ILFORD HP5 Plus 400 - Film Review

Ilford HP5 Plus 400 – Classic Black & White Film

Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is one of the longest running black and white film stocks still in production – and for good reason. Known for its iconic, classic look, HP5 delivers beautifully subtle tones, medium to low contrast, and a pleasing grain structure that captures incredible detail across a wide tonal range.

With its excellent exposure latitude, HP5 performs reliably in almost any lighting condition and pushes extremely well. It can be shot at its native ISO 400 or easily pushed to 800 or 1600 for added contrast and a punchier look without significant loss of detail.

Here at The Darkroom Lab, HP5 is one of our most commonly developed black and white films – right alongside Kodak Tri-X 400. We often shoot it at ISO 800 and push +1 stop in development to enhance contrast and make it even more versatile for low-light or indoor shooting.

Whether you’re photographing portraits, street scenes, documentary projects, or just everyday life, HP5 remains one of the most reliable, forgiving, and affordable black-and-white film options available.

If you’re looking for a timeless, flexible film that consistently delivers that authentic analog aesthetic, it’s hard to go wrong with Ilford HP5 Plus 400.

Buy this film online – 35mm | 120 Rolls