First attempt.

[Merelyok]

I finally souped my own film!

I'm generally quite happy with it, but i think i might have agitated it abit too much, considering the fact that there is quite a fair bit of grain.

I pumped the contrast up abit in photoshop, but that's about it.

Some samples.

Tri-x in T-max Dev, 6 min, 20C.

Any comments on how i can improve?

Thanks!

 

[bidnez]

congrats!

congrats!

Nice! I never tried the TMax developer on anything but TMax film myself, not overly happy even then - especially with grain (but that´s probably me, agitation or something, as you suggest).

The last year or so, however I´ve stuck with TriX and XTOL developer at stock solution, following the temp/time suggestions and agitation advice from Kodak. And; now I am happy - at 400, 1600 and even 3200. (Up there I´m even amazed sometimes 😱).

 

[fidget]

Looks good!
I've never tried Tri-x, maybe I will give it a go in MF.

Dave...

 

[John Bragg]

Congratulations on your first efforts with film development. It is a highly addictive passtime and one where you can make improvements with every film you try. These are really good and you should be proud of your first attempt....
I have only limited experience with Tmax developer using mostly Kodak's other well respected liquid developer HC-110 over the last few years with Tri-X. I do recall however on the occasions that I used Tmax dev that tonally results were excellent but it had a tendency to blow the highlights a little.
Part of the attraction with developing your own is dialling the results into your personal requirements and your individual workflow. It would pay you to run a test for your personal exposure index. This is not as daunting as it sounds. Simply take a few test shots on film speed settings from 200 to 800 and see which gives you the best negatives for you and your equipment and technique. I personally favor more exposure than the rated speed of the film. For me Tri-X is 200 speed and I develop less by 25% or so. This type of simple tweak can make all the difference and your personal Exposure Index for any given film can be easily established. Then simply control the highlights by decreasing or increasing development time til you get it right for your tastes...

Congratulations once again and keep up the good work

Regards, John.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You didn't over agitate, the photos look typical for Tri-X in Tmax developer. Tmax is not a fine grain developer. Try D-76 or Xtol, both have a lot finer grain with Tri-X

 

[bmattock]

Looks like you did fine. My own personal experience is to shoot for dev times more around 10 minutes. With 6 minute dev times, it is easy to make small mistakes in timing that have larger effects on your development.

It's just math. A 30 second delay in dumping out developer on a 10 minute scheduled dev has less effect percentage-wise than the same 30 second delay in a 6 minute scheduled dev. This can also even out temp, agitation or inversion issues - more dev time means slight errors have less impact.

Your results look good, though, congrats!

 

[Turtle]

Agree with Chris. This is typical TriX in a non- fine grain dev. Xtol 1+1 or 1+2 is nice -finer grain if that is what you are after.

 

[kipkeston]

You didn't over agitate, the photos look typical for Tri-X in Tmax developer. Tmax is not a fine grain developer. Try D-76 or Xtol, both have a lot finer grain with Tri-X

I agree here. Otherwise nice!

 

[Merelyok]

Ah! Thanks all for the help; really appreciate it.

No wonder. How about Ilford DDX? I heard its more or else the same as T-max dev, but does anyone have experience with this combination?

I just souped some Neopan 400 pushed to 800 in some T-max. It's drying now!

The anticipation!

 

[Merelyok]

*update*

In the midst of scanning the negatives now, and i must say, i like what i'm seeing alot.

Will update with pictures asap.

 

[Merelyok]

As promised, here are some sample shots.

 

[Merelyok]

A couple more off my 2nd roll.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

They look kinda contrasty. Did you push process or was that just the light that was so contrasty? You might try giving one stop more exposure and 30% less developing time.

 

[dfoo]

Great set of shots. Love the one of the girl & shadow. I recommend avoiding the tmax dev. Among other things is expensive. Use D76, Xtol or if you want the convenience HC110.

 

[Merelyok]

Chris, I pushed processed the neopan one stop.

Dfoo, Im a little confused about HC110 because i read that there are different dilutions to it (i.e. H and B iirc); is there a specific HC110 i need to get from the shops or is that just refering to the dilution levels?

Also, does anyone have expereince with DDX? I'm interested in that as well.

Thanks!

 

[dfoo]

HC110 comes as a syrup that you mix when it comes time to develop. A bottle will do many many rolls depending on the dilution. http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/ is a good resource!