Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Simon Stevens asked about Delta 400 (as opposed to 400 Delta) in XTOL. So far I have used D400 with DD-X 1+4 (EI 500 to 1600), Resofine (EI 400), DiXactol single bath (EI 400) and XTOL 1+1 and 1+3 (EI 800). Perceptol 1+3 will be next at EI 320. My XTOL times were 11.5 mins at 1+1 agitated every minute and 19 mins at 1+3 agitated every 3 minutes. I used 175 ml of stock per film for the 1+3 tests and left enough room in the tank for the dev to drain completely off the reels when inverted. All the snaps were of people in 'normal' room lighting. I metered for the skin tones and let the shadows fall where they may. The results with both XTOL dilutions were remarkably fine grained. The 1+3 had noticeably better control of the highlights (eg shine on bald pates). Highlight separation seems to be the hurdle with D400. Shadow detail and separation is good. Next I will try XTOL 1+5 applied directly to the bald heads. At EI 1600 I prefer D400 to D3200 for both grain and speed (both in DD-X 1+4). Based on the results of my tests I will be swapping to D400 from HP5+ when I need 800 to 1600. The jury is still out on whether D400 will also replace my favourite APX400 in DiXactol at 320. BTW Ilford have finally managed to get a pdf for D400 on their website. The 400D one is still there. I had a wine-assisted chat with an Ilford guy last night at a small trade fair. Not much to report here though. I asked why Perceptol (a single malt, sorry, a metol only developer) was only available in litre packs. 'Its a designer brew now. We only make one batch a year.' Next we discussed the differences between Microphen and DD-X with D3200 - the two developers that Ilford themselves recommend for D3200. Then we tried scanning cream cheese and olive sandwiches in the new Polaroid 120. But can it do Marmite on toast? Has anyone tried this? Regards, Malcolm