While I always use a tripod for slow films with medium format (P67), I have been using Delta 3200 for handheld to keep shutter speeds to at least 250th. I don't really need 3200ASA most of the time. Does anyone have comparative experience of using the newer Delta 400 at 800 ASA, compared to pulling Delta 3200, in terms of grain, sharpness and tonal qualities?

-- Nigel Craig (Nigel_Craig@btinternet.com), August 07, 2001

Answers

Delta 400 has outstanding latitude and pushes very nicely to 800; you will hardly know it's pushed. I think you will find it far superior to Delta 3200 pulled.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), August 07, 2001.

I have often pushed the new Delta 400 to 800, and even 1600. I've always found it better than pulling 3200.

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), August 09, 2001.

I agree with Ted and Ed. I've been using the new Delta 400 at 800 and 1600 and have been amazed by the results (developed in XTOL 1:1 using times indicated on the film box). I've stopped using Delta 3200 completely!

-- Ed Berger (eberger@attglobal.net), August 09, 2001.

Pushing new Delta 400 works well in Ilfotec DD-X as well.

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), August 10, 2001.

Ted, Ed, Ed, -- gentlemen, could you please be a bit more specific? Last year I mainly pulled Delta 3200 to 800-1200 (also in XTOL 1+1); it was (and is) my favorite film and I'm very glad with results. And now you say the Delta 400 pushed to 800-1600 is FAR better... What is the contrast of the pushed D400 (If anybody did tests)? Has anybody examples of photos in the net?

Thanks! Andrey

-- Andrey Vorobyov (AndreyVorobyov@mail.ru), August 15, 2001.

I'd like to see some H&D curve comparisons. Like Andrey, I've had excellent results processing D3200 at 800 (in PMK and Pyrocat-HD). On the face of it, one would think that D3200 exposed at or near its true exposure index would give much better shadow detail than D400 pushed to 800. This would make a great article for my website, if anyone is interested.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), August 16, 2001.