Thanks everyone for your input. This is the first time I've asked a question here. I'm impressed with the depth and quality of responses.(posted 8152 days ago)It's interesting to note that thus far Ilford Delta 400, HP-5+, FP4+ and PanF have all received strong endorsements. Not so for Kodak or Agfa films, which are the films I've worked with the most to date. I have used FP4+ in xtol 1:3 and the results are very nice to my eye -- I just like APX 100 a bit better.
Also, in many cases the T-grain films are recommended over traditional films. I've experimented with TMY and TMX, but not Delta 400. I find TMY and TMX very sharp and fine grain for their speed, but I've yet to get "a look" that I'm really pleased with. The TMY gives me what I might call a plastic look -- very sharp and fine grain, but not the 3-D luminosity that I've seen with some other films (such as Tri-X). I don't see this as much with TMAX -- which probably (if I got my technique perfect) could be exceptional.
No one here seems to like Tri-X! Despite its grain, I've seen nice results from Tri-X. Salgado's work is one well-known example.
Based on input to this question I'll have to try Delta 400 and HP5+ (which I've always thought was a *lot* like Tri-X).
Also, can anyone point me to sources where I could look at some fine work done with Delta 400, HP5+ and TMY?
Thanks, Kevin.