Delta 3200 at 6400 in XTOL processing time?

[Phil Woodney]

I'll be heading to Egypt for my annual diving trip in January and want to shoot low-light in a Bedouin tent. I've never used a high-speed film like Delta 3200 before but figure that'll give me my best chance at success. I plan on pushing it a stop to 6400 and developing it in XTOL diluted 1:1 at 20C. I've searched the forums here as well as the Massive Development chart and the Ilford site and can't find a processing time. Can anyone offer me the benefits of their experience?
Thanks very much!
Phil

 

[Mike Kennedy]

You must an old copy of The Massive Development Chart.
Mine says Xtol/stock/Delta 6400/10 mins./ 20oc.
It also gives a time for Delta pushed to 12800. Sounds wicked. The only B&W film I have radically pushed is Tri-X and I love that.

Mike

 

[Phil Woodney]

Hi Mike,
Yeah, pushing it to 12800 does sound like fun! But as to my question, the MDC, Ilford and Kodak all give the time for 6400 at 20C using stock solution. I was hoping to find a time for 1:1 dilution. Any ideas?

Phil

 

[Mike Kennedy]

I ain,t no scientist but when I use "The Unofficial Kodak (spit) HC-110 Page" it says when you cut your developer in 1/2 then double the development time.
Only a guess !

Mike

 

[Phil Woodney]

Sadly, I ain't a scientist, either. But your idea sounds reasonable. I'll sacrifice a roll or two and try it out. If that doesn't work, I'll either try it using stock solution or maybe just push the hell out of some Tri-X.

Thanks for your help, Mike!

Phil