Delta 3200 - speed rating advice

[auntiemaryscanary]

It's my dtr's 12th birthday this weekend and because of covid it's limited what we can do so most of the celebrations will be inside in v subdued natural light or domestic lighting.

This seems like a good time to try my 1st roll of 120 Delta 3200. Reading up on the film I'm not sure what speed will be most useful to shot it at - it seems to have so many options available. I've taken some test light readings at both 1600 and 3200 and both give me useable options. I've only ever shot film at box speed and certainly nothing with such a high ISO. Can anyone give some advice on selecting a film speed for this Delta 3200?

As I've not mastered getting 120 film onto a dev reel without causing damage so I'll send it off to Harman Lab for dev and prints. Thanks

 

[FishyFish]

I've shot it at 3200 in 135 format and it was pretty grainy. That will be lessened somewhat with medium format. However, I have a number of other rolls of Delta 3200 and my plan is to shoot those at 1600 and then develop at box speed, which seems to be a general concensus from what I've read.

Alternatively, HP5+ works really nicely when pushed to 1600.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

I've shot it at 3200 in 135 format and it was pretty grainy. That will be lessened somewhat with medium format. However, I have a number of other rolls of Delta 3200 and my plan is to shoot those at 1600 and then develop at box speed, which seems to be a general concensus from what I've read.

Alternatively, HP5+ works really nicely when pushed to 1600.

I have shot both, 35mm and 120.

I have shot it at EI 1000 with great results so if that gives you a useable shutter, I would start there but wouldn't be scared to go to 1600 at all from what I have read/heard.

The grain in 35mm is large but beautiful (IMO) and in 120, less large, but still beautiful. I love film grain, though. Let's see what I can find....

BTW, uploading direct to here always seems to make my images not as sharp with compression so don't just too much...

120 Delta 3200 Shot at EI 1000




120 Delta 3200 shot at EI 1600 - Yes, there's blur, yes it was intentional and no, I don't care.


35mm Delta 3200 +1 stop on developing so shot at EI 3200

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

I've shot it at 3200 in 135 format and it was pretty grainy. That will be lessened somewhat with medium format. However, I have a number of other rolls of Delta 3200 and my plan is to shoot those at 1600 and then develop at box speed, which seems to be a general concensus from what I've read.

Alternatively, HP5+ works really nicely when pushed to 1600.

Thanks FishyFish. I'd thought 1600 seemed a reasonable compromise so will probably go with that alongside light meter readings on the day.

I've also got some HP5 too so I might try that as well if I get through the Delta 3200

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

I have shot both, 35mm and 120.

I have shot it at EI 1000 with great results so if that gives you a useable shutter, I would start there but wouldn't be scared to go to 1600 at all from what I have read/heard.

The grain in 35mm is large but beautiful (IMO) and in 120, less large, but still beautiful. I love film grain, though. Let's see what I can find....

BTW, uploading direct to here always seems to make my images not as sharp with compression so don't just too much...

120 Delta 3200 Shot at EI 1000
View attachment 295004



120 Delta 3200 shot at EI 1600 - Yes, there's blur, yes it was intentional and no, I don't care.
View attachment 295007View attachment 295008

35mm Delta 3200 +1 stop on developing so shot at EI 3200
View attachment 295006

Thanks gazmorton. I might not be able to produce anything as good but at least I know the film will be up to it - even if I'm not

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

Harman Lab have got back to me to confirm they'll develop at box speed as standard so all looking good.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Thanks gazmorton. I might not be able to produce anything as good but at least I know the film will be up to it - even if I'm not

Very kind but I am sure you can do just as well/better.