Pushing to 1600, TRI-X, TMAX 400, DELTA 400 or HP5+ ?

With tri-x you will get a wider latitude at 1600. With tmax you will mostly get blown highlights.
I also like a lot the Tri-X grain in microphen. It is just enough to deliver a higher degree of perceived definition.
 
ulrich.von.lich said:
I don't care about the grain, but I hope to keep the contrast as low as possible to perserve details (at which the Delta 3200 is really good).
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This is the tricky part of your requirement. As you say, you're going to lose shadow detail with any slower film and all give higher contrast at 1600 compared to D3200, which is an incredibly low contrast film. My suggestion for pushing to 1600 is perhaps a little bit different to others; try using Tri-X in undiluted D76. My time is 11 min at 20C with four tank inversions every 30 seconds. D76 is cheap and easily available so why not try it?
 
Alpsman, I don't know anything about Promicrol but I get constantly great results with Delta 3200 in DDX. I'm sure there are finer films, the Neopan 1600 used to be one. But when it comes to contrast, nothing can beat the Delta 3200, IMO.

Lawrence, it's not my intention to find a better film than Delta 3200 - as to my needs, it's the best film at 1600, period - but a cheaper alternative that is not far behind. I would like to try the TMAX 400 and Microphen combo first. May I ask why you recommend me the undiluted D76 instead of the undiluted Microphen? Isn't the latter said to be a better developer for pushing?

Also, I thought it would be better to do less inversions if the goal is to keep the contrast down. If you didn't say anything, for 11 minutes, I would have tried 2 or 3 tank inversions every 2 minutes.
 
ulrich.von.lich said:
Lawrence, it's not my intention to find a better film than Delta 3200 - as to my needs, it's the best film at 1600, period - but a cheaper alternative that is not far behind. I would like to try the TMAX 400 and Microphen combo first. May I ask why you recommend me the undiluted D76 instead of the undiluted Microphen? Isn't the latter said to be a better developer for pushing?
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I guess Microphen is an excellent developer for pushing, however where I live it's a lot more expensive than D76 and may be more difficult to get hold of in other parts of the world. I have a pack that I'm waiting to try with HP5+.

ulrich.von.lich said:
Also, I thought it would be better to do less inversions if the goal is to keep the contrast down. If you didn't say anything, for 11 minutes, I would have tried 2 or 3 tank inversions every 2 minutes.
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Simply saying that this has worked for me :)
 
I've always liked Microphen for pushing HP5+, tho I've never gone above 800 with it. I use Rodinal as well (mostly with 120 HP5+ at 800), and get good results with both. With sheet HP5+ I use HC-110b at all speeds, also up to 800. Microphen is Ilford's recommended push developer.
 
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