TMax Developer Question

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There are two TMax developers, one for roll film only and the other (TMax RS) is for sheets or rolls. Does anyone know why the TMax non-RS is not recommended for sheets? I'd like to keep things simple and using HC-110 for sheets means a lot more to remember, a lot more testing, and more bottles in my small darkroom. I use Patterson Daylight tanks for rolls and BTZS tubes for sheets.

-- Jeff Schraeder (jeff@engineperformance.com), June 07, 2001

Answers

There was a message thread here a while ago that addressed this, but I can't find it.

If I recall correctly, TMax (not RS) developer can cause uneven development with sheets, so Kodak doesn't recommend it.

TMax RS is fine for rolls and sheets, so it might be a good choice for you.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), June 07, 2001.


with certain water qualities, a dichroic fog can occur with TMax and sheet films. TMax RS is recommended and I believe it is the superior chemistry. I have switched to Xtol with improved results with TMax films.

-- daniel taylor (lightsmythe@agalis.net), June 07, 2001.

I use all my developers as "one shot" so I end up mixing small quantities. Hard to do with TMax RS unless you use a lot of it. I shoot 2 or three rolls a week plus a few 4x5's. TMax RS has a rather short shelf life once mixed. Non-RS Tmax can be easily mixed from the bottle but TMax-RS has 2 parts, one of which is too small to measure for small batches. I guess my real question here is "Is the sheet film uneven development problem with TMax non-RS developer due to agitation and will processing the sheets in BTZS tubes cure that problem"?

-- Jeff Schraeder (jeff@engineperformance.com), June 08, 2001.

T-Max RS can also be mixed straight from the bottle. Just add packet B to bottle A and shake well. From there its use is just like regular T-Max except of course your times will probably be different.

-- Jeff White (jeff@jeffsphotos.com), June 08, 2001.

Jeff: Actually TMax RS at working strength has a shelf life of about 6 months if stored in a full bottle. It is formulated to work well if it is replenished, so you might want to look into that possibility. You can download a PDF on the TMax developers at http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/j86/j86.s html.

-- Ken Burns (kenburns@twave.net), June 08, 2001.


Jeff White: You answered my question. If I add part B to part A and mix, then use that solution to create one-shot quantities at my dilution my problem is solved. I use enough developer between roll film and 4x5 sheets to use up the small size TMax-Rs in about 4 weeks. Have you actually done this? Has anyone on the list done it? I am going to try it and will tell you how it worked. Thanks again.

-- Jeff Schraeder (jeff@engineperformance.com), June 09, 2001.

Jeff, I have been using this method for more than ten years. I learned it from John Sexton, this is how he uses T-Max RS. I also use the BTZS tubes. I have more information on T-Max and T-Max RS on my site Photography by Jeff White

-- Jeff White (jeff@jeffsphotos.com), June 10, 2001.

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