Ilford HP5 Plus 120 B&W Film

Choose Ilford HP5 Plus in 120 format when you want a black & white film that is flexible, dependable and full of character. Its ISO 400 speed gives you more freedom than slower films such as FP4 Plus, especially when shooting handheld, in changing weather or in weaker light. At the same time, the larger 120 negative helps produce smoother tones and excellent detail. HP5 Plus is also one of the best choices if you like push processing. It can be exposed at higher effective speeds and developed accordingly, making it useful for evening photography, indoor events and situations where you need faster shutter speeds. It is particularly appealing to photographers who prefer a classic black & white look with visible grain, rather than the ultra-fine, cleaner appearance of films such as Delta 400.

Start at ISO 400. This gives the best all-round balance of shadow detail, tonal range and grain. Give the shadows enough exposure. Proper exposure helps preserve detail in darker areas and produces easier-to-print or scan negatives. Try EI 800 for extra flexibility. A one-stop push is useful when light levels begin to fall or when you need a faster shutter speed. Push to EI 1600 when required. HP5 Plus responds very well to push processing, though contrast and grain will increase. EI 3200 is also possible. This can be useful for very low light, concerts or indoor events, but expect noticeably stronger grain and reduced shadow detail. Tell your lab when pushing. If you shoot the film above ISO 400, make sure the lab knows the exposure index so development can be adjusted correctly. Use a tripod when needed. Medium-format cameras are often larger and heavier, so extra stability can improve sharpness at slower shutter speeds. Focus carefully. The larger negative records plenty of detail, so focusing errors are more noticeable, especially at wide apertures. Remember frame count depends on your camera. A 120 roll gives different numbers of photographs depending on whether your camera shoots 6×4.5, 6×6, 6×7, 6×9 or another format. Experiment with coloured filters. Yellow, orange and red filters can increase tonal separation and darken blue skies. Remember to compensate for the filter factor. Scan at high resolution. HP5 Plus in 120 format can produce excellent digital files while preserving the film’s classic grain and tonal qualities. Ilford HP5 Plus requires conventional black & white development.