T-Max Development - Starting Out!

Aurance

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I have decided to return (in part) to black and white film photography after 40 years. I picked up a Nikon FM3a and a couple of Nikon AI-s Lenses.

I have downloaded all the Kodak 'White' Papers on T-Max film and the Kodak development chemicals.

* T-Max 100
* T-Max 400
* T-Max P3200 (Intend to use ISO:800)

List of Darkroom Kit/Chemicals I have selected is as follows:-

* Paterson 'Film and Paper' Darkroom Kit
* Paterson Timer
* Kodak Xtol Developer
* Kodak KodaFix Solution
* Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent
* Kodak Indicator Stop Bath
* Kodak Photo-Flo Solution

I would appreciate any advice or pointers (or kit I may have missed) regarding the Use and the Development of Kodak T-Max BW Film relative to the above lists?

Thanks in Advance!
 
You're all set to go. Just follow the advice on the paper (developing times) and you're good. I'm a developing noob myself,but after a few months and a few dozens of film I managed just fine (know on wood).

One advice I've been given is to use higher dilution / longer developing times, as these give less margin for error if you deviate from developing times by a few seconds.
If you plan to shoot/develop a lot try Rodinal - more bang for a pound sterling.

Also, film is incredibly forgiving, even if you deviate from exposure, developing times and temperature.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
You will need a thermometer, and some graduates. If you use Rodinal I found their Tmax400 time to be pretty much on and their Tmax100 time to be long, I think they give 15 even 13 was long for me. My times for HC-110 with Tmax probably would not be right for you for many reasons, but I do recall the Kodak times for me were initially just a little short.
 
I think you are good to go. I use Tmax400 and Xtol 1:1 all the time and love the result.

Dont know about the fixer you use but I´m using Ilford rapid fixer and it says it should be used for 2-5 minutes but I usually need to fix Tmax for about 6-7 minutes, if longer than that then the fixer is missing his strength.

Pushing the Tmax has not been so great for me, Tmax 400@800 is the furthest I go with that film cause is it so contrasty already. I´ve pulled it down to 100 and got a very low contrast from it.

I have about 12 rolls of it left, after that I´m going back to Tri-x cause of the flexibility of it.
 
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Thanks for the Replies!

Thanks for the Replies!

Thank you all very much for the advice!

I am looking forward to using T-Max and some home development.


Cheers!
 
Handle the newest T-max 400 very carefully, because it is very sensitive to impact. In front of my enlarger recently, I gently wiped a negative with my clean 5th finger and I ended up with a major scratch on it. This has never happened to me with Across 100, Delta 100, and Tri-x.
 
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