Ilford HP5 was the first black and white film that I shot on, and it's a true classic for a reason.
Despite the gorgeous sunshine in the Florida Keys, I wanted to put Ilford HP5 to the test to create some moody, dramatic scenes, and it definitely came in handy during the overcast days. Being rated at ISO 400, it was great reaching for this film stock in those lower light situations.
If you're in a toss up between which Ilford film to choose, we also have a post on Ilford FP4 vs HP5 which I definitely recommend heading over to next!
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 Review & Images
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 At A Glance
Key Features
Film Speed: ISO 400
Format: Available in 35mm, 120, and large format sheets
Exposure Latitude: Excellent, allowing for push processing up to ISO 3200
Grain: Classic, fine grain for a timeless look
Tonal Range: Wide tonal range, perfect for capturing details in both highlights and shadows
Exposure Latitude
One of HP5 Plus 400's standout features is its remarkable exposure latitude. This means you can underexpose or overexpose the film without significantly degrading the image quality.
It performs admirably when pushed to higher ISOs, making it ideal for low-light conditions or when you need extra contrast.
Grain and Sharpness
The grain structure of HP5 Plus 400 strikes a perfect balance between texture and clarity. While it is not as fine-grained as slower films like Ilford FP4 Plus, the grain adds a classic, cinematic aesthetic that many photographers love.
The film also delivers excellent sharpness, especially when developed in Ilford's recommended chemicals like ID-11 or DD-X.
Tonal Range
HP5 Plus 400 excels in capturing a wide range of tones, from deep blacks to bright whites.
This makes it particularly well-suited for high-contrast scenes, such as street photography in harsh sunlight or dramatic landscapes. The mid-tones are rich and well-defined, giving images a sense of depth.
Ideal Uses
Street Photography: Its fast speed and forgiving nature make it perfect for dynamic, unpredictable environments.
Portraits: The wide tonal range ensures skin tones are rendered beautifully.
Low-Light Photography: Push processing allows for excellent performance in dim conditions.
Documentary and Photojournalism: The classic look and reliable performance are great for storytelling.
The Results
Despite some overexposure issues (blame the photographer, wait, that's me lol!), the film boasts a wide latitude with a good dynamic range but still offers deep punchy blacks in the shadows of the shots for a good contrast.
This is noticeable on quite a few of the shots below, and where there was a darker contrast in the setting, this performed better on film. Such as the sea shots with the pelicans which was taken in Isla Morada.
The images do have a light level of grain, it's not too strong but it's noticeable enough to be analogue, and one of my personal favourite things about shooting on film.
This pelican shot trumped my favourites by far, this was actually a pretty overcast day, no direct sunlight and from my selection of shots, these were the days the film performed best.
I adore the range of tonal colours and those inky blacks in the foliage, boat and sea for beautiful contrast. You do have to be slightly selective when shooting on black and white for this reason, higher contrasting items in the shot will deliver those punchier images.
Not the best shot from my round up, but a great demonstration of the tonal range. These images were all taken on Fujifilm Clear Shot 10 Auto point and shoot film camera, the film also went through the standard airport x-ray machines twice for the journey, developed back at home with our black and white film processing service.
What do you think? Are you a fan of this film stock? If you’re looking for a film that can handle anything from bright sunlight to dim interiors, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is a fantastic choice.
Give it a try, and you may find it becomes your new favourite black-and-white film!
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