Technique Weekly Tip

This Month's Tip

By Leica Photographer Evin Grant

 

Special Processing for T-Max Film

During my last year of school At Brooks institute I had theopportunity to develop ( No pun intended) my B&W zone system skills with the guidance of Bob Smith a member of the F64 group that Included AnselAdams and Edward Weston. 

I expressed to Bob my interest in shooting the T-max films over the Tri and Plus-X's.  We talked about the lack of tonal richness that T-Max displayed and if there might be a way to fix it in development.  I started experimenting with lots of film developers and came up with different results in sharpness and response but not much for increasing tonal subtlety.  I then talked to a friend of mine who was back from assisting in New York and asked if he had any suggestions.  He told me that Helmut Newtons lab Tech was using paper developers on Helmuts T-Max.  This was new, and after some very extensive testing and consulting with Bob I came up with Edwal's Ultra Black as the best choice. 

Diluted  11.5:1.  The developer is very active and so the film develops in only two minutes.  This abbreviated development forces the contrast range to transition almost immediately and develop the highlights and shadows very close together.  It really gives the film a more Tri-x look.  And sharpness does not seem to be affected.  It looks particularly good in low contrast situations where a  N+1 or N+2 are needed to boost contrast. However it must be continuously agitated on a motorized base to get even development. I suggest doing the N+ in dilution not in time. All speeds of the T-Max can be processed this way but the 3200 shows the most dramatic effect as long as it's exposed correctly. Overexposure decreases the effectiveness but underexposure is very well handled up to -1.5 stops. T-max 400 is the film I shoot the most and I has a wonderful metallic feel when done properly.  T-max 100 shows the least response but I still much prefer it processed this way to any other. You may need to costomize this to your prefrence.  I use the same staring point for all the films but you may need to give the 100 a little more time. Test! Test! Test!

Tech: Edwall Ultra Black

  1. One minute pre wash

  2. N=11.5:1 @ 68deg F for two minutes. Continuos Agitation

  3. (I use 1.75 oz. developer in 18.25 oz. water to make 20 oz. total for a 32 oz tank)

  4. Stop Normal

  5. Fix Normal

  6. Wash Normal