what can I expect from FP4, Neopan, Delta

The initial testing you are doing is a good start. In addition to the advice, one film, one developer, I highly recommend that for your initial work you leave scanning out of the evaluation. There are too many variables in the scanning regardless who does that scanning. I have found that even commercial or lab scanning can be inconsistent.

So start with the initial prints, pick you path, and then add scanning back in if it is necessary.

For myself, even if I got a good scan, I was disappointed in the ink jet prints versus the chemically based prints. The blacks were not truly black. I started developing my film first, not planning to set up a darkroom but sending the film I developed for commercial printing. In a short time I picked up an enlarger and a print dryer.

Your path may be different. There is no one correct way; they are all good, but with varying results.

Steve

I agree with Thomas on that one.

All major films record information really really well. That's all they really do. It ain't gonna matter much wether you record it on Vivid Contrast or Agfa Scala really. The information is still there, just in different mediums.

I believe it's more important what you do with that information that counts.

WolfTales said:

All major films record information really really well.

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I agree about the recording, but again... if somebody is developing specifically to scan their negs, then there are very clear and important differences, when you consider chromogenics and pyro-developed negs, in terms of what information you actually get out and how it will look in terms of detail per grain. This is something we don't discuss here because it has to do with actual scanning technique and it departs too far from the analogue trail for most APUGers.

Thomas Bertilsson said:

Jim,

I understand. But I highly doubt you can actually learn anything by testing one roll of each. I am of the opinion that it takes dozens of rolls with one film before you start to learn the inns and outs in all kinds of lighting situations.
But since you have the film you might as well use it. I'm glad that you will settle for one film after your test. Between the three, I maintain that you will get excellent results with either, so it doesn't really matter which you choose.

And, you don't need a darkroom just to process film. You need a changing bag, a tank, some reels, beakers, storage containers, a thermometer, a timer, and a sink (I process film in the laundry room).

- Thomas

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I think you can learn some about films from a single roll. If I use a roll of a film, and I like the result, then it's worth investing more time and money into really learning it. If I test a roll, and I don't like the grain structure or the tonality, then I can move on to another film without having invested a lot of time and money into learning a film, I don't really like.

In fact I am part way into the process of testing out some cubic grain films in my own process.