What can I do to improve this negative?

[tien_le]

<p>This is my third rolls Delta400 in HC-110 dilution H(1/63) for 15 min at 22C<br>

Only one pics is decent because it is located at the outer of the reel. All other are very low detail I guess due to inadequate agitation.<br>

Should I keep this dilution and increase agitation by reverting the tank more often?<br>

Change to 1/32 dilution and use appropriate time to make sure the developer solution between 2 film surfaces don't exhausted?<br>

Increase time?<br>

How about grain? Is it typical of this Delta400 or it is excessive?<br>

Also how I can improve the clarity?<br>

Thanks for your advices.<br>

<img src="http://uyle.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/img322s.jpg?w=1280" alt="img322s" /></p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>post the negative or link to it.</p>

[tien_le]

<p>I did see the picture there. It was slow, take sometime to load though.</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>No picture is visible here. You need to insert it or give us a link to it.</p>

<p><Chas></p>

[tien_le]

<div></div>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Using http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2010628953322222.pdf as a reference, Delta 400 should be developed in HC110 dilution B for 7 1/2 minutes at 68°F/20°C. http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/ lists Dilution H as 1:63 with double the time of dilution B. 15 minutes development time is correct for developer at 20°C and is too long for developer at 22°C. Use the time/temperature conversion chart on the Delta 400 spec sheet and 6 1/4 minutes comes up as correct for 22°C, double it for dil H and get 12 minutes 30 seconds.<br>

1. Your sample is over developed due to higher developer temperature. This is evident in the brightest highlights, the sunlight coming through the shutters and the top little girls left shoulder.<br>

2. The image is under exposed. The little girls forehead and cheek appear dark grey as does the lap top and lighter colored walls and the girls dress are grey, not low lit light color or white.</p>

<p>Now I do not know what camera or meter was used but the bright sun coming through the shutters will cause a centerweighted camera meter to under expose. Careful spot metering would have balanced the lighting better.</p>

<p>I would start by setting the meter to EI 320 or EI 250 to compensate for meter/aperture/shutter speed errors as the vast majority of equipment is off by up to 1/3 stop under exposed. Decrease your development time to the 12 minute to 13 minute range or decrease the processing temperature to 20°C. A little ice will cool the chemicals quickly. Avoid very bright light sources or reflections in the metered area.</p>

 

[tien_le]

<p>Charles,<br>

Thanks for your detailed analysis. I will adjust the developping time. How about the dilution H? Do you recomment using different dilution?</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>I've been using dil H for a while, like the results and as the reports say there is little or no difference between dilutions in terms of results.</p>

[steve_mareno1]

<p>Charles has covered the main areas. I will only point out that there is a lighting problem. Your main subject's face is in shadow.</p>