tri-x 400 lab problem or me?

[zb3]

My little RF is a Canonet that last year had a CLA. Color film no problem with contrast and everything usually works as planned for exposure. Lately trying to get more into B&W I have run a couple rolls of Tri-X 400 (yellow filter on lens and developed at different dates). The local lab does a great job with color film but they have to send off the B&W to another lab. When I get my B&W prints back all of the shadows are blacked out with little to no detail. The highlights though are very bright. The contrast is more extreme than what I see others having with their photos shot with Tri-X. Should I try a different lab? Is it something I am doing? I do not have the time right now to learn to develop my own film but I may have to try in the future. I am a noob with film B&W and have a lot to learn. I appreciate any advice that you offer. Thanks, Wayne

 

[totifoto]

Sounds like it is over developed.

I would try another lab to start with.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Hard to tell where the problem is if we don't know anything about the negatives.

Assuming that the negatives are reasonably/properly exposed, what you are reporting may be a printing issue (they probably ran the developed negatives through a color printer). I wouldn't be surprised that a lab guy/gal without any true B&W printing experience would fudge it up.

 

[stratcat]

Hard to tell where the problem is if we don't know anything about the negatives.

Assuming that the negatives are reasonably/properly exposed, what you are reporting may be a printing issue (they probably ran the developed negatives through a color printer). I wouldn't be surprised that a lab guy/gal without any true B&W printing experience would fudge it up.

That was my exact experience with my first roll of Tri-X. I took it to a local lab here that develops color (minilab, of course) The prints I got were absolutely depressing. After that I decided I would develop and scan myself.

It wasn't until much later, after I had gained experience developing, scanning and printing that I realized what happened: they had obviously developed the film by hand, then ran the negatives through the minilab for printing.

 

[Noll]

Hard to tell where the problem is if we don't know anything about the negatives.

Assuming that the negatives are reasonably/properly exposed, what you are reporting may be a printing issue (they probably ran the developed negatives through a color printer). I wouldn't be surprised that a lab guy/gal without any true B&W printing experience would fudge it up.

Agreed, check the negatives first to see if the dark areas look completely clear. If they are not, then the issue was some messed up printing profile. Either way, keep looking for a new lab. Lots of good mail order options.

Or if you plan to shoot more than a roll or two a month, get yourself a changing bag, daylight developing tank, bottle of fixer, developer (or make your own caffenol), and start developing!

 

[alienmeatsack]

I agree with the above stated thoughts. I also toss in the suggestion that many of us here develop our own black and white and encourage you to try that route as well as Noll said.

You are also more then welcome to ask one of us who does our own B/W to try developing a test roll for you. I have seen the works of many people here who make the labs work look like amateur hour. So I'd be willing to bet that someone here would easily be able to help you out by doing a roll or two to compare to the labs.

 

[zb3]

Thanks for the replies. Later today I will check the negatives. I think I am going to have to create time to develop my own B&W Film. In the mean time what labs would you recommend for B&W. I am on the west coast. Thanks again, Wayne

 

[parkpy]

My little RF is a Canonet that last year had a CLA. Color film no problem with contrast and everything usually works as planned for exposure. Lately trying to get more into B&W I have run a couple rolls of Tri-X 400 (yellow filter on lens and developed at different dates). The local lab does a great job with color film but they have to send off the B&W to another lab. When I get my B&W prints back all of the shadows are blacked out with little to no detail. The highlights though are very bright. The contrast is more extreme than what I see others having with their photos shot with Tri-X. Should I try a different lab? Is it something I am doing? I do not have the time right now to learn to develop my own film but I may have to try in the future. I am a noob with film B&W and have a lot to learn. I appreciate any advice that you offer. Thanks, Wayne

Does the canonet compensate properly for the yellow filter? Or are you metering hand held?

how are the results without a filter?

I think now's the time to develop your own B&W🙂 Control your own results🙂

 

[tarullifoto]

I've had similar depressing experiences. If you're serious about B&W, but really don't want to develop the film yourself, I'd recommend shooting a chromogenic film like Kodak BW400CN or Ilford XP2. Both have very nice tonality and scan very well.

If you insist on traditional B&W, I'd recommend developing the film yourself and scanning it. Labs are notorious for uneven quality both in technique and chemicals, with the population heavily weighted toward the appalling.

As for lab prints, unless you're prepared to work with a really good professional printer on a frame by frame basis, and with very specific instructions on dodging and burning, etc., in my experience, you are in for a world of disappointment.

I'd go as far as to say that you should save the money, calibrate your monitor and buy a decent printer.

My experience with consumer labs leaves me with very little faith. Good luck though.

I will say this: developing and scanning your own has a lot to recommend it. It's a great experience coming back to a set of negs that you haven't looked at in awhile, and reinterpreting them.

I hope it works out for you.

 

[Mcary]

One more reason for processing your own B&W film. The ability to shoot at an ISO higher then the box speed and push process the film. Sure you can have it done by a lab but most charge 50%-100% extra per stop. Doing it at home only cost you a few more minutes of your time
TRI-X 400 D76 1-1 9.45 mins @1600 1-1 13.25 mins

 

[John Bragg]

It is quite hard to balls up Tri-X development. I guess they must have tried really hard. Use another lab and bracket a few shots. You might like a different Iso from box speed. Good luck and I hope you get developing your own soon. That is the way forward.

 

[Mcary]

It is quite hard to balls up Tri-X development. I guess they must have tried really hard. Use another lab and bracket a few shots. You might like a different Iso from box speed. Good luck and I hope you get developing your own soon. That is the way forward.

With so few people getting B&W film processed these day's I often wonder if they mix different types of film together in the same tank and just use an average time. Plus possible over using the developer to save a few pennies.

 

[mr.yates]

In the mean time what labs would you recommend for B&W.

Few better than these folks.

http://www.bluemooncamera.com/services.php

 

[Vics]

The yellow filter will produce quite a boost in contrast. It also requires an extra stop of exposure. Also, yes process your own film. Tri-X; D76 1:1; 10 minutes at 20 dgr. C.

 

[rpsawin]

You can also talk to the lab and ask them what type of developer they use for processing b&w and if other developers are available. It could be that controlling the chemicals used may help the problem.

 

[tempest68]

I'm new to rangefinders and only recently started B&W. Although my local camera store does a good job on color prints and slides, they send B&W out to another lab. I'm just shooting for fun. I plan to try XP2 once I use my current supply of B&W up, since the local store will be able to develop those and because they sell it. I have no time to learn to develop myself and just prefer to drop off the film and pick up the negs and prints in a few days. Being able to buy the film locally and have it processed locally appeals to me. So I'm hoping XP2 will be good enough for me once I try it.

 

[Vics]

XP2 is terrific. The reason the local lab can process it isn't because they sell it, it's because it is C-41 process, just like color negative film. You'll like it. Take that yellow filter off your lens.

 

[tempest68]

XP2 is terrific. The reason the local lab can process it isn't because they sell it, it's because it is C-41 process, just like color negative film. You'll like it. Take that yellow filter off your lens.

Glad to hear XP2 is good. I understand why they can develop it. My point was more about the fact that they stock it and I can just walk in and buy some instead of having to order online and wait for the film to be shipped. I think they stock it BECAUSE they can develop it. They don't normally stock traditional B&W films probably because they don't want to disappoint a customer who buys it but then has to wait for it to be sent away for developing. I just started another B&W roll and have one more to shoot after that and then I'll be ready to give XP2 a try.