We are official resellers of Ilford film and we have a range of black and white and colour film in 35 mm and medium format in our store. But which film is right for you?

Diving Deep into the Ilford Legacy: A Film Photographer’s Guide

For generations of photographers, the name Ilford has been synonymous with quality, versatility, and the enduring magic of analogue. From the crisp, nuanced tones of a perfectly exposed black and white negative to the emerging character of their new colour offerings, Ilford films have consistently empowered artists to capture the world with unparalleled depth and emotion.

In a digital age, there’s a unique satisfaction in slowing down, composing with intention, and trusting the distinct character of film to translate your vision. If you’re a seasoned film shooter, you already know the joy of matching the right emulsion to the moment. If you’re new to the world of analogue, you’re about to discover a rich palette of possibilities.

In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to pull back the curtain on some of Ilford’s most iconic and exciting film stocks. We’ll explore their unique characteristics, delve into their ideal uses, and help you understand why each one holds a special place in the hearts of photographers worldwide. So, load up your camera and let’s embark on a journey through the timeless artistry of Ilford film.

1. Ilford Pan F Plus: The Ultrafine Grain Champion

When absolute detail and virtually invisible grain are your top priorities, Pan F Plus delivers.

Description: A super-fine grain, slow-speed (ISO 50) black and white film. It offers exceptional sharpness, extremely wide tonal rendition, and almost imperceptible grain, even in large enlargements.

Uses: Pan F Plus is designed for situations demanding the highest possible resolution and smoothness:

• Studio Photography: Ideal for still life, product photography, and formal portraits where every detail matters.
• Landscape and Architecture Photography: Captures intricate textures and fine lines with stunning clarity and detail.
• Fine Art Photography: Perfect for creating exhibition-quality prints where grain is to be minimised.
• Bright Conditions: Its slow speed means it requires plenty of light, making it perfect for tripod-based work outdoors or in well-lit studios.
• Scanning: Its fine grain makes for incredibly clean digital scans.

 

2. Ilford XP2 Super: Black & White Simplicity, Colour Convenience

For those who love the look of black and white but prefer the ease of modern lab processing, XP2 Super is a game-changer.

Description: A unique high-speed (ISO 400) chromogenic black and white film. Unlike traditional black and white films, XP2 Super is processed in standard C-41 colour chemistry, meaning you can drop it off at virtually any photo lab that processes colour negatives. It produces sharp images with excellent tonality, a broad exposure latitude, and a very fine, almost grainless appearance, especially when exposed generously.

Uses: XP2 Super is ideal for photographers seeking convenience without sacrificing quality:

• General Everyday Shooting: Perfect for spontaneous shots, street photography, and travel when you want black and white but don’t want to home process or seek out specialised labs.
• Pushing/Pulling: Its wide exposure latitude allows for significant pushing or pulling (e.g., exposing from ISO 50 to ISO 800) with impressive results, offering flexibility in varied lighting.
• Event Photography: Its speed and fine grain are excellent for capturing moments in diverse lighting conditions.
• Scanning: Its clear base and fine grain make it exceptionally well-suited for high-quality digital scanning, yielding clean files.

 

3. Ilford HP5 Plus: The Versatile Workhorse

If there’s one film that epitomises versatility and reliability, it’s Ilford HP5 Plus.

Description: A classic, medium-speed (ISO 400) black and white film known for its wide tonal range, excellent pushability, and forgiving exposure latitude. It has a visible but not overly aggressive grain structure.

Uses: HP5 Plus is the ultimate all-rounder. It excels in a vast array of photographic situations:

• Documentary and Photojournalism: Its speed and versatility make it ideal for capturing fast-paced moments and varied lighting conditions.
• Street Photography: Great for candid shots, offering enough speed for handheld shooting in many scenarios.
• Portraits: Produces pleasing skin tones and a classic look.
• Available Light Photography: Can be pushed to ISO 800, 1600, or even 3200 with excellent results, making it suitable for low-light situations.
• General Everyday Shooting: If you only carry one black and white film, make it HP5 Plus.

 

4. Ilford FP4 Plus: The Fine-Grained Master

When sharpness and fine grain are paramount, FP4 Plus steps into the spotlight.

Description: A medium-speed (ISO 125) black and white film renowned for its extremely fine grain, superb sharpness, and excellent acutance (edge contrast). It delivers rich, detailed negatives with a wide range of tones.

Uses: FP4 Plus is the go-to choice for photographers seeking maximum detail and smooth tonality:

• Landscape Photography: Captures intricate details and textures with stunning clarity.
• Architecture Photography: Ideal for rendering sharp lines and subtle variations in building materials.
• Studio Photography: Perfect for still life, product photography, and formal portraits where precision is key.
• Fine Art Photography: Its ability to produce rich, nuanced prints makes it a favourite for exhibition-quality work.
• Bright Conditions: Best used in good light where its lower ISO isn’t a limiting factor.

 

5. Ilford Delta 100 Professional: The Modern Marvel of Acuity

For those who crave technical perfection and incredibly fine grain even at higher magnifications, Delta 100 Professional is a true performer.

Description: A medium-speed (ISO 100) film that utilises Ilford’s “Core-Shell” crystal technology, resulting in exceptionally fine grain, outstanding sharpness, and a wide exposure latitude. It offers superb detail and a clean, modern aesthetic.

Uses: Delta 100 Professional is designed for critical applications where absolute image quality is paramount:

• Fine Art Photography: Excels in creating prints with incredible detail and smooth gradations.
• Still Life and Macro Photography: Captures the minutiae of subjects with breathtaking clarity.
• Studio and Commercial Photography: Where precise control over exposure and maximum sharpness are required.
• Landscape and Architecture: Similar to FP4 Plus, but with an even more refined grain structure for discerning eyes.

6. Ilford Delta 400 Professional: High Speed, Low Grain

Bridging the gap between speed and fine grain, Delta 400 Professional offers a compelling alternative to HP5 Plus.

Description: A high-speed (ISO 400) film that employs the same “Core-Shell” technology as Delta 100, providing significantly finer grain than traditional ISO 400 films like HP5 Plus, while maintaining excellent sharpness and a broad tonal range.

Uses: Delta 400 Professional is perfect when you need speed but don’t want to compromise on grain:

• Available Light Photography: Ideal for challenging lighting conditions where a fast shutter speed or smaller aperture is needed.
• Photojournalism and Documentary: When capturing fast-moving subjects or working in low light, without the noticeable grain of traditional high-speed films.
• Street Photography: Allows for more flexibility in shutter speeds and apertures, while still yielding very clean negatives.
• Fashion and Editorial Photography: When a clean, sharp look is desired in diverse lighting scenarios.

 

7. Ilford Ortho Plus 80: The Specialised Performer

Ortho Plus 80 is a unique offering, designed for specific applications.

Description: A fine-grain, orthochromatic (insensitive to red light) film with a nominal speed of ISO 80 in daylight and ISO 40 under tungsten light. It’s characterised by its ability to render red tones as dark, making it useful for certain photographic effects.

Uses: Ortho Plus 80 has a specialised role:

• Copy Work: Excellent for reproducing documents, drawings, and artwork due to its high contrast and fine grain.
• Medical and Scientific Photography: Used in applications where red sensitivity is undesirable.
• Alternative Processes: Popular with artists working with processes like cyanotype or platinum/palladium printing.
• Creative Portraiture: Can be used to create dramatic portraits by rendering lips and other red areas very dark, often used for a “gothic” or graphic look.
• Landscape with Red Elements: Can make red flowers or autumn leaves appear very dark and moody.

 

Colour Films: A New Chapter

While not their traditional domain, Ilford has made exciting strides into the colour film market, often through collaborations or special editions, offering unique palettes to photographers.

8. Ilfocolor Cine Tone: The Cinematic Dream

Description: Ilfocolor Cine Tone is a daylight-balanced (5500K) colour negative film, often noted for its fine grain, rich saturation, and subtle, often cinematic colour palette. It tends to produce pleasing skin tones and can have a slightly warmer or cooler bias depending on the batch and processing, but generally aims for a classic film look. It’s a true C-41 process film.

Uses: This film is designed to evoke the aesthetic of classic motion picture film, making it perfect for:

• Portraits: Creates beautiful, natural skin tones and a soft, pleasing aesthetic.
• Street Photography: Adds a unique, artistic touch with its distinctive colour rendering.
• Everyday Photography: For those who want a colour film with a characterful, rather than purely neutral, look.
• Visual Storytelling: When aiming for a cohesive, filmic visual narrative.

 

9. Ilfocolor Vintage: The Nostalgic Palette

Description: Ilfocolor Vintage is a daylight-balanced (5500K) colour negative film that aims to deliver a distinct nostalgic aesthetic. While specifics can vary between batches or limited runs, it’s often characterised by desaturated colours, muted tones, and a slightly warmer or cooler colour shift reminiscent of older film stocks or faded prints. It’s also processed in standard C-41 chemistry.

Uses: This film is chosen specifically for its unique, retro-inspired look:

• Nostalgic Photography: Perfect for capturing scenes that benefit from a timeless, aged feel.
• Travel and Lifestyle: Imparts a dreamy, slightly ethereal quality to travel memories.
• Creative Projects: Ideal for photographers looking to achieve a specific vintage aesthetic without post-processing.
• Fashion and Editorial: Can be used to create specific moods and evoke historical periods.

 

Embracing the Ilford Legacy

Whether you’re a seasoned film photographer or just beginning your photographic journey, Ilford offers an unparalleled range of films for every creative need and technical demand. Each emulsion, black and white or colour, has its own character, inviting you to experiment and discover the unique visual language it can help you create. So load up your camera, head out, and let the enduring beauty of Ilford film inspire your next masterpiece!

Check out our range of film and darkroom equipment at our Chiltern store and online