Response to DDX or Xtol with Delta 3200

Here goes....

Delta 3200 in:

Microphen 7'/75F EI 2000 Microphen 9'30"/75F EI 3200 Microphen 13'/75F EI 6400 Microphen 18"15"/75F EI 12800

Xtol 1:1 12'/75F EI 1250 Xtol 1:1 15'/75F EI 2000 Xtol 1:2 17'/75F EI 2000 Xtol 1:2 20'/75F EI 3200

DD-X 1:4 11'/75F EI 2000

The "sweet spot" is EI 1600-2000, showing the best combination of "real" speed, grain and acutance without excessive contrast.

As for really high speeds, one thing I used to do for TMZ in Microphen was add about 50g/L sodium sulfite. That reduced the graininess a bit but didn't make mush. I've tried it with Delta 3200 in DD-X only so far, and it did make a difference. It's no magic bullet, but it may help in the quest for really high speeds and reasonable quality.

Also, since Delta 3200 is available in 120 there's a tremendous advantage to shooting it in medium format, especially 6x7. I bought a used Graflex XL w/f2.8 Planar specifically for that; there's actually a big difference in quality between printing 6x7 and printing a cropped rectangle out of 6x6.

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