Can anybody out there in cyberspace advise me on the differences between the current ultra high-speed films? How are they for grain? What are the effective speeds? Any development recommendations?

I work as a photographer and lab technician, and have for more than 20 years, so I am definetly not a beginner. My current favorite film is Ilford HP5+ (35mm), which for me has a limit of about EI 1600 or so. I need a film I can use to photograph my grandkiddies falling asleep in their mother's arms!

-- Terrence Brennan (tbrennan13@hotmail.com), September 22, 1999

Answers

Try Ilford Delta 3200 in Microphen, 7'/75F EI 1600-2000, 9'30"/75F EI 3200.

-- John Hicks / John's Camera Shop (jbh@magicnet.net), September 23, 1999.

I have used both Kodak and Ilford '3200' films, and reckon they are both ISO 800 when developed in T-Max 1+4 24 deg C for 9.5 minutes. I prefer Delta 3200. I don't like pushing either of these films. I find the grain structure of T-Max 3200 unpushed is similar to that of Delta 3200 pushed slightly, i.e. slightly unpleasant. I have always liked the grain of HP5+. Sure, it is coarser than the 3200 films, but it is somehow more pleasing.

You will have to try for yourself, but if you like HP5+ pushed, you may find that nothing is better.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), September 28, 1999.

personally i like the delta 3200.. tho at 3200 it can be ugly! i choose to shoot it at 1600, this seems to be the breakpiont of holding nice skin tones (providing that the light on them is decent.) however it can be a bit contrasty in shadow and highlight areas when printing for skin. i usually matrix meter ( through the lens ) and process it in HC-110 - 1:31 - 68f - 14.5 min. equiptment and the situations i use the delta under wont allow for another stop of exposure, so i end up doing a little D&B and/or split filter printing. but the prints (minus the grain) look beautiful... perhaps pmk would generate a better neg, i have not tried it any higher than 800 with the delta 3200. good luck,

-- Sean (ZBeeblebrox42@yahoo.com), October 01, 1999.