Ilford Delta 3200

Original (datasheet + scan validated). See the notes, the B&W README, and the Knowledge base.

The film

Ilford Delta 3200 Professional, the brand's flagship high-speed push stock. The datasheet (archived: _reference-sources/datasheets/ilford/delta-3200.pdf) reveals a fact most people don't know: its true ISO speed is 1000, not 3200. It's designed to be metered and shot at EI 3200 with extended development (usable range EI 400-25000, "particularly recommended" 1600-6400). This is a push-process film by design, not a fast film that happens to push well.

Real-scan confirmation (1 image, analysis-only)

An overcast street scene (a man at a bus stop, UK high street): prominent, obvious grain visible even in the flat overcast sky. Heavier and more textured than either Tri-X or HP5 in our other real scans. Moderate contrast with the day's flat light. Shadow detail well retained in the man's coat and the shop doorways despite the grain load. Consistent with a push-developed high-speed emulsion: grain-forward but not contrast-starved.

The grade in one line

The grainiest B&W in the bank, a "shoot it in the dark" push-speed stock with a smoother, more organic pushed tonality than Kodak's equivalent.

Delta 3200 vs Kodak T-Max P3200: a deliberate distinction

Both are true-ISO-~1000 stocks designed for EI 3200 push development. Direct competitors. Community/reviewer consensus (well-documented) describes Delta 3200 as slightly smoother and more "creamy" in midtone rendering, where T-Max P3200 reads snappier and more clinical. This recipe reflects that: … / Shadow … / … / Clarity … (Delta) vs Highlight … / Shadow … / Sharpness … / Clarity … (T-Max P3200, reference). Delta pulled back a notch on contrast and sharpness while keeping the same grain intensity and a similar light touch of Clarity.

How the settings embody it

Acros carries real tonal gradation under the heavy grain overlay. Grain …/… is the headline trait. Heavier than every other B&W original here. … holds the wide contrast range push development produces. Shadow … gives the deep, rich blacks extended development is known for, confirmed in the real scan. Clarity … (not 0) is a deliberate … deviation, some push-processed micro-contrast bite belongs in this look, though less than Tri-X's +3.

vs the rest of the B&W family

Validation status

Datasheet-validated (true-speed/EI table, archived PDF) + 1 real scan (overcast street). Characteristic pass strong. More scans across low-light/night conditions (the film's actual working environment) would strengthen this further. Drop into references/.