Tri-X @ EI 800: Microphen or Rodinal?

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I need recommended dilutions & times for the above developers. Your experience & observations regarding the results would help in my decision of which to use for non-flash indoor use. Tri-X @ EI 800 will just about allow me 1/15 - 1/30 @ F2.8/F4.0 exposure combinations.

Your comments regarding grain/contrast/acutance for 8x10 prints would be most helpful. Thank you.

-- john l bagtas (jlbagtas@shaw.ca), June 06, 2002

Answers

I sure wouldn't use Rodinal to push Tri-X, unless you are seeking large grain. I'm not familiar with Microphen, but perhaps John Hicks will answer that part. Long ago I used Acufine to push Tri-X to 800 with excellent results--grain was apparent, but acutance was high as well.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), June 07, 2002.

I haven't used Microphen with Tri-X but did use Acufine at ei800 with very pleasing results. (I used it 1+1 single shot because I was not comfortable with replenishment)

I would expect Microphen to be similar to the Acufine. You can expect to get contrast close to normal and sharp grain.

We tend to emphasise the actual effective speed of the film in these circumstances, but something just as important is your metering technique. In some low light situations the light is contrasty and you have to decide how important the shadows are. That's one reason that testing is essential.

Let us know how you get on.

-- john stockdale (jo.sto@bigpond.com), June 07, 2002.


have used tri-x @800 and processed in Diafine. Results were quite good, contrast was not terrible, and grain was very acceptable. film probably would have been good for an ei of 1200. jim

-- jim meisenbach (pacifica011@insightbb.com), June 07, 2002.

Greetings, Depends on what you are after. I have pushed Tri-X with Rodinal only because I had nothing else at the time. The grain was quite noticeable, the contrast was a bit high, the acutance was still that of Rodinal (quite good). The effect is not for everyone but I have used this combination since as I liked what I got. Experiment with some less important negatives and you will soon have other options to choose from. Cheers! Ken

-- Kenneth Bruno (salmon70@hotmail.com), June 08, 2002.

I'd suggest using Microphen, DD-X or Acufine to push TX. Rodinal would give perhaps a stop less "real" speed, bigger grain, higher acutance but poorer rendition of fine detail.

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), June 08, 2002.


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