Re: T-Max 400 revisited
Jack Fulton (jfulton@itsa.ucsf.edu)
Sat, 24 Jan 1998 12:48:06 -0700
Bill, I think I posted my notes but, maybe not … on the T-Max, vs TX
use.
One of our faculty, Henry Wessel, has used TX for over thirty years and
still does. It is consistent and he knows every single in and out of the
film. Why change? Too, he uses a Leica.
I worked w/T-Max becasue I was curious re the supposed fine grain
obtained with new T-grain technology. Heck, I thought, if a 400 ISO can
do what a slower speed film used to do, why not try it.
TX seems to be used (by my friends) as an over-expose/under develop
film. Give about a stop or two more and underdevelop 20-30% so you have
superb shadows, a full middle and printable highlights. The effect is
smooth throughout though not a dramatic appearance from the blacks to
the whites. Excellent look. but not anywhere near a Eugene Smith print
for instance.
T-Max appears to be best shot like a color film … at the stated ISO
(except for VPS) … so, shoot it at 400. Even if you expose @ 800 there
is not much difference if you follow instructions. Use T-Max develop or
better yet, the T-Max RS ( think that's the nomenclature). The problem
arises beause one MUST pay strict attention to temperature and,
particularly, to agitation. If you do not follow the rigorous agitation
procedure you will obtain a subtle mottle (what I call it) or perhaps
better put, a streaking or incomplete density problem. I think too that
the 75º awareness that Bob mentioned is also important.
Overall, it is a better film in the sense that one can expose it
assuredly at a higher ISO while being able to obtain a large blow-up
with less graininess.
I feel that most people do not wish (or find it difficult) to pay
attention to that much observation during processing. For instance, in
my color classes, only a few folks enjoy processing their own C41
negatives. They are frightened by the 'magic' of color, and tend to look
at the temp of 100ºF + or - 1/4º and get nervous.
Jack