The reintroduction of TMax P3200 had a bit of a polarizing effect on the film photography community. Many welcomed it back, seeing this as a positive step for Kodak, a teaser before they get the new Ektachrome back on shelves and in cameras. Others were rather derisive on the move, decrying it wanting films like Plus-X back before a high-speed film because we still have Ilford Delta 3200 and it comes in Medium Format as well! I took a more balanced approach, I’ve only really shot high-speed films a few times, but I figured hey, might as well give it a go. I had shot some P3200 back in 2013 and was none too pleased with the results. But now, having fully fleshed out the film, I’m rather pleased with it.
Film Specs
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-3200, Latitude:
Formats Avaliable: 35mm
Roll 01 – Kodak HC-110
I do have to say I’m rather surprised at how well the film turned out, giving the rather big pull. The grain is reasonable given all the circumstances. While there’s still a decent amount of grain, it’s pleasing in the sense that it shows that the film still maintains a level of sharpness for a native 3200-speed film. Even with a two stop pull, you get the same tonal range and contrast but that might have the help of HC-110. It shows the latitude of the film both above and below the box speed.
Technical Details:
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Kodak TMax P3200 @ ASA-800
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 8:30 @ 20C
Roll 02 – Ilford Microphen
By far my favourite from the lot, everything you want in a T-Grained film is here, sharpness, pleasing grain, contrast, and tone. With a single stop pull, the film transformed entirely, I actually think the native box speed for P3200 is ASA-1600 looking at these results, heck, the negatives look printable in a darkroom. Probably nothing bigger than say 5×7, but still the results are pretty awesome. And considering I shot these under several different lighting conditions and the results are pretty much constant across the board. We have a winner here.
Technical Details:
Nikon F90 – AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4D – Kodak TMax P3200 @ ASA-1600
Ilford Microphen (Stock) 10:30 @ 20C
Roll 03 – Kodak TMax Developer
The first thought through my brain when I scanned in the film was ‘would you look at that grain’ oh yeah, but there was no really stopping the grain, but then as I kept moving I noted how sharp the film was even with the grain, it just looked good! And that’s saying something because I was shooting in many cases in really weird lighting conditions. Churches, specifically, the big cathedrals in Quebec aren’t exactly the best for handheld shooting. Yet, I was getting amazing images despite everything, sharp, tonal range is spot on, and an amazing contrast!
Techincal Details:
Nikon F5 – AF Nikkor 35mm 1:2D – Kodak TMax P3200 @ ASA-3200
Kodak TMax Developer (1+4) 9:30 @ 20C
Roll 04 – Kodak D-76
There’s ugly and then there’s ugly, I honestly don’t know what I was thinking D-76 is not exactly the best choice for pushing a film, but sometimes you have to just give it ago. Yet, I found that as I moved through the images I embraced the grain, accepted the dense negatives. I mean what else could you do. While I wasn’t exactly shooting in the best conditions either so there’s a very black and white feel to many of these images. So no, D-76 and pushing the film is probably not your best option, but it might do better if you pulled the film.
Technical Details:
Nikon F5 – AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm 1:2.8G – Kodak TMax P3200 @ ASA-6400
Kodak D-76 (Stock) 15:30 @ 20C
Final Thoughts
Films faster that ASA-400 don’t sit too well with me, but then again if I’m shooting in low light I’m normally using a tripod, however, after shooting through these four rolls I could see myself getting a roll to shoot at a wedding either at 1600 or 3200 my two favourite speeds for the film. And while yes, there’s always Delta 3200, I like to make sure to spread the love around and support all my favourite film manufactures. And if I needed to do some Medium Format work with high-speed films, then I’ll always have Delta! Thankfully, Kodak spread the net wide and P3200 is avalible through all your favourite online and physical camera shops!
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