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/.