Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is one of the most widely used black and white films in the world—and for good reason. With its distinctive look, forgiving exposure latitude, and flexibility in development, HP5 has earned its place as a go-to stock for photographers of all experience levels. Whether you’re shooting street, documentary, portrait, or landscape work, this film offers a timeless aesthetic and rock-solid performance.
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Ilford HP5 Plus 400 Technical Specifications
- Film Type: Black & White Negative
- ISO Rating: 400 (can be pushed to ISO 3200)
- Format Availability: 35mm, 120 medium format, sheet film (4×5, 8×10)
- Grain Structure: Cubic (traditional) grain
- Contrast: Medium to Low
- Latitude: Wide (excellent and forgiving)
- Resolution: High (fine but visible grain at ISO 400)
- Base: Triacetate (35mm), Polyester (120)
Key Characteristics:
- Reliable in a wide range of lighting conditions and gives you that magical “film look” that digital cameras can’t provide
- Classic tonality with low-to-moderate contrast
- Excellent for higher-contrast scenes when you need to lower the contrast
- Pushes well with increased contrast and grain from 400 to 3200
- Great shadow detail retention
- Very easy to develop at home
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is known for its vintage, documentary-style tonality. It doesn’t chase perfection—it delivers character.
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Practical Tips for Shooting & Processing
Exposure Tips
- Best results when you rate the entire roll of film at the same ISO rating.
- Meter at box speed (ISO 400) for general use.
- For a slightly denser negative with richer midtones, rate at ISO 250 because this is closer to the real speed of the film.
- In low-light situations or for more contrast, push to 800, 1600, or even 3200. Expect increased grain and higher contrast with each stop. Good scanning technique can clean up a lot of the excessive grain in noticeable areas like open skies, etc.
- HP5 is incredibly forgiving—overexposing by a stop (rating at 200) still yields printable negatives and this is my standard EI rating for this film.
Development Tips
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is a very flexible film when it comes to development. Here are tested times at 20°C/68°F for common developers:
| Developer | Dilution | Time (min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford ID-11 | Stock | 7.5 | Balanced tone and grain, classic HP5 look |
| Ilford ID-11 | 1+1 | 13 | Slightly softer tones, more highlight control |
| Kodak D-76 | Stock | 7.5 | Virtually identical to ID-11 |
| Kodak D-76 | 1+1 | 13 | Use for more controlled highlights and sharpness |
| Ilfotec DD-X | Stock | 10 | Higher contrast, sharper grain, good for pushing |
| Kodak Xtol | Stock | 8.5 | Fine grain and high sharpness, ideal for scanning |
Tip: All times are based on standard agitation—continuous for the first 30 seconds, then 10 seconds every minute.
If pushing to ISO 1600 or 3200:
- Use Ilfotec DD-X, HC-110, or Rodinal for added contrast.
- Expect increased grain and contrast—great for gritty, high-impact results.
- Semi-stand development with Rodinal 1+100 (1-hour, minimal agitation) can tame highlights at high push levels.
Tip: Always run a test roll before committing to a new developer or dilution.
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Scanning Tips
- HP5 scans easily due to its strong edge contrast and density.
- Grain is visible but scans cleanly with modern flatbed or DSLR scanning setups.
- Recommended to scan at 2400–3200 dpi for most uses.
- Works well in both SilverFast and VueScan with standard B&W film profiles.
Tip: Apply a gentle curves adjustment during scanning or in post to fine-tune contrast while retaining detail.
When to Use Ilford HP5 Plus 400 vs. Kodak T-Max 400
Both Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak T-Max 400 are professional-grade black and white films rated at ISO 400, but they offer very different aesthetics and characteristics. Choosing between them depends on your creative goals, subject matter, and workflow preferences.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 – For a Classic, Expressive Look
- Best For: Street, documentary, portraiture, expressive landscapes, vintage or timeless aesthetics.
- Look & Feel: HP5 has a traditional cubic grain structure that gives images a textured, organic look. Its tonality is smooth but leans toward medium contrast with a more “gritty” or “atmospheric” character, especially when pushed.
- Exposure Flexibility: Incredibly forgiving. You can underexpose or overexpose by a stop or two and still get usable results.
- Development Flexibility: Pushes very well to ISO 800, 1600, or even 3200 with bold contrast and expressive grain.
- Darkroom Appeal: Prints beautifully with rich blacks and soft highlights. A favorite for classic wet printing workflows.
Choose HP5 when you want a traditional black-and-white look, maximum creative flexibility, and a film that’s forgiving in unpredictable lighting conditions.
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Kodak T-Max 400 – For Precision and Detail
- Best For: Portraits, fine art, architecture, high-resolution scans, and clean, modern compositions.
- Look & Feel: T-Max uses T-Grain (tabular grain) technology, which creates extremely fine grain and high sharpness—even finer than many 100-speed traditional films. Tonality is very smooth with excellent midtone separation and detail retention.
- Exposure Flexibility: Handles overexposure well. Slight underexposure can lead to higher contrast, but with care, it’s easily manageable.
- Development Specificity: Responds well to exacting development practices; ideal for photographers who want repeatable, consistent negatives.
- Digital Workflow Strength: Scans exceptionally well with low noise and wide tonal range, making it ideal for hybrid shooters.
Choose T-Max 400 when your priority is fine detail, sharpness, and a clean modern aesthetic—especially when enlarging or scanning for digital output.
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Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | Kodak T-Max 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Grain | Traditional (cubic), more visible | T-Grain, extremely fine |
| Contrast | Medium, increases when pushed | Medium to high, very smooth |
| Best Push Speed | ISO 1600–3200 | ISO 800–1600 (with increased contrast) |
| Aesthetic | Classic, gritty, expressive | Clean, modern, high fidelity |
| Scanning | Very good, but grain more apparent | Excellent, smooth tones and low grain |
| Darkroom Printing | Traditional look, easy to print | Requires more control, great enlargements |
Final Guidance
If you’re shooting a street project in unpredictable light, or you want a film with soul, HP5 is your friend. If you’re shooting portraits with razor-sharp detail, or planning to make large, clean prints or scans, T-Max 400 is a strong choice.
Both films are versatile and professional—but they serve different creative intentions. Use their strengths to match your vision.
Final Thoughts
Ilford HP5 Plus is not just a film—it’s a creative companion. Its tonal flexibility, forgiving exposure range, and ease of development make it ideal for experimentation as well as consistent results. Whether you’re printing in the darkroom or scanning for a hybrid workflow, HP5 gives you the latitude and personality to make your vision a reality.
Explore the “Guides” menu above to discover in-depth film and camera guides designed to help you get the most out of your photography—whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft.
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Master the Craft of Analog Photography On Your Own Schedule
My Analog Photography Video Workshops deliver in-depth, practical instruction you can watch anytime. Whether you’re in the darkroom or out in the field, these workshops are designed to help you grow your analog photography and darkroom skills with clarity and confidence. 👉 Explore the workshops now.
