Dev for expired Delta 3200

Grim Tuesday · Nov 14, 2019

I just picked up a big lot of expired Delta 3200 (not that old - 2017 dated). I've heard that Delta 3200 ages very quickly. What's the best dev to get the most speed with the least fog?

pentaxuser · Nov 14, 2019

If it was stored reasonably then its expiry date was not really that long ago. A good developer for D3200 is Microphen in terms of speed.

pentaxuser

Tom Kershaw · Nov 14, 2019

I used a roll of Delta 3200 (2016 dated) that I had left over recently at 1600 EI and the shadow detail wasn't really there. Suspect 800 would be fine.

koraks · Nov 14, 2019

I'd probably dip it into xtol or an analogue. This film foes go off fast. Like Tom indicates above, I'd stick to 800 max. if possible.

GLS · Nov 14, 2019

DD-X is an ideal developer for Delta films.

Grim Tuesday · Nov 14, 2019

Tom Kershaw said:
I used a roll of Delta 3200 (2016 dated) that I had left over recently at 1600 EI and the shadow detail wasn't really there. Suspect 800 would be fine.

Is that compared to unexpired or to other films? I rarely find much shadow detail in Delta 3200 anyways. Even at 1600.

GLS · Nov 14, 2019

The true speed of Delta 3200 is closer to 1000, depending on developer used.

Agulliver · Nov 14, 2019

I've shot D3200 five years out of date without problems at box speed.

WHile it is true that the "true" speed of the film is ISO1000, the curve is designed for it to give best contrast at 1600-6400. I've even pushed it to 12,800 though it gets seriously grainy in 135 at that speed.

2017 really isn't outdated. I'd be confident of shooting at 3200 but you can always shoot at 1600 or 1000 if you don't need the extra speed. When using D3200 I am usually shooting in a dim jazz club or in the past in night clubs. I use ID-11 or Microphen.

Dev for expired Delta 3200

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