I have just used my first rolls of the new Ilford Delta 400 Pro, some rated at 400 and some at 800. All processed with Ilfotech HC at 1+31. I have not done any controlled tests, but my initial reaction is that the film is a real improvement - surpassing all other b&w films I have used in this film range. Good tonal range, very sharp and fine-grained. It seems to push better - not becoming too contrasty as a result. Indications are that it is a true 400 film - I suspect the old Delta 400 may not have been.

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), February 03, 2001

Answers

Sorry to respond by going off at a slight tangent but I use delta 100 and 3200 but have got into the habit of using XP2 super for 400ASA which sems v.fine grained for 400 and seems to have a good tonal range, and of course can be used at 200-800 asa (and scans very well) Are there any advantages of using Delta 400 or other conventional 400 asa films?

-- Nigel Craig (Nigel_Craig@btinternet.com), February 04, 2001.

The biggest advantage of using silver based B&W film over the C41 dye films is that if processed properly you should still have them in 100+ years. While future generations will still have these negatives to print from (just as we can still print from the old glass plates from the 1800's) they won't have the C41 negatives... which are fading off the backing as we discuss this.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), February 04, 2001.

Another benefit is that "true" black & white seems to make it possible to obtain a better (more subtle) range of tones. I am no great darkroom craftsman myself, but speaking to friends who are better than I, they almost all say that they would rather print from a true b&w neg. There can also be times when it is hard to get a "punchy" print from chromagenic negs. Although I have used XP2 Super with good results, I am also of the opinion that the new Delta 400 Pro has left it behind in terms of sharpness, grain and structure. C41 can still have the benefit of convenience in some situations of course. One of the advantages XP has always been its ability to be exposed at higher speeds whilst retaining quality, but the new Delta seems to have enhanced pushing capabilities. Unlike XP2, of course, you cannot easily expose different frames at different speeds on the same film!

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.