Advise please

[taskoni]

Hi guys 🙂

I am newbie and still going through different films since didn't found the look what I am looking for. I start develop my negs myself not long ago, but lately I am really disappointed by the results I am getting from Tmax 100, Tri-x 400.
To be more specific the only available developer where I live is Ilfosol 3, Ilfotec C29 and Ilford fixer and this is what I am using. I am getting this:

When I shoot Ilford 100, 400, XP2 I get more contrast and more white and black and I am exposing the same way.

Is it something to do with the developer / fixer and process or it is me and my exposure?
Regards,
b.

 

[SciAggie]

I have almost exactly the same question. I'm anxious to hear what others have to say. I'm not getting the results I'm looking for and like you I don't know which variable set is having the most significant impact on my negatives. Is it an exposure issue, a development processing/ length of processing issue, or the choice of developer?

 

[taskoni]

Thank you SciAggie for putting it with the right words 🙂
Regards,
b.

 

[Photon42]

I feel your photograph shows a very proper distribution over the tonal range (as you can check in any image processing software). This is from my perspective the perfect starting point for any post processing work. You do not state whether you enlarge/chemical print your images or whether you just scan and view on-screen. In case you scan into the computer, all contract enhancing options are just a click away (levels and curves in photoshop). So I would not mind slightly flat looking negatives. They are even better for scanning.

Cheers
Ivo

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

If you're scanning film, keep in mind that film scanners tend to scan negs with too little contrast. Just use a curves adjustment in Photoshop to bring it up to where it needs to be. The image looks like it has a good range of tones but needs more midtone contrast.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Here you go, I think it looks good after adjusting contrast.

 

[Steve M.]

You probably prefer more contrast. Try a roll of Tri-X w/ a yellow filter on your lens. I love that film, and it's really flexible regarding development.

The problem here is it's hard to give any good advice looking at a rezzed down scan on my monitor. If the negs look like this on a light table, than that's the real deal. I still say try Tri-X though.

 

[taskoni]

I feel your photograph shows a very proper distribution over the tonal range (as you can check in any image processing software). This is from my perspective the perfect starting point for any post processing work. You do not state whether you enlarge/chemical print your images or whether you just scan and view on-screen. In case you scan into the computer, all contract enhancing options are just a click away (levels and curves in photoshop). So I would not mind slightly flat looking negatives. They are even better for scanning.

Cheers
Ivo

Thank you for the answers!
I am scanning the negatives with a very crappy scanner and I can adjust them easily in LR or PS. However, I would like to enlarge some pictures of mine and then I'll really know whats going on and what's right or wrong. I could of think of that myself, eh.. 😀

Back to the developer - am I get very different results processing with Rodinal or any other chemical my films?
Regards and thanks again!!!
Bobby

 

[Roger Hicks]

Back to the developer - am I get very different results processing with Rodinal or any other chemical my films?

Dear Bobby,

Yes, but probably less difference than most people will try to tell you. Longer/shorter development usually matters more.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Photon42]

Ivo--

I'm not suggesting we are great minds but we certainly seem to think alike. 😉

--Steve

Genau. Don't trust s/o with 4,294,967,077 posts saying "life is too short" 😎

Rgds
Ivo

 

[taskoni]

Dear Bobby,

Yes, but probably less difference than most people will try to tell you. Longer/shorter development usually matters more.

Cheers,

R.

Thank you dear Roger!
That answers my question 🙂 I guess sticking to one type of film in time will bring the good result, right?
Regards,
b.

 

[taskoni]

Genau. Don't trust s/o with 4,294,967,077 posts saying "life is too short" 😎

Rgds
Ivo

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

I guess sticking to one type of film in time will bring the good result, right?

Dear Bobby,

Yes. One day you'll see a film that looks better than the others. STICK WITH IT. Until then, drop the ones that look worst to you and either repeat the ones that look even slightly better (with varied dev time) or try others.

Cheers,

R.

 

[taskoni]

Roger that! 🙂

Actually I am getting close to ok results with XP2 Super, even though I am processing it as B&W, shaking it for 20+ minutes in Ilfosol 3 (1:9). Just lacking some white - looks to me the mid gray is dominating...

Well, will go shake some more 😉
Best regards,
b.

P.S.

I discovered that Summicron - R 50mm f/2 has rather unpleasant bokeh wide open 😛