Confused: Delta 400 processing time, 10.5 or 14 mins??

[Waterman100]

I am about to process Ilford Delta 400 Pro for the first time, and I am confused about its processing time at 68F with D76[1+1].

According to Ilford Delta's spec (http://o-photo.narod.ru/Files/KODAK/KODAK_400_Delta_BW.pdf) processing time is 10.5min with D76[1+1], but Freestyle's instruction (http://www.freestylephoto.biz/film_development_chart.php) says 14 minutes. Which one is correct?

Also, for this film is it OK to agitate continuously for the first minute, then 5 sec for every minute thereafter (ie the Fujifilm method)?

Many thanks for the help.

 

[Chris101]

The Russian site seems to have different times than Freestyle, Digital Truth's Massive Dev Chart and Ilford's own processing time sheet. Since the Russian site calls it Kodak Delta 400, I suspect that they are incorrect.

But as with any B&W development, determine the correct time for your own process by using any literature value as a starting point and modify it to suit your needs.

 

[Waterman100]

But as with any B&W development, determine the correct time for your own process by using any literature value as a starting point and modify it to suit your needs.

That's fine, but what time should I use as starting point for this roll of film?

Can any experienced Delta users give some guidance?

 

[daveywaugh]

I have only ever done 4 rolls of delta 400 but I used the digital truth timing as a guide... Actually I did it 13 minutes according to my notes. Agitation was as you described in your post. If you do 13 minutes with that agitation I don't think you'll go too wrong. My agitation is more inversion so pretty light.

I think at the time I was thinking... "geez 14 miniutes is long..." so I can understand your anxiety.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Delta 400 in D-76 @20C as a stock solution is 9.5 minutes. The longer time is for 1+1 dilution.
At 24C the times drop to 8.0 and 11.5 mins respectively. The Russian site is wrong.
Ilford recommend steady agitation for the first minute and then four inversions in 10 secs every minute remaining.

 

[robert blu]

I recently used: Ilfotec DDX 1+4, 5'30" T=24 °C.
Good result to scan.
robert

 

[ooze]

Ilford say: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/20114271219521241.pdf

For ID-11 (1+1) it says 14 minutes, so that's what I would use as a starting point for Delta400 and D76 1+1.

When using Delta400 may I suggest not to overexpose too much since graininess increases very rapidly...at least that has been my personal experience.

 

[Chris101]

That's fine, but what time should I use as starting point for this roll of film?

Can any experienced Delta users give some guidance?

I've developed Ilford Delta 400 in Kodak D-76 1+1 several times. I don't have my notes in front of me, but I will check when I get home (probably around midnight MST) and let you know what numbers I used and how the contrast on the negatives looks.

Every reference says 14 minutes though. The reference you had for 10.5 was not[/i] an official Ilford document, but one which was doctored up to appear as if it was. Go the the Ilford website, and download their Delta 400 data sheet - it has D-76 1+1 time listed as 14 minutes.

I don't understand why so much disinformation is found on .ru websites. Maybe some left-over cold war thing.

 

[Waterman100]

I've developed Ilford Delta 400 in Kodak D-76 1+1 several times. I don't have my notes in front of me, but I will check when I get home (probably around midnight MST) and let you know what numbers I used and how the contrast on the negatives looks.

That will be great. Thanks very much.