Pushing Tri-X to 1600...advice?

David_Manning

David_Manning

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I'm traveling to The Big Easy this Saturday, and I'm just taking the M6, 35mm Zeiss lens, and Tri-X. I'm sure I'll want fast film at some point, but since I didn't plan very far ahead all I have is Tri-X.

I'd like to see examples and hear experiences (and advice) of pushing Tri-X to 1600.

Thanks.

----David.
 
D76 does it quite well, 13.25 minutes 1:1 as per the Massive Dev Chart (and Kodak's sheet) works for me. Microphen gives it a lot more shadow detail though, and grain seems smoother.

At one point the Massive Dev chart gave way too high numbers for Tri-X pushed in Microphen. I found 12 minutes 1:0 worked very well for me.

The only pushed Tri-X shot I have handy right now is actually at 3200 (D76, 1:1, 16 minutes). It's daylight, so helping things a bit, but it still surprised me how well it did, especially in terms of grain:

 
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DDX or Microphen give the highest true ISO speeds, but EI 1600 involves more contrast and emptier shadows than I like. Stick with 1000 and you're only looking at 1/3 stop push in either.

Then again, experimenting in pushing with irreplaceable shots is a bit rash. The further you push, the more experimenting you need to do. Stick with 1000 and again, it'll be easier.

Alternatively, buy some faster film when you're there: must be possible.

Cheers,

R.
 
Xwhatsit, nice shot...the push looks good with plenty of light.

Roger...good advice, although I'll really be surprised to find any 1600 or 3200 film downtown in New Orleans without spending half the day. Luckily, no irreplaceable shots here...just farting around near Mardi Gras!
 
HC110 dilution b for 15 or 16 minutes at 68F:

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Really, really nice, Chris.

I used to use Acufine (is it still available?) and Diafine. Diafine worked very well for me and was my standard developer for some years.
 
I would go for Microphen, DDX or dilute Xtol. Try Xtol 1+2 for about 25 mins (depending on scene) at 20 degs C at an EI of 800 with agitation at the beginning (30 secs), 1/3 way and 2/3 way (three inversions each) through the total time. You'll be amazed how much speed you gain in the shadows by cutting out almost all the agitation. I find the results miles better than normal agitation but controlling highlights while giving shadows a real kick in speed. Not one for when you have smooth sky tones as you can get some uneven development but you will never see any issue with normal low light, night, or indoor scenes etc. I never have anyway.

IMHO, 1600 is a bridge too far for TriX unless your original scene is as flat as a pancake i.e. a couple of stops of range.
 
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Diafine. This situation & Tri-X is where it shines. I usually use 1250 but 1600 will work.

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William
 
I have had good luck with Xtol 1:1 and 1:3 as well as Diafine. If you use Diafine, follow the agitation recommendations on the box - and be gentle. Too much or too harsh gets huge grain. I have also done 1600 and 3200 with HC110 dilution H - a bit sharper but the grain is more pronounced. Right now, I'm having great luck with TriX at 800 done in Xtol 1:1 at 68 degrees F and 13 minutes.
 
Tri-X in HC-110(B) for 15 min 15 sec. Agitations initially 30s, and every two minutes thereafter for 10s each cycle. I've been doing this for about two months now with consistently good results:

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Nice, Mike. I especially like the guitars & the fountain with silhouettes. Thank you!

William
 
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