New Tri-X vs old Tri-X, etc

I've been trying to pick up some older style B&W films lately to try

out. I'm looking for ones with better tonal range. I will be going

into the city to see if I can pick up some old tech high silver

content B&W films. I do have some rolls of Efke 25 on 120, but am

going to see what's available in 400 speed since Efke doesn't make a

speed in 400. I'll have to ask what they have. But reading up on Tri-

X, I decided to buy a couple rolls of it on 35mm to give it a try as

well. I have heard the new Tri-X is not the same as the old stuff

since Kodak moved the factory and revised the films. What I've read

is the new change has actually made the film worse. Anyone confirm

this? I was wondering to pick up some rolls of this in 120 as well,

but thinking that all they'll have now is the new stock stuff. I was

lucky enough to get old stock of Tri-X in 35mm. I'm also going to see

if I can get some Foma Pan film in 120 for 400 speed, or something

similar. They may have Maco as well, but not sure if its worth the

buy.

I shot a roll each of old and new, developed them together in D76 1:1 at the time Kodak gives for the old Tri-x. I couldn't see any difference worth noting.

I did a PEI on both the old and new tri-x. I found that I can develop both for the same

amount of time (D76 1:1 @ 68deg @ 11:15). However, I need to rate the old tri-x at

320 while I rate the new tri-x at 250.

 

As for the difference... other than the ISO rating, I haven't done to much of a a side by

side yet.

 

Jeff

While I'm still getting around to testing new v old in my soup, I've found that alot of places still sell the old stock. A local shop has a couple dozen single rolls, and I just bought bulk from adorama and it is old stock. And thats all 35mm. I've heard that you'd be very lucky to find a roll of 120 with new emulsion this early in the game. I ought to buy out the local stock here, just to have a supply on hand.

I have noticed very little difference. The new stuff is finer grained, I think. And has some purple dye in it a la TMAX, but not to that extent. I have really enjoyed the new stuff @1200 in Diafine.

Here are some quotes I'm seeing on this issue:

 

"This is meant as a warning. I've been a Tri-X user for 20 years and think it is (was?!) one of the best black and white films on the market. But this years Kodak changed all their B&W emulsions...moved them to a new manufacturing facility and 'improved' them. After shooting 20 roll of the new version (identifiable by new packaging) I've found that, though Kodak says the only difference will be slightly changed developing times I infact have found far less contrast, and negs that develop thinner than before at recommended times (the new times are on the Kodak website). I'm not saying the problems can't be overcome, but beware...it is a different film."

 

There were other comments on this, but I'm unable to relocate where I found them. I'll post them when I see them again.

My understanding is that new Tri-X is very similiar to the Tri-X pro that's been floating around for a few years. Tri-X pro is different in subtle, but also definitive ways. It's slower, has finer grain, doesn't respond to pushing as well, and negs look a bit thinner when yielding good images as mentioned above. I could always get EI 400 out of the classic Tri-X, but pro is a struggle to get EI 250 without punching out the highlights.

With respect to new Tri-X and old Tri-X, do yourself a favor and DO NOT experiment with the old stuff. It will not be available in the future. I started shooting a few years ago. My favorite color film was Royal Gold 25. Awesome stuff- all the attributes of Technical Pan, but in color. Then, the asinine powers-that-be in Rochester decided that they would discontinue it. It took two rolls to get hooked on it and after six months of enjoying a new hobby, I was S.O.L. Do not get smitten with old product.

Mark: I feel your pain...

 

Scott(1): I agree with Scott(2)'s description - 'new' TX is finer-grained, a tad less shadow detail at a given exposure, doesn't respond to push-processing quite as strongly. Whether it is actually a Tri-X Pro 320 clone I don't know - it's been 25 years since I shot the Pro film.

 

I wouldn't call it a 'worse' film - finer grain is hardly a minus. It's just subtly different. It's still 'old tech' in general feel.

 

The attached is 400TX ('new') shot under flat office fluorescent light at 500 - Leica 135 APO-Telyt - HC-110 at the 'normal' time for 'old' TX (68 degrees - 7.5 minutes).<div></div>

I know. I wish I could still buy Ektar 25/ Royal Gold 25. I'm even more miffed they have also now killed off Royal Gold 100. 400 is next, but at least with that one there is a new coming replacement which is supposed to be better. I bought 6 rolls off Tri X 400 (120) already and have another 5 coming in. I also had the chance to get the Pro version, but opted out. 11 rolls should last me a while till I order some "Classic" film from J and C in 120 400 speed. I also bought one roll of the new Tri-X 400 in 120 just to see what its about. I may just like it. The above picture still looks great actually, so the new stuff doesn't seem so bad. I got back my first roll of Tech Pan in 120, and its an interesting look when developed in Xtol. Has a very etched line drawing look. Not much in grey tones, so I won't be using Tech Pan too much by the look of it. The sky in one shot was blown out and the foreground very dark. I will reserve it to special types of shots. I don't think I'd wanna use it for portrait/ people shots. Anyone play with Classic Pan from J&C?

Oh jeez Mr. Pickering, now you've done it...

Yes I've really done myself in haven't I? :P :)

 

Really I don't use 400 speed that much over 100 or lower speed films. So what I have will last me a long time. I still have to use up 4 rolls of T-Max 400 yet. I'm trying to not to use that on anything really important. I also bought a roll of Hp5+ to try out Ilford once again. We used Ilford strictly in photography class way back. And when I use up the old Tri-X, I have that new roll of the same to see how its changed. I'm looking into J and C later on to get some 400 speed rolls from them. Anyone play with their own brand of film?

Since the new Tri-X has changed, the question now would be how does it compare with Ilford HP5+ now? The grain has obviously improved. Anyone have any input here?