Delta 3200 developed by lab - question

calico said:

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.

Click to expand...

MMfoto said:

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.

Click to expand...

calico said:

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!

Click to expand...

MMfoto said:

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.

Click to expand...

calico said:

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.

Click to expand...