Ilford Delta 3200 Review: Insights & Results from 36 Exposures

Key takeaways:

• Ilford Delta 3200 is known for its high ISO, making it suitable for low-light and fast-action photography.

• The film has a large grain structure due to its high sensitivity to light.

• There is debate whether it truly performs at a 3200 ISO or if it’s a 1000 ISO film pushed to 3200.

• Delta 3200’s wide exposure latitude allows for pushing or pulling during development.

• Understanding the film’s characteristics is crucial for capturing detailed and well-exposed images.

All photos were taken by Yvonne Hanson

Unraveling the Ilford Delta 3200 Mystique

When you first lay your hands on a roll of Ilford Delta 3200, you can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. It’s touted as one of the fastest black and white films in the world, promising to capture the essence of low-light environments and freeze fast-moving subjects with ease. But what’s behind this mystique? Let’s peel back the layers and get to the heart of what makes Delta 3200 so intriguing to photographers around the globe.

What Makes Delta 3200 Stand Out?

At first glance, the Ilford Delta 3200’s claim to fame is its high ISO rating of 3200, which in theory allows photographers to shoot in dimly lit situations without sacrificing shutter speed or aperture. But it’s not just about shooting in the dark; it’s about capturing life as it happens, without a flash, preserving the natural ambiance of the moment.

However, the real magic of Delta 3200 lies in its grain structure. The film is coated with large silver halide crystals, which are highly reactive to light. This sensitivity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it enables the film to soak up light quickly, making it ideal for capturing quick snapshots. On the other, it results in a pronounced grain that gives photos a distinct, gritty character.

Common Misconceptions Clarified

Despite its popularity, there’s a common misconception that Delta 3200 can magically turn night into day. It’s important to understand that while it’s excellent for low-light situations, it doesn’t negate the need for good lighting practices. Also, there’s a debate in the photography community about whether Delta 3200 is a true 3200 ISO film or if it’s a 1000 ISO film that’s been pushed in processing to reach 3200. This discussion is more than academic; it influences how you approach shooting with this film.

Most importantly, Delta 3200 has what’s known as a wide exposure latitude. This means it’s quite forgiving if over or underexposed, which can be a lifesaver when shooting in unpredictable lighting.

Testing Delta 3200: A Hands-On Experiment

There’s no better way to understand a film than to put it through its paces. So, I took a roll of Delta 3200 out for a spin, shooting 36 exposures across a variety of environments. The goal was to see how it performed under different lighting conditions and to uncover its strengths and limitations.

Challenges Faced and Overcome

One of the first challenges I encountered was metering. When shooting with such a high ISO film, it’s crucial to get your exposure right. I metered for 3200 ISO, expecting the film to be sensitive enough to handle the low-light conditions with ease. However, I quickly realized that the film didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its ISO rating.

In well-lit areas, like under a stadium’s floodlights, the film seemed to underperform, not capturing as much light as anticipated. It was a clear sign that while Delta 3200 is fast, it’s not infallible.

Nighttime Photography: Expectations vs. Reality

Heading out into the night with a roll of Ilford Delta 3200, you might expect to capture the world in all its after-dark glory. The high ISO promises a level of sensitivity that should make low-light photography a breeze. However, reality often paints a different picture.

Even in areas that I considered well-lit, such as beneath the bright lights of a city stadium, the Delta 3200 didn’t quite soak up as much light as I had hoped. Shots that I thought would be vibrant and detailed turned out darker than anticipated, even when metered correctly. This was a valuable lesson in setting realistic expectations for nighttime photography with this film.

Here’s an example: a photo taken under the stadium lights with Delta 3200, expected to be bright and vivid, ended up more muted and shadowy than one might predict from an ISO 3200 film.

Here is a shot of Vancouver City Hall taken at night and while you can clearly see that it is iced with lines of Lights, those lights apparently don’t cast enough light down the building to illuminate the walls. I was expecting more of that light to show up in this image especially since I shot this image Overexposed, according to light meter based on the 3200 ISO setting and it still came out what I would consider to be very underexposed

Exploring Indoor and Overcast Day Scenarios

Indoors and on overcast days, the lighting conditions change drastically. These scenarios often offer diffuse light, which can be a challenge for any film, especially one known for its grain. With Delta 3200, the results can be quite varied. For photographers interested in learning more about light management, understanding dynamic range in film photography can be particularly beneficial.

During overcast days, the soft, even light can help minimize the appearance of grain, resulting in smoother images. However, the lack of contrast in such lighting can also lead to flat images if not metered and composed carefully. The key is to find scenes with elements that provide natural contrast or to enhance contrast during development or post-processing.

Here is the results shooting in:

• Direct light

• Ambient light

• Reflective light

• Diffuse light

Delta 3200 Vs. The Competition

Comparing Grain and Sensitivity

Delta 3200 is renowned for its large grain structure, which contributes to its unique look. In comparison, films like Kodak T-Max 3200 are also high-speed black and white films but are often praised for a finer grain. This difference in grain structure can significantly affect the image’s aesthetic and the level of detail visible in the final print.

Price Point and Value for Money

Price is always a consideration, and Delta 3200 sits at a premium compared to some other black and white films. However, its high ISO and distinctive grain structure offer a value that goes beyond cost alone. It’s about what you value in your photography: the ability to shoot in varied lighting conditions, or the particular aesthetic that Delta 3200 delivers.

You can order one roll of Delta 3200 film here – 120mm or 35mm

Who Should Use Delta 3200?

• Those who appreciate a grainy, classic black and white film aesthetic.

• Artists seeking a film with a wide exposure latitude for creative flexibility.

• Experienced film users who understand how to leverage the film’s characteristics to their advantage.

• Anyone willing to experiment and embrace the unpredictability of film photography.

Ilford Delta 3200 is not for everyone. It requires an understanding of its capabilities and limitations, as well as a willingness to embrace its distinctive grain and contrast. But for those who are up for the challenge, it can be a rewarding medium that adds a timeless quality to their work.

Therefore, if you’re new to film photography, you might want to start with a more forgiving film. But if you’re looking to push your creative boundaries and don’t mind a bit of trial and error, Delta 3200 could be the film that brings your low-light and fast-action images to life.

Check out my YouTube video for more information