35mm Tri-X and HC110 (Dil B) Trouble.

I'm hoping someone out there has run into a similar problem and

can offer some words of wisdom. I have been using Tri-X sheet

film (4x5) and HC110(B) for some time and have had grood results.

I had no problem getting the correct density for Zone I and

setting up a personal E.I. I decided to start using my 35mm

to shoot some B&W when I don't have time or space to carry the

view camera. So, I figured I'd shoot Tri-X and use HC110(B).

I know that the Tri-X Pro and the Tri-X 35mm are different, but

I am having no luck getting the correct density.

I started out with the usual film speed test, shooting a

bunch of Zone I frames at different E.I. I shot a range from

800 to 200 in 1/3 stop increments. I used the recommended

development time of 7.5 min at 68F. My densities were _way_

too high! They ended up in the range of Zone IV to Zone V!

I figured I just screwed up in the test so I reshot. I got

the same results, so at least I know the developing is somewhat consistent. I reshot one more time to be sure the guy behind

the lens wasn't crazy. Same results.

I looked high and low for development times, my old Kodak

Darkroom Dataguide had a recommended time for Tri-X and

HC110(B) listed around 5min. Odd I thought, did the film change

at some point? I reshot the test, developed for 5min 15sec,

I still come out with densities to high, although closer.

If I were to use the 5:15 developing time I'd have a E.I.

if 1600! ARGGG.

 

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The meter used is my spot meter I used for the film testing

for the Tri-X sheet film. I use Tri-X sheet film with a

E.I. of 160 with very normal development times, close to

Kodak recommended times. The meter in the 35mm agrees

with 4 other 3 other meters, within 1/3 of a stop. So

I'm sure that isn't the cause.

 

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I'm running the tests with a Pentax LX, 50mm f:2. I don't

think the lens, or the shutter is _that_ far off. I could

accept a 1/3 or 2/3 of stop error, but not 2 stops!

 

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Something is very odd, any ideas out there?

 

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-Dean

Try 6.75 minutes at 68F with a EI of 200. You mentioned how your tests looked but you did not mention how your film exposed to actual photographic subjects looked. If you test a roll of film with all Zone I exposures your developer activity will be too high for a realistic test. A couple of ways to test roll film is to test Zone I, V and VIII at the same time, another approach is to have only 4 or 5 Zone I and the rest of the roll be real pictures. Also I don't beleive it is necessary to be within 1/3 or 2/3 stops on roll film because your aperature won't always have small enough adjustments to get you that close anyway, just error on the side of overexposure within limits.