Ilford Delta 400 Professional stands as a remarkable epitome of modern film technology. This 400 ISO black and white film embodies a combination of sharpness, fine grain, and an excellent latitude, making it a compelling choice for photographers. This review delves into the core attributes of Delta 400 Professional, drawing comparisons with other 400 ISO films such as Ilford HP5 Plus, Kentmere 400, and some offerings from Kodak.
Contrast and Sharpness
One of the first aspects you’ll notice with Delta 400 Professional is its modern, crisp look. The contrast is snappy without being overly harsh, producing images with a rich tonal range. When compared to HP5 Plus, which is known for its classic, somewhat softer contrast, Delta 400 Professional delivers a more contemporary, sharper image quality that’s particularly noticeable in the rendition of fine details.
Grain Structure
The grain structure of Delta 400 Professional is where modern technology truly shines. It employs Ilford’s core-shell crystal technology, rendering a very fine, tight grain. This is in contrast to the traditional grain structure of HP5 Plus, which tends to be more apparent, lending a classic, analogue aesthetic to the images. This fine grain of Delta 400 allows for a higher degree of sharpness, making it a great choice for photographers seeking a smoother look in their black and white images.
Overall Image Quality
The overall image quality of Delta 400 Professional is exceptional. It provides a clean, modern aesthetic with a good degree of sharpness, balanced contrast, and fine grain, which is often favoured for commercial and fine art photography. When compared to HP5 Plus, the image quality can be considered as more refined, catering to photographers who prefer a modern look over a classic one.
Processing in Ilford Ilfotec DD-X
To achieve the best from Delta 400 Professional, processing it in Ilford Ilfotec DD-X is highly recommended. This developer is known to maintain the fine grain structure while providing excellent sharpness and optimal image quality. The synergy between Delta 400 and Ilfotec DD-X ensures that the film’s full potential is harnessed, rendering images with exceptional clarity and tonal range.
Latitude
The exposure latitude of Delta 400 Professional is impressive, forgiving slight overexposure and underexposure without significant loss of detail. However, when compared to HP5 Plus, the latter might have a slight edge in terms of latitude, making HP5 Plus a bit more forgiving in varying lighting conditions. Yet, Delta 400 Professional still holds its ground well, providing photographers with a reliable film that performs consistently across a range of lighting scenarios.
Comparison with Other 400 ISO Films
When juxtaposed with Kentmere 400, Delta 400 Professional exhibits a finer grain structure and better sharpness. Kentmere 400, while a budget-friendly option, doesn’t quite match up to the image quality of Delta 400.
In comparison to Kodak’s 400 ISO films like Kodak Tri-X 400 and T-Max 400, Delta 400 Professional holds its own. Tri-X 400 has a classic grain structure and a distinctive rendering that some photographers prefer for its vintage appeal. On the other hand, T-Max 400, with its T-grain technology, provides a fine grain similar to Delta 400 but tends to have a slightly different tonal rendering. The modern aesthetic of Delta 400 Professional aligns more with T-Max 400, although, as mentioned, with a unique tonal quality.
Conclusion
Ilford Delta 400 Professional stands as a refined, modern film offering a blend of sharpness, fine grain, and reliable performance. Its contrast and overall image quality put it a notch above in rendering a modern aesthetic compared to other 400 ISO films like HP5 Plus. The optimal results achieved when processed in Ilfotec DD-X further accentuate its appeal, making it a strong contender for those seeking a high-quality, modern black and white film. While HP5 Plus may offer a slight advantage in exposure latitude, the sharpness and fine grain structure of Delta 400 Professional make it a highly desirable film for a wide array of photographic applications.