Question for all you Tech Pan Users

[james_driscoll2]

I am interested in starting to use Tech Pan, but am looking for EI

starting points, and developer suggestions. If any of you guys can

enlighten me, I would appreciate it!!!

 

PS: I am looking for "normal" rendering of contrast. I used to shoot

tech pan in 35mm to get extreme high contrast effects, but now I am

interested in using it for "normal" photography.

 

I will be processing the film in either trays or tanks by hand, so I

am looking for like experiences- I am only saying this because I know

alot of you process in Jobo machines.

 

thanks jd

[skygzr]

Hi James �

 

I wouldn�t discourage you from trying Tech Pan as a �normal� film, but I�ve never had good luck with it. I seem to get frequent unpleasant surprises, usually in the form of empty shadows. Some people just love this stuff, but I�ve sworn off it.

 

I�m not saying you can�t get a good picture out of it, but it ain�t easy.

 

Having said that, I had my best success with Ethol TEC. Give it a whirl. You might do better than me.

[michael_briggs2]

Kodak used to have a brochure with a title something like "4x5 Quality from 35 mm", the answer being Tech-Pan. Since this is the Large Format Photography Forum, the answer is that you get 4x5 quality with virtually any 4x5 film. Seriously, are you sure that you need Tech Pan to avoid grain in your LF photography? With Tech Pan obtaining good tonality (normal rendering of contrast) will be a struggle. Have you tried TMax 100 or Delta 100? Unless you plan really huge enlargements, you will probably find prints from these films to be grainless or virtually so, and that obtaining good tonality is much easier than with Tech Pan.

[stephen hazelton]

Try this- Kodak's data sheet:

 

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/p255/p255.jhtml?id=0.3.8.20.14.6&lc=en

[wieslaw1]

Same problems as about 10 days ago.

Here is a Tech Pan example, but please read the comments here:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004wHw<div></div>

[qdb]

I too used to use Tech Pan in 35mm, rated at 25 ISO and developed in Kodak's recommended developer, Technodol. Fab quality, reasonably low contrast. With LF, as you may know, the big issue is even development, which is one reason I have never tried it in LF. I doubt you would get even development in Jobo drums.

 

Quentin

[scott_walton2]

I have used this stuff for years with great results. With Divided D76, I got an

E.I. of 100. Technidol @25 for moderately high contrasty situations and POTA

for really high contrast situations where you want shadow detail too. at 12. All

done in tanks with little agitation!!!

[james_driscoll2]

grain is not my consideration, nor was it ever. the reason for my

interest in Tech Pan, is it does have a certain look to it that the

other films don't. I also have a box of 8x10 sitting around that I

paid $60.00 for. It usually costs around $375.00!!! So, instead of

letting it sit there I would like to use it.

 

thanks for all the answers, and keep them coming!!!

 

thanks JDJDJD

[aaron_van_de_sande]

If you are getting adventurous, you could try weston pyro @ 6 or 12, I have had success with this with efke pl25.

[dave_mueller]

For starters, stick with Technidol and the Kodak datasheet.

[brian_c._miller]

I use Techpan in a lot of stuff. I like it! I haven't had problems with my shadows. But I also pull the film slightly and use slightly shorter development times. I have only processed this film by hand, according to Kodak methods.

[john_gerndt1]

My experience is that you need the right situation for shooting the stuff. Fog lighting I call it, super soft light. I develop it per Kodak but only four sheets at a time. I agree that a good Tech Pan neg looks too thin.

 

John

[robert_hageman]

Has to be my favorite film, especially now that Agfa APX 25 has

dissappeared. Use TP in everything 8x11mm (Minox) through

8x10" (Sinar). Have used technidol for the last ten years and am

very satisfied. Personally feel pre-soak is vital.

Hope it stayes around for a long time.

R.Hageman