Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Characteristics
- Grain: medium
- Contrast: medium
- Latitude: wide
- Formats available: 35mm, 120, 4x5
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is Ilford's flagship fast cubic-grain B&W film — the European counterpart to Kodak Tri-X 400 and the second-most-shot fast B&W film in current production. HP5 Plus has been continuously produced since 1989 (replacing the earlier HP5); it is the workhorse of British photojournalism, street photography, and documentary work, with a tonal character that's slightly cooler and more neutral than Tri-X's warm-leaning palette.
Key features
- ISO 400 rated; medium-coarse cubic grain (similar grain structure to Tri-X)
- Wide latitude (±2 stops; comparable to Tri-X)
- Cool-neutral tonal palette — Ilford-family signature; less warm than Kodak's MQ films
- Excellent push tolerance — clean to EI 800-1600; usable to EI 3200
- Available in 35mm, 120, 4×5, and 8×10 sheet — the most format-comprehensive fast B&W film in current production
- Compatible with virtually all developers — D-76, ID-11, Microphen (Ilford-recommended for push), HC-110, XTOL, DD-X, Pyrocat-HD, Rodinal
Workflow
- Box-speed development: D-76 1:1 at 11 min, or HC-110 Dil B at 7:30, or Microphen stock at 7:30
- Push to EI 1600: Microphen stock at 12:30 — this is the canonical Ilford-recommended push workflow
- Pull to EI 200 in dilute developer for high-contrast scenes
- Standard wash and fix; HP5+ is forgiving across processing variables
Practical notes
- HP5+ is the default B&W choice for many photographers who don't need a specific tonal character — it just works across genres
- Cold storage extends shelf life; refrigerated HP5+ keeps 3-5 years past expiry without measurable change
- The 4×5 and 8×10 sheet formats are notable — few fast B&W films offer sheet, making HP5+ + Tri-X the only practical choices for fast-film LF work
- Ilford manufactures HP5+ in Mobberley, England — same factory line as FP4+ and Pan F+
Related films
- Kodak Tri-X 400 — closest competitor; warmer palette
- Ilford Delta 400 — Ilford's T-grain alternative at same speed; finer grain, neutral palette
- Ilford FP4 Plus 125 — slower Ilford cubic-grain sibling
- Ilford Pan F Plus 50 — slowest Ilford cubic-grain sibling
- Kodak T-Max 400 — Kodak T-grain alternative