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Ilford Delta 3200 Black and White Film

4.09/5 (23 Reviews)

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  • Film Type35mm
    ColorBlack & White
    Film Speed3200 ASA
    Positive / NegativeNegative
    Exposures36 Exposures/Pictures
    PackagingConsumer
    Units in Package1
    MPNID336

Product Description

Delta 3200 Professional is an ultra-speed black and white film, ideal for fast action and low light photography such as night time, sport, or indoor architectural applications where flash photography is 'forbidden'. This is a genuine high speed film with an ability to record highlight detail that sets it apart from other films. Ilford Delta 3200 Professional has many strengths, most notably its liberating high speed, unobtrusive grain structure and its unsurpassed tonality.


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Reviews 1 - 5 (23 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Daniel Metts a Expert

Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008

Strengths:    The look of the film is pleasent even tough it is grainy. It is very sharp. It has very good tonal graduation. It has good detail in the high lights and shadows also. It scans very well.

This film delelops very well with D-76.

Weaknesses:    It is very grainy but not unplasent to look at.

Bottom Line:   
I have used the film several times over the past 5 years. I like is very much when shooting available light photos in low lit interiors. I have used it to do candid of people.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $9.00

Purchased At:   B&H photo

Similar Products Used:   T-Max 3200, fuji 1600

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by John a Professional

Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007

Strengths:    Outstanding in low/no light situations.

Weaknesses:    I guess the grain is a problem for some people. But those people are using the wrong film.

Bottom Line:   
I think this stuff is great.

Like another reviewer mentioned, you have to use it right away and develop it right away, or else it fogs like crazy, and you lose detail and contrast. I shoot at a variety of speeds from 3200 to 12500, and it comes through every time. Obviously, 12500 is going to be quite grainy, but an image with grain is better than no image at all. This film allows you to get shots you'd NEVER be able to get otherwise, and opens up an entirely new world of nocturnal photography. The ability to stop action under a single 40-watt bulb, or moonlit street scenes without a tripod. And there's a thrill knowing that you're basically on the edge of what modern photo technology can do.

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Duration Product Used:   6-10 years

Price Paid:    $3.00

Purchased At:   Calumet

Similar Products Used:   TMax 3200, pushed HP5+/Tri-X

Type of photography:   Other

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by NickTrop a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: August 18, 2005

Strengths:    Simply the best film imo for MF low light street photography.
Fantastic results in MF.

Weaknesses:    Based on other reviews this MIGHT be fussy with developers other than Ilford DDX?

Must be used right away, and developed right away. Purchase from a company that moves a lot of the stuff. It doesn't like sitting around. Develop asap after exposure. I load this stuff in darkness, not "moderate light".

Requires some experimentation to get best results.

You do not "some" light.

Bottom Line:   
This film loves the night. I used to get Lieca rangefinder envy. No more. Not as long as Ilford continues to make this excellent high speed film in medium format. This film enables MF high speed. I can go out with my slow f3.5 and f4 lenses - not to worry.

I don't see how people can complain about this film. I find it absolutely amazing. Are they using the wrong developer? Is it spending too much time under the light of the enlarger? Perhaps it's not as good in the 35mm format? Are they shooting in daylight? (Obviously there are far better films for /that/ purpose... Most any, for that matter.) Is it sitting in the camera too long? This film needs to be used right away, and developed promptly.

Here's the magic numbers that work for me, (YMMV!).

Meter at 3200
Develop for 3200 with DDX, 9 minutes, standard dillution, as stated inside the box. (I haven't tried pusing yet... Haven't had the need.)

Printing:
I use an Omega B22 enlarger with a condenser head, Agfa VC paper, 2 filter grade:

3 seconds(!) at f-11 for night street shots. That's it! Not 5, not 4, but 3 seconds. The inclination is to go longer, but don't just a quick zap of light.

1 minute in Dektol standard dilution, few secs in stop bath, fix and rinse...

... absolutey PERFECT, sharp, contrasty prints with surprisingly good tonality for a high speed film and mild, pleasing grain.

I will be very disappointed if Ilford ever discontinues this film in 120. Choices are limited, but I don't need any other choices. It's darn near perfect. And I will always have this film available in the fridge.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Price Paid:    $3.00

Purchased At:   Ardorama

Similar Products Used:   This is the only film rated at 3200 in 120, haven't tried the Fugi 1600. This is so good I don't need to.

At one time or another I've used all the Agfa, Ilford, and Kodaks 120 black and white stock.

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:2
Value Rating:3
Submitted by Lthlwpn1979 a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004

Strengths:    Fast shutter speed (1/500 sec) with a telephoto zoom at 300mm on a cloudy day.

Weaknesses:    GRAIN!

Bottom Line:   
I was not aware this much grain in film was legal. It was to the point of sligtly distorting objects in the image. I photographed a local marathon for a class assignment using Delta 3200 and Neopan 1600. It was early and cloudy all day, and since I can't afford anything in the L series range I had to go with very high speed film. Our school lab uses Ilford chemicals for developement and Ilford paper for prints. The Delta came out with an overwhelming amount of grain that destracted from the subject. Edges of background buildings were slightly distorted and facial expressions were hard to pick up. The Neopan results had much less contrast, near perfect, lest for a speck or two of dust the film captured, the result of changing lenses.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $6.00

Purchased At:   Alexander's Photo

Similar Products Used:   Fuji Neopan 1600

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by a Intermediate from Vancouver

Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003

Strengths:    Excellent in low-light
You don't need a tripod
The grain (I love it)

Weaknesses:    Can't make big enlargements

Bottom Line:   
A very good high speed film. Actually 1200ISO speed designed for push processing to 3200 it gives good quality images consistantly. The grain is noticeable even at small englargements but thats not the point of this film, besides I like the grain, its excellent for giving atmosphere to your pictures. An excellent film in low light situations, you never need a tripod. One of the best out there.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $5.00

Similar Products Used:   Lots of Ilford, T-Max, Fujifilm Velvia, Sensia

Type of photography:   People


Reviews 1 - 5 (23 Reviews Total) | Next 15

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Write a Review >>

  • Film Type35mm
    ColorBlack & White
    Film Speed3200 ASA
    Positive / NegativeNegative
    Exposures36 Exposures/Pictures
    PackagingConsumer
    Units in Package1
    MPNID336

Developer for Delta 3200

I was wondering what developer peple here would recomend, I am rating it at 1600.
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Ilford Delta 3200

Dear All, Has anyone had any experience with this film? :confused: Dzerzhinski
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Work Day - Ground Hog Day - Delta 3200 - New Camera

I thought I would do a bunch of uploads and kill a bunch of birds with one stone. I just got my 43mm ...
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Loren ... Delta 3200 samples & other b&w...

In response to your Help Files post re: Delta 3200, I thought I'd post some shots, using Delta 3200 ...
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Need Help Using Ilford Delta 3200

I finally got my new camera and lens and want to shoot some b&w film. Having never used Delta 3200 ( ...
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