Tri-X on the beach

A couple of films returned last week and I was somewhat disappointed. Instead of the reader Ray recommended XP2, which gives lovely clean images like this:

I tried Tri-X, a classic Kodak B&W film. The results were more grainy than I would like and lacking in the clarity I saw from previous efforts. With one eye closed you could say the look creates some atmosphere, with both eyes open you might say they are shit. Anyway, here are a few taken on the beach, mainly into the sun, with the Leica 0 and Leica I.

Comments 🔗

2015-06-10 | Ron says

I’d question the batch of film or the processing these are way to grainy.

2015-06-10 | Andrew says

yeah, I have shot a LOT of Tri-X and although the newer was no where near the older Tri-X ( circa 1985 ) it was never like that - I did prefer Pan-X with its lower ISO ( and even less grain ) but unfortunately that has gone by the wayside - Ilford PanF Plus ( 50 ISO ) is a bit closer but I have always found Ilford B&W to be a bit “thin” compared to old Pan-X and these days we have even fewer choices - I think I would give Fuji Acros 100 a try - and maybe look for a better lab as well…

2015-06-12 | Spike says

Happy with the lab so far, but indeed I think they screwed up the processing on these. I am reverting to XP2 which very clean when shot at ISO 200 and is processed with C41 and therefore cheaper to process!

2015-06-17 | Parry says

Spike, I’ll send you some Lightroom film reproduction presets. No need to suffer like this, technology has moved on.