T-Max New 400, Rodinal 1:100

[GraemeMitchell]

I've been playing a lot w/ TMY-2 in Rodinal. It's a neat combo, def capable of what you're looking for.

I might suggest 1+50 (or even 1+25) to keep the grain more pronounced and the contrast more aggressive, 1+100 might be too gentle w/ this film, even at those enlargements.

These are some of my examples of the combo, from my first tests w/ it. Obviously you can't tell much at these sizes, but I can assure the grain is very sharp, tight, and uniform. Incredibly sharp combo. Given the samples, and for the reason of the qualities mentioned, you can see I'm liking it for portraits of men.

http://graememitchell.com/blog/wp-co...ly_dec09_1.jpg

http://graememitchell.com/blog/wp-co...kehm_dec09.jpg

http://graememitchell.com/blog/wp-co...hell_dec09.jpg

[2F/2F]

Graeme,

Thanks....but those are downright SLICK compared to what I want. Not a touch of grain in them that I can see at those enlargements. Higher dilutions will increase the sharpness of the grain, and as as long as I agitate in the same ratio to total development time, I will achieve roughly the same contrast index.

I may do my two-bath approach with these particular negs, and save the "real testing" for some other rolls. I do a highly-diluted reduced agitation technique at first, followed by 50% of a normal developing time at a more standard dilution. I have just not done it with T-Max, so was looking for examples.

[GraemeMitchell]

Graeme,

Thanks....but those are downright SLICK compared to what I want. Not a touch of grain in them that I can see at those enlargements. Higher dilutions will increase the sharpness of the grain, and as as long as I agitate in the same ratio to total development time, I will achieve roughly the same contrast index.

I may do my two-bath approach with these particular negs, and save the "real testing" for some other rolls. I do a highly-diluted reduced agitation technique at first, followed by 50% of a normal developing time at a more standard dilution. I have just not done it with T-Max, so was looking for examples.

Yeah, they're not examples of what you want, true, but just examples of the combo.

Btw, Rodinal, in my small experiences, works different in this regards than many other developers. The higher the dilution, the less grain. Seriously. I don't know why, and I could be wrong, but I get WAY more grain at 1+25 than I do at even 1+50.

Agitation also plays a part in it. Less frequent agitation, less grain. More frequent, more. Developing to around the same CI. But I think you probably know this as it's oft discussed.

Anyway, I've yet to try TMY-2 at 1+25, but that, w/ maybe a 1 stop push and a bit overdeveloped should give you something at the enlargments you're talking...

Or maybe it still won't be enough...it is a scary film in how little grain it builds.

I wonder about Dektol.

[ic-racer]

Here is an HD plot showing my experience with T-max film using two different developers. This may not be typical of what others observe because I used rotray processing with 7 or 8 changes of dilute 1:100 Rodinal developer during the process.
The way the highlights are depressed (but still pointing upward and not rolled off like on the shoulder) makes images especially of snow and high contrast scenes very easy and fun to print. Almost like some built-in contrast masking.

[Shawn Dougherty]

A little more testing last night. Keeping in mind my goal is moderately dense, contrasty negatives for contact printing.

Based on what I've done so far.

TMY2 @ 200 in Rodinal 1:100 (15ml of rodinal in 1500ml of distilled water)
2 minute presoak.
6 sheets of 4x5 in a slosher tray (reducing number of sheets in the same amount of developer changes things!)
Gentle agitation for first minute then for just a second or two every 30 seconds.

N = 17min 1:100

I have also done some N- and N+ experimentation for which I simply change dilutions.

N- = 17 @ 1:125
N-2 = 17 @ 1:150
N+ = 17 @ 1:75

I will almost certainly make adjustments as I continue using this combo but I have made numerous prints to come up with this data. More printing tonight, I'll be sure to post additional findings as I progress.

Certainly appreciate the insight everyone has shared so far! I have also worked out the same type of system with FP4+, if anyone needs that info let me know.

ALL AT 70f!!!

[Shawn Dougherty]

This may not be typical of what others observe because I used rotray processing with 7 or 8 changes of dilute 1:100 Rodinal developer during the process.
[/IMG]

I would be quite interested in hearing more about your experience with Rodinal in rotary processing - as well as this method of 7 or 8 changes during processing! Are you using a jobo?

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Nice work, Shawn. There's nothing like testing for yourself.

So you use dilution entirely to change contrast? Interesting concept. I use agitation and subsequently time and leave the developer alone.

Is it all at 68*F?

- Thomas

.

[Shawn Dougherty]

Thanks, Thomas! Forgot to include the all important TEMP!?! Everything is done at 70f.

Right now I keep everything the same and solely change dilutions to alter contrast. Worked great for me with FP4+ for all last spring and summer. I then began a new round of experimentation with semi-stand.... which I found to be a bit too fussy, cumbersome and unpredictable for me. I'm now returning to this method as it has yielded the best, most consistent and predictable results for me to date. I did want the extra speed of TMY2 thus the new tests instead of returning to FP4+.

I've read quite a bit about df cardwell's system - to which you are referring I believe. It makes a lot of sense. I just don't feel I'm quite ready for that just yet. Maybe after another year or so of really working my current method and allowing it to become somewhat intuitive I'll take another look at his article. All the best. Shawn

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Shawn,

I really think there is no reason to fix what isn't broken. Whatever gives you the results you want is good enough.

My results with agitation as variable are very good, the best I've ever had, and I'm very pleased with it. So I'm not fixing my approach either...

Back to TMY-2 and Rodinal. From results I've seen it's a great combination. Rodinal is a fairly slow working, but very powerful developer capable of incredible densities, contrast, and sharpness. The grain really is crisp, gives great texture. And TMY-2 is an exceptional film.

- Thomas

..

[Shawn Dougherty]

I hear ya, Thomas. I've about had my fill of testing for awhile... =) Time to get out there and start making work!

I was a bit fascinated with the idea of control over certain parts of the neg in cardwell's article. I just don't think I have my head wrapped around the entire curves --> to scene --> brain -->to paper --> thing... plus learning to meter based on midtones. Really fascinating for a dork like me. As I said, once I really have this dialed in I may play around a bit...

Couldn't agree more on the TMY2/Rodinal combo! Hope you're well! Shawn