Delta 3200 / Microphen

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A time of 7'/75F in straight Microphen yields EI 1600 and a curve shape identical to Delta 3200 in Xtol 1:1 for EI 1600. This is a normal EI for normal-contrast negs, not pushed. For EI 3200, 9/30"/75F, curve shape almost identical to TMZ in Microphen for EI 3200 but a shorter toe, a one-stop push. For reference, 12'/75F in Xtol 1:1 for EI 1250, slightly low contrast, and 15'/75F in Xtol 1:1 for EI 1600 normal negs. I did _not_ see the expected 1/3 to 2/3-stop speed boost that Microphen usually gives, which is odd. So I think Xtol 1:1 might be as good as Microphen for a real push, with the advantages of finer grain and higher sharpness, and with the disadvantage of having to stand around sloshing the tank a lot longer. I use .10 DU above fb@f for EI, with the Zone X density at around 1.80. Test negs are shot of a Wallace Expo-Disc, in-camera meter calibrated to Sunny f16.

-- John Hicks / John's Camera Shop (jbh@magicnet.net), December 14, 1998

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