Kodak T400 TMax Black and White

I don't know what all of the talk about C-41 processing is because this film, well, isn't. Hmm... should I listen to what people who don't even know what film they're reviewing? No. That being said - One word: Ug. Some day I will understand why photo teachers push this stuff like it is the film to end all films. Maybe. It washes out highlights, makes shadows pure black. It kills the detail, the subtlety, the emotion of any photo. Grain is horrible for a 400 speed film unless used and developed at ISO 100. If I were going to do that I would just buy 100 speed film. Simply put, there are better B&Ws out there, so why use something that’s –almost– good. I used this stuff almost exclusively for my entire first year of photography (10th grade, oh so long ago). I thought that I was a horrible photographer. I mean, how in the world could professionals get all of that detail, that feeling, that wow. Then, on a whim, I picked up a pack of a different black and white. It was like a whole different world. I haven't used this stuff since.

Flexibility. Readily available.

Washed out highlights. Black shadows. Low contrast (without manipulation) Grainy when used as directed. There is just so many better options that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone for anything.

HP5 & Delta, Tri-X

Standard documentation provided on website.

Sorry, I hate this film. It is excessively grainy and has very poor tonal rendition.. Highlights get washed out and shadows dump to black. and in evenly lit situations the grain structure looks sand. I tried blowing 6x4.5 negatives up to 16x20 with terrible results.

can't think of any

expensive grainy difficult to control

Tri-X, Agfa 400, HP-5

none needed

What are you people using? TMY400 is NOT c-41 film. Use B+W chemistry. I think only a few reviews picked up on that.

Fantastic grain. Good in low light. When shot it brightly lit situations the high values tend to block a little, but in, say, cloudy-partly cloudy light the shadows and highlights have great detail. Works really well w/35mm and long lenses, you can blow the pictures up to at least 8x10 with excellent grain. I was amazed at the difference the first time I went to it.

Picky when it comes to developing. Kind of expensive, depending where you get it.

TriX, TMX100

Kodak has very well documented information on development of the film.

In the last 3 years I have used Techpan (very expensive to process as I can only use Pro labs in Melbourne, as B+W -that is Techpan- processing is not offered in the average lab, and even Pro labs are reluctant to process it) a number of times with my Contax TVS II and the results were awesome!! The previous reviewer of the TMax 400 was very negative in his comments, and I too have experienced his angst the first time I had this film developed... The prints were not even close to looking like B+W, yes there were green tinge's, and that fake B+W, processed in colour developer look. My disappointment was even worse since I had just received my Techpan prints (5x7 prints of the Shrine of Remembrance -which I only recently learned I was NOT supposed to photograph...DOH! - taken at 2am in the morning, at 5 minute + exposures -I was pulling numbers out of thin air!!- and they were great) So I left Kodak T400 TMax,C41 alone for 6 months due to my disappointment. Recently I have purchased (due to my Mamiya 6x6 gear getting stolen - if I ever catch the B******d.... but I digress..again) a Canon EOS 30 with 28-70 2.8 L lens, so I thought I might try the film again, but this time had it processed at a Semi Pro lab (pay a bit more as the results are a revelation) and I am impressed!! This film is sensational!! My suggestion for best results, for that true to B+W look, have the film processed at a Pro or semi Pro lab (the ones with digital processing are the best, but pricey) and you will never look back! P.S If your lab has the option to have your prints printed with a Black border, go for it!!! White borders have that pro look, however Black borders, either on colour or B+W prints are sensational, the prints sell them self’s….try it out; you will never use a white border again!

Good price, and great results if printed at a reputable Lab, if you get results as the previous user, dont give up, try another lab, you will glad that you did! Skin tones are great, flash photo's are sweet, no grain at 6x4 (have not had enlargements made, but I dont think grain is an issue with this film)

Have any film processed at Rabit photo (a cheap and very, very nasty lab) and you will get nasty results..simple! Pay a few dollars more and only joy will result

Techpan (35mm and 120), The Kodak 1600 speed B+W (I love grain)

For film? why bother...?

Don't.

c-41 process

c-41 process (the strength is its weakness). There is obviously not enough consistancy in the c-41 process to achieve repeatable, or even acceptable results (even Kodak processors can't get it right). The ONLY reason to use this film is the c-41 process - all other b&w films give superior results. So if you need quick and lousy b&w prints from your 1-hour processor, this is the film for you. Also, for you darkroom folks, the negatives take 3 times the exposure that conventional films require - a situation that could fog your enlarging paper.

All conventional Kodak b&w films (Tri-x, TMax 100, 400, 3200)

As good as the film