Delta 3200 developed by lab - question

[MMfoto]

Good suggestions. I do keep notes about what I do but have not done such extensive tests as you have done.

My FP4, HP5, and Tmax 400 developed at this lab have been turning out fine as I have been exposing them and how they develop.

It's just that I have never used Delta 3200 before, so I need to figure out what's going on re my exposures and their developing for that film.

I may not even use Delta 3200 much in the future. I have a couple more rolls here, so I want to do my best with those. But, unless I really fall in love with the Delta 3200 look, I'd probably be better off just pushing HP5 if I need ISO 800 (for example), because of the extra cost of the Delta 3200 and extra developing cost.

Thanks for typing such a long response! You are so right about the many variables when shooting film.

Delta 3200 is a weird film stock, honestly. I love it because there are no alternatives in 120. I end up shooting it about 1/3 to half of the time. I agree about pushing HP5 to 800 instead of D3200. I just find that nothing compares for night shooting or in harshly lit interiors. It's flexible.

But I choose TMX3200 10 times out of 10 when shooting 35mm.

 

[calico]

Delta 3200 is a weird film stock, honestly. I love it because there are no alternatives in 120. I end up shooting it about 1/3 to half of the time. I agree about pushing HP5 to 800 instead of D3200. I just find that nothing compares for night shooting or in harshly lit interiors. It's flexible.

But I choose TMX3200 10 times out of 10 when shooting 35mm.

As you use Tmax 3200 with 35mm, I am guessing it is less grainy than Delta 3200?

I'm looking forward to scanning the Delta 3200. Maybe I will end up loving it, as you do!

 

[MMfoto]

As you use Tmax 3200 with 35mm, I am guessing it is less grainy than Delta 3200?

I'm looking forward to scanning the Delta 3200. Maybe I will end up loving it, as you do!

Eh, not exactly. The Tmax version just has nicer looking grain, while Delta 3200 is sort of mushy. So if grain is going to show, then I want clean looking grain. I can't say off of the top of my head which is grainier in general, probably the Kodak if I had to guess. I don't think there is a critical diffrence. But Kodak p3200 looks better to my eye when the grain shows up. I think it creates a sharper looking image in general. It's arguably a tiny bit faster too. For big pushes, I would choose p3200 every time. They're both great films.

I mostly shoot portraits with 120 Delta 3200, so it works out. I'm plenty happy with the results. The softer grain works for these images.

 

[calico]

Eh, not exactly. The Tmax version just has nicer looking grain, while Delta 3200 is sort of mushy. So if grain is going to show, then I want clean looking grain. I can't say off of the top of my head which is grainier in general, probably the Kodak if I had to guess. But Kodak p3200 looks better to my eye when the grain shows up. I think it creates a sharper looking image in general.

Interesting, thanks. Maybe I will try the Tmax 3200, too.

It's funny, re grain.....sometimes the grain in HP5 annoys me, then I lurch to Tmax 400 and am relieved. But then another day, the Tmax 400 looks too clinical, and I lurch back to HP5. Depends on my mood, I guess, or maybe the subject of photo.

 

[MMfoto]

Interesting, thanks. Maybe I will try the Tmax 3200, too.

It's funny, re grain.....sometimes the grain in HP5 annoys me, then I lurch to Tmax 400 and am relieved. But then another day, the Tmax 400 looks too clinical, and I lurch back to HP5. Depends on my mood, I guess, or maybe the subject of photo.

Yeah, I definitely get that. I did a huge amount of experimentation when I started out. I could imagine a situation where where any film/developer combination would be suitable, but it's just too crazy making. Some combination looks amazing one day, I hate it the next.

I ended up just shooting Tri-X or TMZ, usually with XTOL f1:1 for 35mm. And then HP5 with Pyrocat HD or Delta 3200 and XTOL for 120. This has worked for me and doesn't require too much fuss.