For the past 6 months I have been using Kodak TMX for landscapes that have a lot of sky in the picture. I've noticed that my prints are basically filthy with white spots. The prints are 13x15 inches from 120 film and the dust spots are quite noticeable in the midtones of the sky. My film processing chemicles are mixed with distilled water, washed in filtered (3 micron) water, and given a final photoflo rinse in distilled water. The negatives are dried in a very dust free environment. This weekend I switched to Ilford Delta 100. Took the same kind of pictures and used the same processing technique. Guess what? No crap on my negatives. Prints are quite clean. Quite a conundrum. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with TMX?

John

-- John (jreefjreef@yahoo.com), March 11, 2002

Answers

Ah yes, TMX... isn't it wonderful. If you like the Delta, change to it. If you like the TMX, try a more diluted photoflo or better yet, go to using LFN (Low Foaming Agent) made by Ethol I think. It is in a very small dropper type bottle that you just squeeze out 1-2 drops. I also use it in my pre wet to break the surface tension of the water. A little bottle will last a long time.

-- Scott Walton (walton@ll.mit.edu), March 13, 2002.

LFN (low foaming non-ionic) wetting agent is an Edwal product.

-- Garry D. Lewis (erind@sbcglobal.net), March 14, 2002.

About a year ago I had a bulk roll of TMX that I had the same problem with. I never did figure out the problem, but it is exactly as you've described. I've never seen it before or since with TMX. My suspicion was the emulsion was defective in some way. I finally just ditched the spool.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), March 14, 2002.

Like Ted, I.too, had a similar problem several years back. Kodak thought it might be static electricity. That was never proven. I,too, changed films.

-- Howard Dvorin (HowardDvorin@cs.com), March 15, 2002.