Tri-X at 1600

[GeneW]

In my latest blog entry I've documented an experiment in available light, pushing Tri-X to 1600: http://northernjourney.blogspot.com/

I used HC-110 dil B for 28mins 64F with a modified Merciful agitation cycle. I would now like to repeat the experiment with Rodinal 1:50.

The Toronto contingent has some Diafine on order and before long I should be able to experiment with that too.

What's your fav film/dev combo for 1600 work?

Gene

 

[Pherdinand]

delta3200 works quite well at 1600 in agfa refinal (although the d3200's true speed is considered 1250 in refinal, following Agfa's official sheet)
i especially like it in 120-format, where the grain is less visible

In the same time, i'm waiting for the results on tri-x pushed to 1600, 120-format, in the same agfa refinal developer. Don't ask me why this funky soup.

 

[Pherdinand]

Those images look great, Gene, at least in this size🙂 How about enlarging them?

 

[varjag]

I've done some 400TX @ 1600 in stock Microphen. Doesn't exhibit much grain; the contrast is somewhat bumped though.

 

[T_om]

Not to hijack the thread Gene, but I just took a look at some of your portfolio shots and have to say that your "Birches & Fog" is an exceptional photograph. Well done.

Tom

 

[thmk]

Fuji Neopan 1600 @1600 in Calbe A49 (1:1).

 

[GeneW]

Not to hijack the thread Gene, but I just took a look at some of your portfolio shots and have to say that your "Birches & Fog" is an exceptional photograph. Well done.

Tom

Thanks kindly, Tom. That was from my first outing with the Hassy. I haven't taken the Hassy out enough lately. It's a lovely camera to use.

Gene

 

[sockeyed]

I shoot tri-X at 1600 and develop in D-76 1:1 for 13.25 mins with great results. The grain is good, nice detail in shadows and highlights, nice contrast.

Here are a few samples (click on 'all sizes' for higher-res images):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/7192516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/7192512/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/7192529/

 

[RayPA]

In my latest blog entry I've documented an experiment in available light, pushing Tri-X to 1600: http://northernjourney.blogspot.com/

I used HC-110 dil B for 28mins 64F with a modified Merciful agitation cycle. I would now like to repeat the experiment with Rodinal 1:50.

Gene

Gene, the images look great. I like HC110. It's been a while since I've used it (mostly 120 stuff). IIRC it is primarily a fine-grain developer and not necessarily a high acutance developer. I've heard the opposite on D76, though, regarding pushability. It has always been considered a good developer for pushing. I think it may depend on the dilution, because the solvency of straight usage and maybe even at 1:1 may have the effect you describe. You can get into some stand development times with D76 by going 1:2, 1:3, or more. I've used the stand development agitation techinque on shorter times with the idea on controlling contrast. It worked pretty good. I recently picked up some TFX2 from Photographer's Formulary which supposedly is excellent for stand development. Haven't tried it yet. Good job on the pics! 🙂

 

[RayPA]

I shoot tri-X at 1600 and develop in D-76 1:1 for 13.25 mins with great results. The grain is good, nice detail in shadows and highlights, nice contrast.

Here are a few samples (click on 'all sizes' for higher-res images):

Ben, my browser won't let me see your pics! 🙁 I'll try IE. BTW, I'm curious, how did you come up with 13.25 mins? I *would* have gone around 15 or more. 😀

 

[GeneW]

Ben, Ray, it sounds like you guys have had really good luck with pushing Tri-X in D-76. I have D-76 in stock (I generally use it 1:1) but shied away from pushing to 1600 using it after following some longish threads on photo.net that suggesed that the shadow areas drop out quickly. Now I think I should do some experimenting.

Ray, could you describe your stand development techniques with 1:2 and 1:3? It sounds really interesting. I'd prefer to stick with D-76 if possible just cause I like it. I think the grain patterns with D-76 are more attractive than those with HC-110.

Gene

 

[Roman]

My favorite fast combos:

Neopan 1600 in A49 1+1 - quite OK at 1600 (though better at 800 - 1000)
TMax 3200 at 1600 (and still OK at 3200) in A49 1+1 - coarser grain than NP, but better shadow detail.

Roman

 

[RayPA]

Ray, could you describe your stand development techniques with 1:2 and 1:3? It sounds really interesting.
Gene

Gene, I was "speaking" hypothetically on the dilution ratios. Generally, if you dilute you increase time and solution amounts, which could get you out to some long times. I agree it sounds like an interesting experiment to take D76 out to those dilutions/times, one that I would love to try.

I've used the "stand" type agitation (5 sec. every 3 minutes), with a different developer and normal exposures. These two different lighting situations were done using that technique:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10039/sort/1/cat/500/page/3

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10304/sort/1/cat/500/page/3

I haven't been pushing much lately. I shot some APX 100 at 400 and got some interesting results:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/9986/sort/1/cat/500/page/3

But most of my shots are in daylight (high to normal contrast), so I've been experimenting on that end. I've not pushed Tri-X with D76 recently, but when I did, I always used it undiluted. That's why I want to see Ben's images at 1:1 and 13.25s.

If I get a chance I'll try to mix up a liter or a 1/2 of D76 this weekend. If I do, I'll shoot a short roll of Tri-X at 1600, and try one of the higher dilutions/longer times. (I just need to finish the roll of NP 400 that is in my camera!).

 

[GeneW]

Thanks Ray. I'll be interested in any conclusions you come up with. I'm still intrigued with Merciful's Tri-X/Rodinal experiments and want to do some of my own in the near future.

Gene

 

[sockeyed]

Hi Ray,

I used the Massive Development Chart to get the 13.25 mins. Seems to work well:
http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html

Here is a shot from my gallery using Tri-X at 1600:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/cpg/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=11072&pos=2

 

[Natron]

I usually use Tri-X at 1600 in Kodak Xtol 1:1. I've churned out such satisfactory results from that combo that I actually began shooting Tri-X at 1600 at least 50% of the time until my 100' roll and my purchsed rolls were all gone. I never have to think twice about spinning the meter to 1600 on my R2 or FE2 when Tri-X is loaded.

etc..

 

[GeneW]

Natron, nice shots and that sounds like another alternative. I read a posting on pn recently in which the photog said he got better *scans* with Xtol than any other developer for Tri-X, presumably because it was a bit finer grained which led to less grain aliasing. Do you scan your negs frequently?

BTW, what's your ballpark time/temp/agitation for Tri-X 1600 in Xtol 1:1 ?

Gene

 

[Natron]

Natron, nice shots and that sounds like another alternative. I read a posting on pn recently in which the photog said he got better *scans* with Xtol than any other developer for Tri-X, presumably because it was a bit finer grained which led to less grain aliasing. Do you scan your negs frequently?

BTW, what's your ballpark time/temp/agitation for Tri-X 1600 in Xtol 1:1 ?

Gene

I scan in more negatives than I print, by far. In fact, until recently, I ONLY scanned in my negatives. The Xtol negatives certainly scan in better than my Rodinal negatives... surprisingly, my BEST scanning negatives ever were HP5+ in HC110 dilution B. Anyway, my Xtol+TriX negatives do scan very well. I'd have to look back on my past notes on my times. Temp is always 68F.

 

[neilsphoto]

Last week over on Photo.net I started a thread with more "Merciful" TX @3200 shots. I'll post 2 here. I went to 33 minutes at 68F, 1:50 and agitation every 5 minutes as usual.

I also shot some basketball with TX @3200 when I ran out of TMZ. They also look very good but I haven't scanned any yet. BTW this TX scans just great processed this way.

 

[GeneW]

Last week over on Photo.net I started a thread with more "Merciful" TX @3200 shots. I'll post 2 here. I went to 33 minutes at 68F, 1:50 and agitation every 5 minutes as usual.

I also shot some basketball with TX @3200 when I ran out of TMZ. They also look very good but I haven't scanned any yet. BTW this TX scans just great processed this way.

Nice lighting in these shots! When you say more "Merciful" TX treatments, do you mean Rodinal 1:50??

Gene