Best? B+W film for 800/1600ASA

[2F/2F]

Delta 3200 at its "actual" EI of 1000 is not too grainy, and is nice and low in contrast. Same with TMax at its Kodak-recommended EI of 800. To reduce grain, you can develop at a stronger dilution and higher temp to reduce time. Fuji Neopan is an option too, although I don't know much about it...have only used it once, at 3200, and haven't printed from it yet so don't know...

I always rate HP5 at 800-1000 for "normal" shooting (meaning non-zone system) for the way I develop. I find it necessary to do this in order to give the film "normal" contrast, even on a grade three paper, which is what I use as the "neutral" paper for most of my printing. I like blacks to be black. I find shadow detail to be overrated. Personal choice, of course. I have had no problems with grain so far. But that is really a personal thing...If I wanted to avoid grain first and foremost, I wouldn't even be shooting 35mm. However, if you hate grain, go with Delta 400 at 800 or 1000. I used to use this film when I was "new", as it was the most recommended by my instructors, but have realized over time that I highly prefer the qualities of the non-t-grained films much better. Although, I did really like Delta 400 in Tmax developer the one time I tried it. Because of this, I think that T-grained films are probably best when souped in their matching developer. This, again, is a personal decision.

 

[strangepics]

I've tried everything except Tmax 3200. Neopan 1600 wins hands down. Microphen or Diafine.

 

[kram]

Thanks folks. A lot to think about. As pointed out everyone has their favourites, but different different developers effect the the results. It was the combination of Delta grain and muddiness(?) in the shadows/dark areas+ grain which I did not like. It seemed that there was detail in the the high mid tones and highlights, but not so much in the low tones? (which was why I tried it at 1600, would 1000 be an improvement). Another question. Although T-grain films can be developed in most developers- do most people agree that they are best in the there specialised developers. Or there is no real gain in using these more expensive developers?

 

[Larry Bullis]

I don't think there is any way to really answer this. Everyone has favorite developers that accord with her/his tastes. For my part I prefer the older film formulas in high acutance developers, but many absolutely would hate the kind of result I appreciate. I like a bit of grain, which I want to be sharp and perfectly defined, and some adjacency effects. I loved the old 2475 recording film processed in pyrocatechin (for night work with light sources included or performance) and also, even better, in MCM 100. The grain structure was elegant, looking like 1953. Of course, that one cut the emulsion speed back to half of the 800 that it REALLY was, as opposed to the stated speed of 1250. I make my own developers from scratch, so the expense is minimized.

My wife shoots zone plate, using delta 3200 6x6 exposed at 800, and we develop it in Beutler's. Soft image made of sharp grains. Gorgeous.

I'm sure that you will get other favorites, too, but whenever you ask about "best" the answers you will get are going to be opinions, therefore subjective. Hopefully, respondents will try to state their standards for the evaluations they supply. Otherwise, it could be hard to gain much understanding.