Re: [Leica] Delta 400 and Tri-x

[Pablo Kolodny <pkolodny@fibertel.com.ar>]

on 4/6/01 4:01 PM, Malcolm McCullough at MM4@mm-croy.mottmac.com wrote:

> Roland Tan enquired:
> <<...
> Recently
> I was given two rolls of Delta 400. Can anyone help me with any information
> before I try this film out? Other than processing information, how about
> general characteristics etc.
>>> 
> 
> Hi Roland,
> 
> So far I have used D400 with DD-X 1+4 (EI 500 to 1600), Resofine 2B (EI
> 400), DiXactol single bath (EI 400) and XTOL 1+1 and 1+3 (EI 800).
> 
> My impressions are that Delta 400 (not 400 Delta) has fine grain and high
> toe speed (ie good shadow detail) but that highlight separation is the
> problem with some developers. Maybe this is because of the two sensitive
> layers in the emulsion behaving differently in different developers. Maybe.
> The Resofine (a D23 two bath type with borax as the second bath) results
> were very fine grained, but the curve seemed to rocket up from the shadows
> into a big highlight shoulder - ie fantastic mid-tone contrast, but odd
> highlight rendition. I'll try less exposure and hope the shadows stay there
> next time I mix some Resofine. The DiXactol results were awfully sharp in
> areas with plenty of detail but the grain was mealy and unpleasant in
> even-toned areas. More experimentation required methinks.
> 
> So far I have been happiest with the DD-X  and XTOL results (no surprises
> there). DD-X seems to be like Microphen, but smoother - ie not like
> Microphen at all.
> 
> On the whole I like D400 as a smooth, fine-ish grained film in the EI 800 to
> 1600 range.
> 
> Though my foot has been nailed to the floor in the UK for the moment I hope
> to be back out to Sing in the not-too-distant future.
> 
> Best Wishes,
> Malcolm
> 
> 
> 

I like my Delta 400 film developed in Ilfotec HC1+31...but, to be sincere I
miss the HP5 Plus, although a  little more grainy it seems to me that has a
better general contrast than Delta...
It's amazing how out there in the First World countries are available so
much choices for different developers at the time of processing a simple
roll of film. In Buenos Aires, where I live, we don't have further choices
besides the ones given by Ilford with Microdol, Perceptol, Ilfotec, and
maybe one or two more, Kodak's T-Max, and Agfa Rodinal and maybe one more.

The results that here, in Argentina, could be reached are, so, about testing
different films with not too much different developers.
One or two years ago arrived Tetenal ( I've never used it but would like)
and X-tol...
Sometime ago I heard from this list some threads about this X-tol but,
sincerely, I did not pay attention since is not so easy to find. In
Argentina, of course.
By now I would like to hear some short comments of you users, about what is
this X-tol intended for.
And the Tetenal ?

Thank you  in advance.

Pablo