pushing delta 3200 to 6400

[aizan]

This is my first try with high speed films, and it's very promising. I didn't really get anywhere with Tri-X in Rodinal. 🙁

I developed my first roll in D76 1:1 for 15min at 20C, 10 sec agitation every minute. Exposure was 1/60 at f1.4. Sometimes I get lucky and 1/60 is enough, but I would like to reduce motion blur a bit with a shutter speed of 1/125.

Any tips on pushing Delta 3200 to 6400? I'd like to refine my use of D76, but I've got HC-110, Rodinal, and Diafine. Would any of these somehow be significantly better? I'm open to getting a new developer, too.

PS

Next week, I'm going to try a roll of T-Max P3200 using the times on the Massive Devchart.

 

[Marc Jutras]

My Delta 3200 is often shot at 6400 and processed by my local lab in X-Tol following Ilford's guidelines. The results are really nice. I once had it processed at 12500 and it was a bit too contrasty but still OK.

 

[aizan]

they didn't do the "process for one stop faster" thing, did they?

 

[Marc Jutras]

The first time I shot at 6400, we tried to process at 12500. It looked nice but the shots were really contrasty. Some were nice but as soon as contrast went up, it was amplified a bit too much. Shot at 6400 and processed at 6400 in X-Tol has given good results so far.

 

[aizan]

thanks, marc. i'll try it like that.

addecuate

say what? the noctilux is out of range, and it's not fast enough to avoid grain, anyway. it's just unavoidable.

 

[Marc Jutras]

Sometimes, you have no choice. I often shoot action on stage in a poorly lit club. If I want 1/30 at f4 (hoping to stop something and get a few inches of DOF), EI 6400 is the bare minimum. I could use EI 25000 an up!

 

[aizan]

oh, got it.

i think digital has less grain than fast film, and it has color, too. not as much dynamic range, but it might be enough, and it has more shadow detail. hmm...

 

[Marc Jutras]

It depends. If I can work with available light (or darkness as some would say), I go for it. Sometimes, like last night, you must use the flash since you'll be shooting in almost complete darkness and/or extemely changing lighting conditions. Last night, I couldn't even see the RF patch in my VF most of the time. The flash was mandatory. My Vivitar 283 did the job perfectly as usual.

 

[aizan]

i could try using a pf200 flashbulb =)

 

[Beniliam]

Thanks Marc.

I dont like the flash, its like the ligth alarm of the cops. All the present in the place see where is the camera :S

 

[Allen Gilman]

I'm coming in late here, but I would second the recommendation to shoot and process Delta 3200 at 3200 in xtol (1:2 or 1:3). D-76 us not really a good developer to use when you're pushing that hard when you've got developers like xtol and microphen out there.

As for digital - really depends on the camera and then you're opening up a whole other can of worms. Digital noise - like the look of it? You could use a noise reduction software at the risk of making the image look like watercolor. You've got barely any latitude to work with and when you're highlights are slightly over - well, kiss 'em goodbye because they're gone. If you know how to control it when you're shooting, though, you can get good results. Personally, I shoot with a Canon 20d sometimes at 1600 for live events and it works for me although I've gotta be careful.

But, if I'm shooting just personal work, I'd go with the Delta 3200. Overexposed highlights? Doesn't matter - the detail's still there and you can bring it back. I like the look of the Delta 3200 grain in xtol anyway. Hope that helps...

 

[Allen Gilman]

Whoops - didn't even answer the main question - I'd hesitate to shoot it at 6400 unless you like the look of the grain and contrast at 6400. It works for some people, not others. I'd do it if I NEEDED it. Looks great in soft day light but pretty dodgy in contrasty night lighting.

 

[aizan]

i think both of the local shops have 1L packets of xtol. if they don't, it's a good reason to get some neat brown glass bottles, heh.

i might be able to get away with 3200. there seems to be enough density in a good portion of the roll to go down a notch.

 

[Allen Gilman]

I think some people have had trouble with the 1l packets of xtol in the past. I'd do some research on it. I buy the 5l packs, mix it up, and store it - and use it. You gotta be careful about shelf life w/ xtol. It doesn't have a long life like rodinal - believe me, I know. I've taken the film out of the soup and, with dropped jaw, stared at those clear, blank strips of film and thought, "wtf??"

 

[Goodyear]

I had it in my head that the 1l packs of Xtol had been discontinued?

 

[Allen Gilman]

Actually, they're sold here in Japan too but I still buy the 5l packets because of what I've read from other users. Just a precaution.

 

[aizan]

being a math whiz, i figured that to make 250ml of xtol diluted 1:2, i would need 100ml of xtol mixed to 6L instead of 83.3ml of xtol mixed to 5L. to dilute 1:3, i need an even 75ml.

 

[Allen Gilman]

LOL. The first time I mixed the 5l packet, I somehow ended up w/ 6.5l. Once you get it right, it's no problem. Let us know how the 6400 ISO Delta comes out. Are you going to stand develop it or just develop it with standard times?

 

[TPPhotog]

I find Delta 3200 is good in Rodinal if it's developed at twice the ISO it's shot at. Just thought I'd chip in just in case anyone wants to use Rodinal with this film 😉

 

[Allen Gilman]

Tony, what time/temp/dilution are you developing it at?