Arizona Treks

As with many, my income has slid downward with the current economic situation.  I am now pursuing some opportunities that would have been ignored a year ago.  I am also finding places that costs can be cut.  One area I am looking at is 8X10 film.  I never wish to compromise the quality of my work for cost.  So in looking at different films, quality is the uppermost priority.  

When I started large format photography, TMax was the film suggested.  In 4X5 it runs about $1.40/sheet.  The TMax 100 8X10 runs about $4.50/sheet.  I have found several people who hate TMax and other TGrain films.  I have heard different reasons from it is flat, to a simple, "I prefer the film I have used for the last 20 years".  Others love TMax film and will consider using nothing else.  Since I started using TMax and have only used one other with poor results, I am asking myself which camp I am in, or in the gray area.  Lack of experience is making me wonder if TMax is the best choice for me.

I recently discovered that TMax has a UV filter in the base which prevents use in alternative processes.  So if I wish to do alt processes, I must find another film to use for that.  Having another film is a minor inconvenience because you need to know the print type before shooting anyway.  But since I typically only carry 6 sheets of 8X10 with me, I must decide what I am shooting for before leaving the truck.  So this is beginning to turn into a hassle.

So I tried Adox CHS100 (same as Efke 100) and was pleased with the results.  I found that it seems I have more control over the film.  I can easily boost the contrast to a way over the top or subdue the contrast.  In short, I can control the film during development more easily than TMax.  The down-side is, the wet emulsion is very soft and I have damaged (read ruined) several sheets.  That is an solvable problem but will take work.  In short, I do not believe the quality will suffer by using the newer film.  At $2.50/sheet, the film is more affordable and it prints well in silver and alt processes.  There are 2 things standing in the way of switching over to Adox/Efke film.  It is not carried locally and I like to support local businesses.  The other is, ISO 100 is the fastest available.  There are times when ISO 400 is desirable.  So do I stick with TMax 400 (no alt process available) or try Ilford HP5 Plus to see how it fits.

All in all I think a change is in my future, carrying 3 or 4 different types of film is asking for trouble.  Carrying 2 types is bad enough but the chance of mistakes that ruin negatives goes up drastically as you introduce more different types.

Then there comes the thought os 4X5.  Same film there, or stick with TMax for 4X5.  Not an easy answer.