Tri-X @1600 in Microphen - approaching the happy end...

[alexz]

Well, following my high speed films saga, I didn't abandon my intention to work out a feasable combo to be a ticket to a low-light, potentially high contrast circumstances..
After an unsuccessful attampts to like Neopan 1600 (even at 1200), I switched my attention to pushing Tri-X instead Took about two - two and half "test-drive" rolls in Microphen (each time developing a half roll at different times) I finally pulled the trigger for a main roll (shot a wedding event as a quest) with the time I approached to.
So, at about 15-20% exausted Microphen (stock), developed Tri-X roll shot at 1600 for 14 minutes, moderate agitation (first 30 sec., then single inversion at 2-minutes long intervals) at 20 deg.C

This time it appears I was on the right way, or at least approaching such.
Few examples are attached for your attention, comments/suggesttions (for further improvement ?) are welcome...
Shadows are pretty much compressed, but the mid tones and highlights are quite nicely rendered (IMHO) given the conditions and 2-stop push, thought purheps even further dev. time slight reduction (by 5-10%) or calming down agitation toa more relaxed one would do even better for highlights...

 

[alexz]

few more from the same roll

 

[drewbarb]

Looks good Alex. I've been watching your progress in these threads, and I agree you are on the right track- these pictures look better than anything you've shown us yet. You might increase your agitation just a bit- this should help bring up a bit more shadow detail. Otherwise, the process you've landed at is very close to what I do with pushed Tri-X in Microphen; I give it 13 minutes at 70 degrees (F), and agitate for the first 30 seconds, then 2 or 3 inversions every minute.

Anyway, keep going, and have fun!

 

[alexz]

Thanks Drew.
Do you mean you do 13 minutes for a fresh stock and then adjust 10% for each subsequent roll ?
As about agitation - I was under impression (uneducated one) that increased agitation just boosts highlights but does not help shadows, so taht in the case of critical highlights (my case) keeping agitation to the minimum would hold highlights better. Are you sure agitation influence shadows ?