Ilford HP5 Plus is a 400-speed traditional B&W film celebrated for its huge latitude and its willingness to be pushed several stops, making it a darkroom favorite.
Character & look
Slightly lower contrast than Tri-X, HP5 is a blank canvas that responds beautifully to developer choice and push processing. Grain is classic and pleasing, tonality is smooth, and it is very forgiving of exposure error.
Best for
StreetDocumentaryPush processingLearning the darkroom
Shooting & development tips
Pushes gracefully to 1600 and even 3200. In Ilford DD-X it stays smooth; in Rodinal it gets crunchy and sharp. A superb film to learn development on.
FAQ
How far can I push HP5?
Two stops to EI 1600 is routine and clean; three stops to 3200 is usable with more grain and contrast.