machine processing Kodak IR

[schaf <schaf@xxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

I'm new to the list and saw a note in Keith Zimmerman's
post that he was experimenting with machine processing
IR. I'm a lazy sort so after 13 years of shooting IR, I am now
sending all of my film to the local custom lab. If I shoot at
200ASA TTL (32ASA handheld meter) and I drop my film off at
the lab, I tell them to process it as if it were T-max 100. And
I get beautiful, fine grained, easy to print negatives. My
lab uses T-MAX RS developer in a Dip and Dunk type film
processing machine, so nothing but developer ever touches
the (very easy to scratch) IR film. I recently gave an Infrared
workshop in Venice Beach California at the Julia Dean Photo
Workshops, and we did tests with their local lab which used
XTOL developer in their machine, the Kodak IR film needed to be
rated at 100ASA TTL (16ASA handheld) to match Tmax 100 film
processing time recommendations with the XTOL developer.
So we had the lab (Santa Monica Custom Lab) develop the film
at 11 minutes instead of the  standard 9 minutes they process
Tmax 100 at. The 11 minute time worked out fine and the class
was able to shoot at 200ASA TTL with 23-25 and 29 filters. If you
can get your local lab to process your film at their Tmax time
you should not have to wait for special runs, or pay for special
Infrared processing, or push processing, because they can run
the IR film along with the more common Tmax 100.

Let me know if you have any questions, back when I did do my
own processing I favored D-76 diluted 1:1 with Crone-C additive
to boost shadow detail, so as you can see, I like fine grain. If you're
into golfball sized grain I don't think many automated labs are
going to work for you.
+                                        schaf@xxxxxxxx
+	     	                  ***
+                         http://www.schafphoto.com
+
+      Stephen Schafer at Schaf Photo, Ventura California
+                                      Fon: 805/652-1000
*
****
*******
******************************************************
*  To remove yourself from this list, send:          *
*         UNSUBSCRIBE INFRARED                       *
*       to                                           *
*         MAJORDOMO@xxxxx                            *
*----------------------------------------------------*
*   For the IR-FAQ, IR-Gallery and heaps of links:   *
*  http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm  *
******************************************************