Delta 3200 / D76

Hi,

I've shot some Delta 3200 (120) and developed in D76 (devchart time) and it did not turned out too well. I underexposed the film and more underdeveloped. I have exposed at 3200.

I've found many views regarding Delta 3200 and D76. I know it's not a true 3200 film, but with Ilford DD-X I've pushed it to 25600.

How do you suggest to expose/develop ? I have only two rolls left and some pictures that I want to make soon, can't make any tests now.

T-Max developer and that film always reliable and consistent, and just plain good. Don't re-invent the wheel when 10's of thousands of dollars were invested to create that system. IMO

Vladimir --

D-76 does indeed work well fwith Delta 3200. The problem is that Ilford seems to have underestimated the development times on their chart. For whatever EI you rate that film at, develop it for the time the chart recommends for twice that EI. In other words, if you rate the film at 3200, use the recommended time for 6400, which is 13 minutes at 68 F. Be sure to use the D-76 undiluted and discard after use.

I have used Delta 3200 for years now at various EI's using the above protocol with excellent results, and from time to time I have read posts from other users that concur with the extended development times.

Regarding the above post and T-Max developer, I'm sure it can be used with Delta 3200, but T-Max is a Kodak developer, and Delta 3200 is an Ilford film, so I'm doubtful that Kodak spent large amounts of money to create a system to match the two, especially since Kodak has it's own 3200 film.

Best Regards,

Dave

OOOOPSS I am sorry... regarding misunderstanding of the Kodak vs Ilford product.
When I think 3200 film... I think Kodak... didn't realize Ilford made a similar product... my bad.

Hi,

Thanks.

I don't change developer anyway. I have a nice system for now: rodinal (low iso, low contrast) + D76 (high iso). I used DD-X instead of D76 but I found it too expensive.

I have found that the best results are achieved by exposing at around EI1000-1200 and developing for the time indicated for EI3200 (diffusion enlarger).

There are people around who will claim that it is indeed an ISO 3200 film. I won't argue about that. I just can't get an acceptable negative at that EI.

Vladimir, I echo what Dave Martiny said above.

To shoot the film at exposure index 3200 is definitely about a 1.5 stop under-exposure, so you have to over-develop quite a bit. D76 should work just fine, and I recommend starting at the EI 6400 time that Ilford has posted for that developer, if you shoot it at 3200.
I have even used Kodak HC-110 to do that, and it works great. Some shadow detail is with low separation, but the prints look wonderful.

- Thomas

I agree with shooting at a given EI and developing for the time one stop (or more) higher. My times, at 1000/1200, are about the same as the published 3200 times.

FWIW I would use something faster like DDX because you really do get more speed (which is the reason you are using it presumably) Xtol 1+1 or 1+2 works a treat too. DDX at 1+7 or 1+9 gives superb results and is much more economical than 1+4. Both give about half a stop more speed than D76.

I only rate it faster than 1600 when the scene has a low contrast range. I've pushed to 6400 and had very nice results.