to push or not to push

[johnnopc]

hi everyone,
i am going to london soon and plan to take pictures in the british museum with my ensign ful-vue (box camera). having been there before i know that the light levels will be low in there, 1/30 at f/2.8 with 400 speed film in most areas. however i have a small stock of high speed black and white film ( ilford delta 3200). I believe with the fixed speed and aperature of the camera i will generally under exposing by 1 stop.
will i be better leaving my pictures under exposed by one stop or getting the film push processed. i don't process/print myself and will be sending off the film.
thanks
ian.

[Gordon_McGeachie]

You may find that using a speed of 3200 in doors without flash should be okay

[Benchista]

Only thing is that it's not a true 3200 film anyway, and is already being pushed to reach that speed. But there are so many variables at work that it's really hard to predict what might be best.

[Gordon_McGeachie]

I was not aware of that fact Nick, thanks for clarifying

[taxor]

Only thing is that it's not a true 3200 film anyway, and is already being pushed to reach that speed. But there are so many variables at work that it's really hard to predict what might be best.

This is true. Popular wisdom suggests a true(er) speed closer to 1600 asa and a development time for 3200 asa. My own ludicrously unscientific tests seems to bear this out.

[johnnopc]

thanks,
i think with these cameras (with one aperature and one shutter speed) they live or die on exposure latitude and maybe its simply best not to worry about it too much...
ian

[PeteE]

If it is at all OLD then it will be even slower than 1600 ASA as fast film ages so quickly,even when stored in a fridge - there are atomic particles bombarding the Earth from space which go through the metal fridge door and just LOVE to find some film emulsion to lodge in, causing a high fog level and loss of speed.