16 EST> To: Leica Users Group 
>><lug@leica-users.org>
>>Subject: [Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup
>>
>>I haven't developed black and white at home for over fifteen years, 
>>but would like to start again with TRI-X, and make sure that I make 
>>the most of whatever remains of the age of film!
>>
>>I know there is a huge fund of TRI-X wisdom on the LUG, and would be 
>>grateful for advice on the practicalities of getting set up. I'm 
>>thinking not just of best developer for grain etc., but also such 
>>things as shelf-life of chemicals for the my modest amount of shooting 
>>(e.g., should I buy in small or large volumes?).
>>
>>Factors to take into account:
>>
>>-- 1 to 4 rolls a week, with spikes up to 10 rolls a week about every 
>>other month.
>>
>>-- predominantly indoor available light shooting of people in 
>>home/social/work situations: so 320/400 ISO and some pushing to 800 
>>(maybe
>>1600)
>>
>>-- to be scanned by Minolta Dimage 5400 Elite
>>
>>I think this is probably a pretty common shooting profile amongst LUG 
>>members.
>>
>>I'd be very grateful for any advice on chemicals for a practical 
>>set-up taking into consideration the above factors, and a low level of 
>>skill and experience with b&w development.
>>
>>And if anybody thinks TRI-X is the wrong way to go, please suggest 
>>alternatives!
>>
>>TIA,
>>
>>Simon, Cambridge UK.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>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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Leica M6TTL, Bessa R, Nikon FM3a, Nikon D70, Rollei AFM35 (Jihad Sigint NSA
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_______________________________________________
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See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information



In reply to: Message from scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin) ([Leica] Advice wanted: TRI-X development setup)