Cant get Tri-X 0ut of my system.

John Bragg

John Bragg

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I am trying very hard to shoot other film but the siren call of Tri-X keeps luring me back. There is just something about it that keeps my loyalty. I cant help feeling unfaithful when I use another emulsion, like I have betrayed a lover or an old friend.:bang:

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Very nice, is it Cornwall? I can't get TriX out my system either. I will go to Ilford if that happens.

Don't tell me that is your Olympus.
 
Hi John and thanks. Yes it is a dis-used copper mine on Bodmin moor. (Doc Martin territory). A place I just keep going back to. Just like Tri-X I guess ! It was taken with my Nikon FM2n and a Vivitar Komine 135mm f2.8.
 
Beautiful photograph!

I tried all the emulsions over the last few years and just like you find Tri-X perfect. It isn't the world's best selling b/w film for nothing! Just love it in HC-110 and Diafine when I need a push.
 
I think there's a lot of hype with Tri-X. What I mean by this is simple: There have been so many new versions of Tri-X, each of them having almost nothing to do with the old one that only hype has kept it where it is today. People listening to people that have listened to poeple having told them, back in the 80's, how Tri-X is good.

I really like Tri-X. But I really like HP5, Neopan, Foma... Just as much. Take out the Hype and I'm not sure Tri-X is as special as it's supposed to be (as it once really was!)
 
I have found that most BW films look just about the same at their respective speeds until they are enlarged in print form to a decent size (say 11x14 in 35mm I can start to see the differences).

Tri-X, like HP5+, will be my favorite film(s) because it's extremely difficult to get something that is not printable from it. In the same vein, these two films are pushable/pullable to extremes. Gotta love that flexibility!
 
Cant get Tri-X 0ut of my system ...

You do realise that Kodak are currently working on doing that for you! :D
 
I love Tri-x, or I thought I did. Sometimes I'll go back through some old shots thinking about their luscious tonality (lol) and they always seem to be on HP5+!!
 
Clint Troy said:
I think there's a lot of hype with Tri-X. What I mean by this is simple: There have been so many new versions of Tri-X, each of them having almost nothing to do with the old one that only hype has kept it where it is today. People listening to people that have listened to poeple having told them, back in the 80's, how Tri-X is good.

I really like Tri-X. But I really like HP5, Neopan, Foma... Just as much. Take out the Hype and I'm not sure Tri-X is as special as it's supposed to be (as it once really was!)
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So many versions? I know of three: The original, which I think was something like ASA 200, then the jump to ASA 400, (although I can't give you the date for that) and then some sort of emulsion change in 2007 or 2009.

I've used Tri-X since about 1970 and it's always been damn good. Earned popularity is not hype, and Tri-X's popularity does not diminish the quality or visual nuances of any of the other fine emulsions you mention. It's not a zero sum gain.

Cheers,

s-a
 
Clint Troy said:
I think there's a lot of hype with Tri-X. What I mean by this is simple: There have been so many new versions of Tri-X, each of them having almost nothing to do with the old one that only hype has kept it where it is today. People listening to people that have listened to poeple having told them, back in the 80's, how Tri-X is good.

I really like Tri-X. But I really like HP5, Neopan, Foma... Just as much. Take out the Hype and I'm not sure Tri-X is as special as it's supposed to be (as it once really was!)
Click to expand...

Fwiiw, I've been bulk rolling HP5+ for a while and the other day I shot a roll of HP5+ and reached for another roll of film and all I had in my bag was Tri-X, so I shot a roll a Tri-X in the same light/location. Well for me the Tri-X was more true to what I wanted.....no marketing gimmicks nor film-peer-pressure, just artistic decision. I respectfully disagree with your premise considering, for me, my decision was artistic/empirical.....
 
hausen said:
I have been trying to wean myself off Tri-X and really like FP4+ in my Rollei. Scan really nicely.
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Me too. I've been shooting some FP4+ in my Leica-cum-Sonnar 1.5, and it looks great so far, but a bit under exposed. I remember shooting it in my Nikon F at 80 for best results ten years ago. May have to do that in the M3 as well.
 
John Bragg said:
I am trying very hard to shoot other film but the siren call of Tri-X keeps luring me back. There is just something about it that keeps my loyalty. I cant help feeling unfaithful when I use another emulsion, like I have betrayed a lover or an old friend.:bang:
Click to expand...
Beautiful picture. Reminds me a little of James Ravinious. Beautiful tones. I love Tri-X, too. I hope it stays around a bit longer.
 
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