Ilford Delta 400
Ilford Delta 400 is a black and white photographic film known for its versatility and fine grain structure. Here are some detailed points about this film:
Characteristics
- Film Speed: ISO 400, making it suitable for a wide range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright daylight.
- Grain: The film has a very fine grain for its speed, which is achieved through the use of Ilford's core-shell crystal technology.
- Contrast: Offers a high contrast which can be adjusted through development techniques.
- Push/Pull Processing: Capable of being pushed or pulled up to three stops, allowing photographers to adapt to different shooting conditions.
- Format Availability: Available in 35mm, 120 roll film, and sheet film formats.
History and Development
Ilford, a company with a long history in photographic materials, introduced the Delta 400 as part of their Delta line, which was designed to offer photographers a new level of control over the film's response to light. The Delta films were developed to provide enhanced tonal range and improved sharpness:
- The Delta line was first introduced in the 1990s, with Delta 400 being one of the core offerings.
- It was developed to meet the needs of photographers looking for high-speed film with fine grain characteristics.
- The film's technology was aimed at reducing grain while maintaining sensitivity, which was a significant improvement over previous films.
Usage
Delta 400 is widely used for:
- Street Photography - Due to its versatility in different lighting conditions.
- Portrait Photography - For its fine grain and high contrast.
- Documentary Photography - Because of its ability to be pushed when needed.
- Landscape Photography - When a faster film speed is required without sacrificing too much detail.
Development
The film can be developed in standard black and white developers like Ilford ID-11, Kodak D-76, or even more specialized developers like Ilford DD-X:
- Standard Development: Typically developed at box speed with times recommended by Ilford or the developer's data sheet.
- Push Processing: Can be pushed to ISO 1600 or beyond, with adjustments to development time and temperature.
- Pull Processing: Can be pulled down to ISO 100 or lower for increased contrast and grain control.
External Resources
Similar Topics