delta 3200 and plus-x

[dxphoto]

Hi,

What is the best developing solution for expired Ilford Delta 3200 and Kodak Plus-x 125? I have D76 and Rodinal. I usually use De I only shot delta3200 once at 3200. I love delta 100 in rodinal.

Thanks.

 

[pschauss]

D76 should work well for either one. Rodinal will work well on Plus-X but it is likely to make Delta 3200 a bit grainy.

 

[fschifano]

D-76 and Plus-X is an excellent combination, much better than Rodinal and Plus-X in my opinion. Rodinal won't let you exploit the full film speed of Plus-X and doesn't deliver nearly as much shadow detail as D-76. It will punch up the mid-tones at the expense of shadow and highlight details though, making it acceptable if you are working under controlled lighting conditions. The fact that your Plus-X is out of date should be no problem unless it's very, very old, and/or has not been properly stored. The cooler it's been kept, the better your chances are of having a perfectly good piece of film.

Delta 3200, like its American cousin TMax P3200, doesn't age nearly as gracefully. I had some TMax P3200 two years out of date that had been stored in the freezer. When I used it, base fog was high and the film had lost a good bit of its sensitivity. I'd expect Delta 3200 to behave in a similar manner. Having said that, your best shot with this film will again be to use D-76. Rodinal is not a speed enhancing developer. It is especially not good as a push developer, which is exactly what's needed for a super speed film.

 

[dxphoto]

Thanks guys. what if I rate aged Delta 3200 say 400, and develop it as 800 or 1600?