Black & White TriX or what

[ojingoh]

tri-x is not a very sharp film. it's commercial release was in 1954. for it's time it was a breakthrough -- a 400 speed film, when most films were 125 and color was 6/12. the best thing about tri-x is that it has great response to different developers, specifically compensating developers. rodinal comes to mind -- the compensation effect will enhance acutance, but sharpness still remains pretty mediocre. the grain structure "is" what 35mm film was all about, all until tab grained films such as tmax and delta were developed.
for sharpness with a fine lens such as the 45 planar or a leica asph you should really be shooting a t-grained film. that said, if you don't like the look of the grain (i'm ok with it for scenics/street, people though i prefer tri-x) don't shoot it.

 

[davea]

Portra works well as a C41 because its colour base suits colour paper

a good all round sharp film for c41 processing imo

 

[bolshie]

My favourite is Tri-X and HC-110 7mins at dilution1/31, you can rate it at 400 and 800 ASA on the same roll all lighting conditions with or without flash.
Been using this for over 20 years on the job and having tried most other film/dev combinations nothing else comes close for versatility and latitude.
regards
paul (bolshie)
http://www.britishpressphoto.org/paulmattsson/

 

[tvdweert]

>My favourite is Tri-X and HC-110 7mins at dilution1/31, you can rate it at 400 and 800 ASA on the same roll all lighting conditions with or without flash. Been using this for over 20 years on the job and having tried most other film/dev combinations nothing else comes close for versatility and latitude.

Paul- cant say that I've tried TX w/ HC-110, but I do love the simple combo of TX and d76. To my eyes, TX is still the best BW emulsion out there; it has a wonderful tonal range and has just enough grain to give you that classic BW look. Its incredibly forgiving when developed; it's very hard to mess it up by developing it incorrectly. You can push it two stops w/out a problem. Did I mention it's great tonal range? I love the stuff and recommend it as a first choice to anyone interested in BW photography. TX is one of the few constants in photography - Carl Zeiss and Leitz lenses being the others. Regards, Tim v

 

[writing4me]

I had a look at your images, Paul, and they are remarkable. You have the decisive moment down to a science, and you must certainly have more courage than I do. Great work. http://www.britishpressphoto.org/paulmattsson/

By the way, in the color images, what film was that? -Lynn

 

[bolshie]

> Thanks for your kind words. The colour ones (excuse the red cast on one o= f > them there was a problem with monitor calibration) were taken on Fujicolo= r 400 > and 800. All the pix were taken between 1990-2001 mainly on Nikon equipme= nt, > the one of the two old ladies was taken with a Contax T2 . I only bought = my G2 > (second hand black kit) three days ago and have not had the chance to use= it > yet! It will be a rather strange experience as I haven=B9t shot any film or= over > nine months now as I went digital back then. I look forward to doing some= good > old-fashioned kind of work on it rather soon. > I=B9ve used the G2 before some years ago when I hired a body and lenses fo= r a > black and white feature on working class life in the East End of London w= here > I live (It is going to be exhibited at the Tate Modern Gallery here in Lo= ndon > sometime in December, so if you are nearby do drop in!) I must admit that= I > had a few problems with it then, and was rather put off, The T2 was bette= r but > I had to give it back. > The current kit was a rather impulse buy! A black body with 28, 45 and 9= 0mm > lenses plus flash in mint condition! > I look forward to trying it out! Any tips? > Regards > Paul > =20 >=20 >=20 >=20 >=20 >=20 >=20

 

[writing4me]

Thanks for the further info, Paul. Wish I was in London - I'd make a point to check out your exhibit at the Tate! Congratulations. I bet some of the other list members might be able to make it though. (I'm in the States). I hope you really enjoy the G2. I don't have it myself, but I'm sure if you have any questions the other list members would be glad to help you out. They're a good and intelligent bunch

Best, -Lynn

 

[leo_jar]

I may say something about TriX. It is a very old film as said before and it is not a modern film and can't be competed with modern film in terms of sharpness and resolution. However, Kodak does not discontinued this film due to there are too many people love this film. When you check the datasheet of this film you may find that the high light of this film is compressed and the sharp of the grain structure is very unique... Tmax 400 has better and wide latitude and lose the taste of Tri X... Try lower the developing temp to 22 and longer time in controlling the grain development.
Few words from EX kodak professional staff.

 

[daleh]

>What makes you assume that Tri X hasn't been tweaked and improved quietly over the years?

 

[leo_jar]

It is not assumption but it is from internal information. Cheers