D-76 vs. Tmax Developer (2025)

Tmax dev and also Xtol are supposed to give slightly better results with Tmax films, the quality differences will really be most noticeable with 35mm but both give slightly better effective film speed than D76, and are better for push processing as well.

I've used Tmax 100 & 400 in both, personally I prefer Xtol of the two but both give superb negatives/prints.

Ian

'Plain' TMax developer is for use with 35mm and 120 TMax film...the sheet requires the RS version.

I've always used the TMax developer with TMax100 films (in 35 and 120) and am pretty happy with it. Tight grain, nice tonal range but of course TMax is a fussy film in that you have to be very consistent with your developing process.

Good Afternoon, Bob,

As I've posted before in other threads, the regular T-Max developer is definitely worth trying on sheet film. Some users have apparently reported the formation of dichroic fog with that combination. I never have. My T-100 and T-400 sheet negatives in regular T-Max developer turn out just as flawlessly as the same films in 120 and 35mm; that is fortunate, since I need only kind of developer for all my T-Max film. I disagree with Colin that T-Max films are "fussy" (I prefer to think of them as just very responsive to plus or minus development) but agree with him that being consistent in processing practices is important. After all, we should always be consistent and particular in our processing.

Konical

but really, are either of these really significantly different from or better than D-76? Maybe...maybe not. Especially if one is accustomed to D-76.

Point is, changing developers simply fro the sake of change is maybe, not such a good idea.

The simple way to deal with TMAX vs. TMAX RS is to use TMAX RS only, regardless of film format. They cost the same and the only practical difference is dumping the little bottle into the big bottle before you start using it.

A practical advantage of TMAX RS developer vs. D76 (or Xtol) is that TMAX RS is a liquid concentrate. Just pour part B into the part A bottle and you are ready to go. Common dilutions from the bottle are 1:4, 1:7, or 1:9.

I use TMAX 100 film with the RS developer and have been satisfied. However, like you I tried to stick with one process but now I am at a point where I want to experiment. I need the time, but I want to test TMAX 100, TMAX 400, HP5 with TMAX RS, DDX, Perceptol, and Xtol doing BTZS film testing. I have all of the materials but need the time and will. I suspect that I might like TMAX 400 plus Xtol but who knows. My goal is to find a single developer for a wide range of expanded and contracted development. With TMAX RS I can go from roughly N-2 to N+2.

bobwysiwyg said:

Is there any advantage to using Tmax developer over D-76?

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I can only speak about T-100 with D-76 (1:1) using a Combi-plan tank and inversion agitation. The curve responds to my process with a short toe and a long straight line. With my testing I get full box speed between N+1 and N-1; a 1/3 loss of film speed at N-2 and 1/3 gain in speed at N+2.

But what I like about my process with D-76 (1:1) is that at N-1 and -2, the midtones are very robust----owing this to the long straight line nature of the curve with this developer. To me, it's how well the film/dev combination reacts in the midtones, about zones IV, V, and VI that is a main factor. It's easy for me to talk about it in this way because I can make my own curves and go out and shoot to confirm results, but if you can't do that, then your're going to have to just evaluate it visually. As a point of contrast, all my tests with HC-110 have produced an upswept curve that has a longer toe and weaker midtone densities.

bobwysiwyg said:

As a recent returnee to film, I've been trying to keep things straightforward and consistent for the time being. Thus far I have been sticking with Tmax film (100 & 400) for both 35mm and 4x5. As for the developer, I have been using D-76 and really have no complaints, but also no point of comparision. I'm about out of developer and need to purchase more. Is there any advantage to using Tmax developer over D-76? On one hand I assume it has some properties that are beneficial considering the naming of the film and developer, but who knows. Hopefully, down the road I will feel more confident to try both different films and developers. Thanks in advance.

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I always found that if you have a process and like the result, why fuss with it? If you like the result with D-76 then stay with D-76.... Lots of people go out and try a lot of different things, and just end up spending a lot of time and money on different stuff, only to go back to what they started with.

At one point Xtol was Kodak's recommended developer for T-max films; don't know if that's still the case. It's my go-to for all films, and gives beautiful results. I keep some bags of D-76 on hand also, as well as metol and sulfite for making D-76H. I like a few films better in D-76; 400TMY2 especially looks good in it.

I have a bit of HC-110 left but don't think I'm going to re-up when it runs out; I got it mainly because I wanted something with a long shelf life, but other than 100TMX i've not found a film that looks as good in HC-110 as in Xtol or D-76.

Best solution for shelf-life: shoot a lot of film and use up a lot of developer, real fast!

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8300: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I use TMAX for push processing especially because it gives the most shadow detail of all the Kodak developers, according to their chart. I use it at 1+7 and 1+9 for the most part. I even do stand development with it and get a nice compensating effect.

I've found that not many people seem to use it compared to the other Kodak developers, but don't let that stop you from trying it. It is much easier to handle than XTOL because it is a liquid. I also get good results processing TMY-2 in 120 for 10 mins exposed at 320. Out of all the developers I've tried, I find that to be the best combo for portraits. I don't currently use it for traditional films unless I am push processing.

YMMV of course, but I think this developer is underrated. I wouldn't call it a replacement for D76 though. You may want to get both and do some testing. They are different animals.

Nick

Is there any appreciable difference in the "look" of a given film with TMAX developer vs TMAX RS? If not, then it makes sense just to use the latter.

I encountered dichroic fog with plain TMAX dev back in the old days before I used a Jobo processor; wonder if it'd be a problem in the Jobo?