yet another diafine question...

BimmerJake · Aug 30, 2009

Has anyone ever tried delta 3200 in diafine? when grain is not an issue, or even desired, will this work?

I'm thinking about throwing the 3200 in the isolette i just ordered to shoot at my sister in laws wedding (as a fun addition to the "real" pictured i'm taking with the nikon). so, indoors, high speed film, compensating developer, lots of grain = fun, unusual results? maybe? :confused::confused:

in the end i think it's a 'why not' kinda thing, just curious if anyone's tried this

thanks

jim appleyard · Aug 30, 2009

I've done this, but the grain was not too pronounced, mostly normal looking for this film. I got an EI of 1600 in Diafine

cmo · Aug 30, 2009

You get 1600 in Diafine even with Tri-x as long as the contrast is not too high. If you want to go beyond 1600 try Tmax or Delta 3200 in XTol.

Harry Lime · Aug 30, 2009

I shoot Delta3200 @ 1600 and develop in Diafine. Grain looks good and the 2-bath action gives a nice smooth roll in the highlights. Shadows also look good.

BimmerJake · Aug 30, 2009

what development times do you use? i can't find clear info for the delta 3200.

BetterSense · Aug 30, 2009

I never tried Delta 3200 in Diafine. I can tell you that Tri-x at 800-1600 depending on light is amazing. It's my favorite thing to shoot in my isolette II. Actually it's one of my favorite things to shoot anyway. A bonus is that at 800, f/32 at 200 is just right for sunlight and you really don't have to worry about focusing. Not particularly grainy if that's what you are going for. Neopan 400 works good in Diafine too but doesn't quite go as fast, more like 800-1000.

jim appleyard · Aug 30, 2009

BimmerJake said:
what development times do you use? i can't find clear info for the delta 3200.

MOST films require 3 min. in the "A" bath and 3 min. in "B".

BimmerJake · Aug 30, 2009

i guess that'll be a starting point, then the fun begins

Anon Ymous · Aug 30, 2009

BimmerJake said:
i guess that'll be a starting point, then the fun begins

Jake, it's off topic, but I think it would be good to read (there was a url link here which no longer exists). It seems that you've more or less started now and adding too many film/developer combinations can only be a hassle. I'd say pick a developer (Xtol is fine) and 2 films. FP4+ and TMY2* are ok. Use these two until you feel confident. Then you can do whatever you please.

Have fun and good luck!

* Maybe TriX is a bit better (more forgiving).

fschifano · Aug 30, 2009

jim appleyard said:
MOST films require 3 min. in the "A" bath and 3 min. in "B".

Yes, that's what the directions say. However, the timing is NOT critical as long as you observe the three minutes as a minimum. I've used 4+4 minutes and 5+5 minutes and there's no discernible difference. Bath A needs to completely saturate the emulsion. Very little, if any, development occurs at this stage. Bath B is the activator or accelerator. After 3 minutes, all of Bath A that has been absorbed by the emulsion is exhausted and no further development can occur.

BimmerJake · Aug 30, 2009

anon,

i've actually read that. i've been using a lot of fp4 in dd-x, i got some tmy2 and xtol for a specific purpose. but either way, you're probably right. as far as the 3200, it's meant to be the higher speed for 120, i've also ordered fp4 in 120 to stick with the same film as i've been practicing in in 35mm. but either way, you're probably right in your assessment that i'm doing too much experimentation. as far as the tmy2, i'm not thrilled with it (not just what i've developed, but what the lab has developed for me in the past) and plan on cutting it from the mix and staying in the ilford family, where i've gotten more comfortable.

but now, i think i like the fp4 in xtol, i'll drop some at the lab tomorrow to see how they print, and i'll try out the diafine and leave it at that. so in the end i might end up with two main films, fp4 and delta 3200 and make a pledge to stop jumping around, which is good advice.

what are you tracking all my posts, anon?

Anon Ymous · Aug 30, 2009

BimmerJake said:
what are you tracking all my posts, anon?

Nah, I just remembered that you're new to this forum and that you asked about development gear recently. That would make you a beginner.

BimmerJake · Aug 30, 2009

very true, but i'm picking it up quickly. i took a class about 10 years ago, so some of it's coming back.

abstraxion · Aug 31, 2009

Speaking of Diafine...

I've been anxious to try it, but I'm really worried about getting the uneven development people report with it. I've heard that many people do a prewash despite the manufacturers instructions and this seems to get rid of that streaky uneven development/bromide drag problem. Does anyone have experience with that?

Georges-le-gard · Aug 31, 2009

BimmerJake said:
Has anyone ever tried delta 3200 in diafine? when grain is not an issue, or even desired, will this work?

I tried the Delta 3200 pushed to 6400 in Rollei RLS. I did some tests with different temperatures.
Rollei RLS 1+4, 25 min. with 40 °C.

I had identically shots that I did in Microdol and Microphen to compare with. But both didn't give me such a fine grain like the RLS.

P C Headland · Sep 2, 2009

abstraxion said:
Speaking of Diafine...

I've been anxious to try it, but I'm really worried about getting the uneven development people report with it. I've heard that many people do a prewash despite the manufacturers instructions and this seems to get rid of that streaky uneven development/bromide drag problem. Does anyone have experience with that?

I just followed the instructions on the box, and had no problems at all.

yet another diafine question...

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