Alrighty...here are the Tri-X perceptol results..
While the pictures were anything but grainy, i've found the combination to be particularly good in retaining details in the shadow area with good sharpness as well. Quite good all in all (although anything but grainy).
While displaying nice tonality these photos here appear smooth with a noticeable absence of grain. This combination may not be the best for procuring grain.
If it is a grainy combination that you are after then I would definetely reach for the Rodinal as others have suggested. I was using TRI-X and HP5 for ages with D76 1:1 and was doing everything to try and achieve some mongrel grain that was more like the images from the old formula TRI-X before they changed it. I was overexposing and overdeveloping but just couldn't get that old world result, until I switched to RODINAL and all of my prayers were answered!
I would suggest either of these combinations:
HP5 or TRI-X @ Rodinal at EI: 200 for 11 minutes at 20C. Agitate the first 30 seconds then 2 agitations at the start of each minute for the 1st 5 minutes then 1 agitation at each minute from then on. I suggested HP5 over TRI-X as it seems to have more inherent grain and more resembles the older emulsions, but you can use TRI-X with a similar result. Neopan 400 to my eye has the smoothest grain of the big 3.
OR
HP5 or TRI-X @ Rodinal at EI: 400 for 13 minutes at 20C. Same agitation pattern as above.
OR
Neopan 1600 (my favourite combination) at EI: 800 for outdoors cloudy conditions. Agitate the 1st minute then 2 agitations at the start of each minute then on at 20C. Total of 11 minutes.
OR
Neopan 1600 in hazy sun at EI:650 outdoors go for a total of 10:30 minutes and agitate the first minute then 1 agitation at the start of each minute at 20C. You can lose highlights easily playing with this combination in moderately hazy conditions so controlling the amount of times you agitate at the start of each minute is important. Fuji also recommneds agitating the 1st minute with this particular film.
OR
Ilford Delta 3200 at EI: 800 in cloudy conditions. Total time of 12 minutes at 20C. The grain from this film will be more fluffy like popcorn as opposed to the Neopan 1600 which is more gritty like sandpaper. You have to discover what kind of grain suits your style.
OR
TMAX 3200 at EI: 800 in cloudy conditions. 11:30 minutes. But can't get it at the moment - discontinued??
In highly recommend using a fast film like these Delta or Neopan with Rodinal - Neopan 1600 and Rodinal is absolutley amazing and can produce film noir like images.
I wouldn't use Dektol as you will lose it in the midtones with an overly contrasty image. It is a fine line to produce a nice grainy image that is not overly contrasty. If shooting at night with bright lights and shadows then Dektol can be your undoing.
The latest ZM or Leica ASPH lenses can get very contrasty very soon if you over agitate or develop for too long. I am very strict about temperature control and try to keep it just below 20C. I would rather develop for the full time to allow for the shadows to develop than cut it short coz the temp has gone up to 22C.
Hope this helps.
cheers
