Delta 3200 development

digiconvert · Apr 15, 2007

I know this has been asked in various ways before but there are so MANY answers on the board that it is difficult to get an answer that I can use !
I have a roll of 12 DSelta 3200 which I have bought to try the film out for available light shots.
I have used it in 35mm when I had even less idea than I do now about developing and it was a disater (developed in Ilfosol as 3200 ISO).
Is it best to 'pull' this film to 1600 or so and if so any recommendations as to processing ?
I like using R09 (which is a clone of original Rodinol) but there is no info on digital truth.
One previous answer on the board suggested shooting at 2000 and developing as 1600 - anyone else tried this ?

Cheers - CJB

Mackinaw · Apr 15, 2007

I just processed my first roll of Delta 3200 (120 format). I exposed it at an EI of 1600 and developed it straight, undiluted Xtol for 7 minutes at 67 degrees. the negs are a little flat but definitely printable and they should scan well too. Next tme I'll probably extend the devlopment time another 15%.

Jim Bielecki

CGross · Apr 15, 2007

I asked a similar question a few weeks back. I was using this film for the first time and had shot 2 rolls at ISO 2000 but couldn't find dev times for Xtol. The recommendations I received were to dev for 1 stop faster then the exposed speed.
So, I developed for 3200 in xtol but added 30 seconds because the film I was using was slightly expired. The negs turned out really well.

Here's the link to the post: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
There's a scan of one of the shots that I posted.
I can't say which is best, to answer your question about pulling the film to 1600, but I was very pleased with it at 2000.

Neal · Apr 15, 2007

Dear CJB,

With most films you will have to use more than a roll or two to get the hang of them. We all develop and expose a little (or a lot) differently even though we describe what we do in the same way. Whenever I try a film that is new to me I bracket like crazy around the box speed and develop to the manufacturer recommended time. For most products it is fairly easy to determine what I need to do next, but Delta 3200 (as well as TMZ) is a different animal. I feel it is sort of a high speed "shmoo" (from Lil' Abner I think) product. It pushes very well and will give you photos where conventional products will not. To use it well in many situations will take some time and effort. Good fun and you will usually get at least at least one good one even when disaster strikes.

Neal Wydra

FrankB · Apr 15, 2007

I usually find Ilford's datasheets to be a good starting point for film development, but Delta 3200 (in my fumbling hands, anyway) behaves differently to the rest.

Processing at the recommended time for the speed I shot at gives extremely thin negs. I find that the negs are greatly improved if I process it for the next speed up (e.g. if I shoot at 1600 ISO I use the recommended development time for 3200 ISO, shoot at 3200 ISO develop as for 6400 ISO, etc.).

I have seen posts to the effect that the actual film speed is closer to 1000 ISO than 3200, but haven't performed any film tests myself to substantiate this.

If it were me, I'd probably shoot at 1600 ISO and process in something fine-grained and fast (DDX, Aculux, etc) using the recommended time for 3200 ISO. Then again, if you like huge amounts of grain, try pushing it to 20,000 ISO and break out the Rodinal!

Please let us know what you decide to do and how it works out.

All the best,

Frank

titrisol · Apr 15, 2007

DDX or Xtol make a great developer for this.
Always test before you shoot somethign important

digiconvert · Apr 15, 2007

snowymtphotos said:
Here's the link to the post: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
There's a scan of one of the shots that I posted.

Yours was one of the posts I read, in fact your scan was one of my reasons for taking the decision to try the film. I'll let you know what I do and how it goes.

Cheers ; Chris

mcgrattan · Apr 15, 2007

I use DD-X, it works really well for this film. I also use the 6400 times if I am shooting at 3200, and the 3200 times if shooting at 1600.

CGross · Apr 15, 2007

digiconvert said:
Yours was one of the posts I read, in fact your scan was one of my reasons for taking the decision to try the film. I'll let you know what I do and how it goes.

Cheers ; Chris

Thank you Chris. I have since shot a few more rolls, except this time, they were some landscape shots in the low light of evening. I am really enjoying this film. Looking forward to hearing your progress.

Take Care,
Cody

JohnArs · Apr 15, 2007

No question only XTOL for me!
Armin

philldresser · Apr 15, 2007

I have shot some rolls of 3200 recently and dev'ed them in Rodinal with very acceptable results.

Phill

aldevo · Apr 15, 2007

I don't use much Delta 3200 any more but I have a couple suggestions:

- As some have already indicated, Ilford's development times are a bit too conservative and I found that increasing the Ilford times by 20% worked at EI 1600 and above.

- It is essential to process Delta 3200 as soon as possible after it is exposed.

- Ideally, you should purchase this film from a retailer with the werewithal to store it properly prior to its sale. This is becoming less of a concern now that this film is only carried by "serious" photographic supply stores.

Delta 3200 development

CGross

CGross

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