Tri-X on Rodinal

jfserejo

jfserejo

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After seeing a lot of positive posts and samples about Tri-X in Rodinal here and apug forums I went out to buy some and take some shots with Tri-X rated at 400, trying to not overexpose, like many of those who use this combo suggested.

I first develop my own film about a year and, until now have done most of the processing with hc-110, that I learned to love, with it's balanced contrast and sharpness, but if we want something a little more strong!? That's when I looked for what experienced guys where using under some circumstances (subjects, light situations,...)

This is a powerful combination! The contrast is strong and sharp and the grain, that is evident, builds a really special environment. Also seems that light effects, like back light or lower light situations, benefit from this combination.

Sample Shot & Crop:
trix @ei 400; rodinal 1+100 S-S for 50 min. @ 20ºC

20080128011kr0.jpg


20080128011cropdx1.jpg


Anyone can tell me if films like Tmax 3200 or Delta 3200 can produce nice results? (The atmosphere that rodinal seem to produce will be great in interior, low light shots...)

Best regrads,
Joao
 
I use trix and rodinal, I like i too ;)


For Tmax, you must use Tmax developer for it is a new emulsion and works best with the developer associated, new film can be more efficient but need more rigor ;)


I am on my way to try diafine if I can find some :)


looks like you use rodinal @ 1+100, i use it at 1+25 and have much more grain :D
 
Hi, Joao.. Nice photos and a good combination. I like it very much indeed. Very atmospheric and a different look from this very versatile film.. Congratulations..

Regards, John.
 
Here's a couple of Tri-X @ 400 with Rodinal 1:50 in a variety of lighting all from the same roll. Both Rodinal and scanning are very new to me, so please keep that in mind as you check these out.
biscuit.JPG

lori reflection.JPG

the three girls.JPG
 
Intriguing. First, this doesn't apply to semistand - it's more for those who are seeking information on rodinal in general.

The comment about shooting at 400 and trying not to over expose is...contrary to my experiences, to say the least. Rodinal is a speed-decreasing developer. This means that the "true" speed of TXT in Rodinal with normal agitation is about 320 at best, more likely 250. So techncially you _should_ be overexposing, at least from box speed, or just setting your ISO dial to a different setting.

Also, in semi-stand, you will get increased sharpness from edge effects, and decreased grain from the higher dilution. However, you should not be getting increased contrast. If anything, you should be dramatically decreasing contrast due to compensation. Even if you factor that you "kinda" pushed the film from its true speed or 250 (let's go on the low end), it's only 2/3 of a stop so the increase in contrast in that isn't going to be producing much extra contrast.

This is not meant to be rude, but your findings are completely contrary to all of the technical underpinnings of the exposure and development methods you have chosen.

Where did you read to not overexpose? I'm curious.

allan
 
Eh - the more I play around with different developers, the more I appreciate good ole D76. These samples are nice, however.
 
I develop my tri-x in rodinal at 1+50 for 11minutes 30 seconds. I rate it at 320 though.

I did this as suggested by Bud Green and I'm loving the combination of tri-x/rodinal. :)
 
In my experience, I like Rodinal with FP4+. That combo is just beautiful - sharp like a razor, nice "under control" grain, nice contrast, rich tonality. For Tri-X, I prefer D76. I'm even starting to like D76 pushing Tri-X better than Diafine.
 
Last edited:
NickTrop said:
Eh - the more I play around with different developers, the more I appreciate good ole D76.
Click to expand...


I'm in the same boat. Have been using primarily HC-110 for a while now, trying to like it better than D76, but so far the most appealing printable combo I've ever had is HP-5 in D76.
 
Never tryed D76 and apears to be the election choice of so many people. The only traditional printing I did was hp5 on hc-110 and delta100 on dd-x 6x6. I liked hp5 on hc-110 a lot - the scans don't come close to the results of a print. :rolleyes:
With rodinal i'm trying to get a little more sharper results and bring back some "classic" look to the shots. I think it is a good choice for that goal, don't you?
 
I like to use the "right developer for the right situation"...but it's getting complicated.

Right acutance with low grain - perceptol 1+3. But that's long dev times. Speed with low grain, Microphen. Compensation? Rodinal 1+100. I don't use D76 at all much anymore, as it doesn't give me what I am looking for.

And to be honest, I'm getting lazy. I do a lot of Rodinal 1+100 in semi-stand. I just let it go. Flat negatives, which means I'm losing the spread on the tonality but it's nice to just let it sit for 3 hours :)

allan
 
Hi, Joao.

Just remember that your results are just that !!! YOURS... so your times and film speed may WELL be different from A.N.Others, but it does not make them wrong... Results are what count and yours speak volumes..

Regards, John.
 
I get a hint that was against me? Though my initials are not A.N. so maybe note.

I was just throwing out some technical info that is pretty consistent with others. And are consistent with what I have found. That is all. That is all anyone can offer on there - their personal experiences. If I offended anyone, then I apologize.

Hm. I wonder why I drifted away from RFF. At some point, all I can offer is darkroom info, and I guess I run out of information to contibute there..

allan
 
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