Getting more shadow detail out of Delta 3200

just use Microphen as Ilford recommend and shoot at EI 3200 and you will get all the shadow that is actually there. However, you said in OP that room was almost black so what do expect there to be in the black background. If the contrast range between a black background and the face is high then you will always struggle to get both ends of the range to record on film optimally.

D3200 is a low contrast film designed to be used with speed increasing developer such as Microphen which renders normal contrast. Using Stock Microphen at Ilfords recommended time with EI 3200 will give you a normal contrast neg covering an 8 stop range from black to white. But it will look differeent when printed compared to PMK

Ok, so the hair didn't get enough exposure.

So, how did you meter?

Incident, spot?

If spot, was the hair metered? Placed on a zone?

cliveh said:

Try exposing the film for a little longer.

Click to expand...

If Delta 3200 exposed at ISO 200 (!) cries for yet more exposure, something else is off. If Delta 3200 developed to N-2 is fit for grade 2 enlargement of such subject matter, something is off. My conclusion is that PMK for whatever reason is not the right choice for this type of project.