An unrelenting crush on B&W 16mm

Tim Carroll · April 27, 2008

How about someone with a 35mm camera, even an Eyemo, shoot a 100ft roll of T-Max as an independent test so we could see if it would indeed make a great B+W movie stock?

I think the issue here would be, where are you going to get it developed? I've got access to an Arriflex 35mm camera, but I do not know of anyone who can process 100 ft of T-Max film with T-Max developers.

Best,

-Tim

David Leugers · April 28, 2008

Tim, that is one of the issues, but I would think that someone would have a processing tank (a Morse?) that could handle 100ft of 35mm... kinda like the chicken or the egg. Why go to the trouble to set up for T-Max development, if it is not a good choice for a film stock, or is it not a good choice because of the lack of development services? I for one love Plus-X in all its forms: reversal, negative and still film. One experience I had with still film was in attempting to create a negative with my Canon 35mm of an antique photo in a museum of an ancestor of mine. I tried on two occasions using T-Max 100 and never got what I was after. I shot it a 3rd time with Plus-X and it came out perfect, same lighting, camera and lens. I was very surprised.

K Borowski · April 28, 2008

I'll hapilly volutneer to process the stuff, not in my Morse tank though; they're abyssmal. I'll need to dig up a 100-foot spiral reel. I'll also provide the T-Max 400-II for test purposes.

I don't have a 35mm MP camera though, just a 16, so someone else will have to conduct the actual shooting portion of the test.

I'm pretty sure that a mid-50s high-speed film stock is going to get destroyed by a 2007 stock that they threw a million dollars into developing (no pun intended)

~KB

Will Montgomery · April 29, 2008

On those 100' rolls of 35mm, wouldn't any decent pro still photo lab be able to process? Obviously ask them not to cut the negs...

K Borowski · April 29, 2008

On those 100' rolls of 35mm, wouldn't any decent pro still photo lab be able to process? Obviously ask them not to cut the negs...

I'd like to think I AM a decent pro still photo lab. Labs cannot process 100 foot rolls except with special machinery, at least not without a lot of risk at having a lot of problems.

Will Montgomery · May 1, 2008

I'd like to think I AM a decent pro still photo lab. Labs cannot process 100 foot rolls except with special machinery, at least not without a lot of risk at having a lot of problems.

Wasn't implying you weren't, didn't even know you had a lab. I know my local lab BWC here in Dallas would have no problem with it.

Tim Carroll · May 1, 2008

Wasn't implying you weren't, didn't even know you had a lab. I know my local lab BWC here in Dallas would have no problem with it.

Will,

Your lab will process 100 feet of T-Max black and white film, using T-Max chemicals and the T-Max process? I didn't know of any lab that could or would do that.

Best,

-Tim

Nick Mulder · May 2, 2008

30,000' 7276 Plus X

30,000' 7374

and a heap load more of odd's and ends all in the fridge

the top two still develop fine after at least 20 years - going to try and keep it until its a rarity ;)

- shot on plus X neg ...

Eric Steinberg · May 8, 2008

I love the Plus-X and the Tri-X, but my favorite right now is the Hi-Con (7363?) ASA 8. I'm sad that it's only a dual-perf film; I'd love to shoot that film in Super. I shot a few indoor scenes with a roll of that stuff, and way underestimated the light.....what came out was just highlights in a sea of black, the most amazing effect.

Will Montgomery · May 12, 2008

Will,

Your lab will process 100 feet of T-Max black and white film, using T-Max chemicals and the T-Max process? I didn't know of any lab that could or would do that.

Best,

-Tim

I stand corrected, just talked to my lab. Because of the drying situation they can't do 100ft rolls. He however did say he was sure there was a lab in LA or he even said in Kansas (Dwaynes? That's the only lab I know there) that could although he couldn't think of the name at the time. I however do not say that it is possible as I opened my fat mouth without actually checking.

Tim Carroll · May 13, 2008

I stand corrected, just talked to my lab. Because of the drying situation they can't do 100ft rolls. He however did say he was sure there was a lab in LA or he even said in Kansas (Dwaynes? That's the only lab I know there) that could although he couldn't think of the name at the time. I however do not say that it is possible as I opened my fat mouth without actually checking.

What you are describing is what my experience is as well. I have found many photo labs that use T-Max chemicals and use the T-Max process for T-Max Black & White films, but none of those labs could handle 100 ft rolls of film. And I have also found many motion picture labs that can handle 100 ft rolls of film, but none of them use the Black & White T-Max chemicals or T-Max process.

Would be interesting if someone found a lab that could do both.

Best,

-Tim