Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review

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While shooting any black and white film, Ilford HP5 Plus included, you have to think from a alternative perspective, something different than if you were shooting in color. You’re forced to know where your lighting is coming from and it how it will affect your image at all times. Granted you must do the same with color film, but you have much more leeway because you have other colors to show what black and white would not be able to show.

This is one of the reasons why shooting black and white while facing your light source isn’t the most accurate unless you are trying to go for that silhouette style and feel.

In 1998, at the Milan Triennale, notorious black-and-white photographer Peter Lindbergh was interviewed by Antonio Ria about his work and his style of photography. One of the questions that Ria asked Lindbergh was “What does black and white give you that color does not?”

His response was revolutionary and truly changed the perspective of many photographers from this point forward. Lindbergh continues, “Reality is in color. Black-and-white photography is an interpretation of reality. What interests me most in my work is charisma. I have noticed when comparing colour proofs with black-and-white proofs that the charisma of a person is expressed more clearly in a black-and-white image. No doubt that it is because the black-and-white image already constitutes an interpretation and not a true representation” (Peter Lindberg Selected Works 1996-1998).

With this newfound personalized reality, a photographer has the ability to create something new, something they have never seen before – one of the many reasons why black-and-white photography is still so important today.

Today we’re going to be taking a look at one of my personal favorite black-and-white films, Ilford HP5 Plus, let’s take a look!

Ilford HP5 Plus

Since 1931 Ilford has been producing Hypersensitive Panchromatic (HP) cubic grain black-and-white film while continuously advancing and producing new forms of the original. In 1960, the next advancement was made on the Ilford HP film to the ASA/ISO. Around this time they made the change from ASA/ISO 200 to 400 to help compensate for light as an exposure safety margin.

Now, the original Ilford HP black-and-white film has evolved into Ilford HP5 Plus, which was originated in 1989 and is now the leading competitor for Kodak’s Tri-X 400 black-and-white film stock.

All photos © Moloney Creative Agency.

Ilford HP5 Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

Nike - Arhum Balaparya - Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

Smooth Grain

One of the most sought out qualities of this film stock is the grain. At ASA/ISO 400 you’re able to shoot knowing there will be grain, but once you see your results you’ll realize that this grain isn’t really similar to any other black and white film. There’s something different about the grain on HP5 Plus.

Because you have the cubic grain feature from Ilford on this film stock, you are able to capture a more smooth and spread out grain  strengthening as you it spreads away from your focus point. It is truly remarkable for a black-and-white film and the only other film grain that I could compare it to would be Kodak Portra 400. There is something similar about the way the grain of these films shows your subject, which is one of the many reasons why HP5 Plus is becoming more common in any photographer’s camera bag.

Light Contrast

Light Contrast - Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

On top of the smooth grain featured in this film, you also are able to obtain and maintain crisp photos without too much contrast. In my eyes, contrast isn’t even a bad thing, but while shooting other black-and-white film stocks I notice that some have too much contrast, causing the photos to come out only black-and-white.

Only black-and-white on a black-and-white film, so why’s that wrong? Well, it’s not wrong, but it’s not giving you the full range of black and white. When a film has too much contrast, your photos will turn out looking extremely dark where it is black and it will be severely white in any areas with light. Sometimes this effect may be what you are looking for, but for the majority of the time I find that I don’t want too much contrast, because it will take away from the image when you probably did not need it to begin with.

This is why I’m such a big fan of Ilford HP5 Plus. The contrast is nearly perfect and you are able to capture that crisp detail while keeping the original flat image with the true shades of black and white. By true shades I’m talking about the light blacks, the grays, the dark whites, and everything in between – what you wouldn’t be capturing if you had a film with heavy contrast.

Natural Light and True Shadows

Arhum Balaparya 1 - Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

Light - Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

One of my favorite parts about Ilford HP5 Plus is its ability to capture natural light and true shadows. I find that with many other black-and-white film stocks there is something off about the color of light and shadows (things that aren’t fully black or fully white).

Whether there is too much contrast like we talked about previously or the other film stocks don’t have the ability to produce such natural color is of question, but my answer is always Ilford HP5 Plus if I go out at a bright time of day.

Overall

Overall - Ilford HP5 Film Stock Review - FilterGrade

My general consensus after shooting Ilford HP5 Plus for awhile now is that it’s my go-to whether I’m shooting 35mm or 120mm. Not only because of the crisp detail, light contrast, and its ability to capture natural light do I enjoy this film stock so much, but because it blows its competitors out of the water.

I have yet to find any black-and-white film stocks that compete on the same levels as the Ilford HP5 Plus stock. If you know of any black-and-white film stocks that are similar or better to Ilford HP5 Plus, feel free to leave a comment and let me know, I’d be more than happy to try it out!

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8 Replies to “Ilford HP5 Plus Film Stock Review”

  1. joey says:

    Can you tell me the pros & cons of using a different iso.( i.e. 200iso) Thank you

    1. Matt Moloney says:

      Hey Joey! Shooting at a lower ISO than what the film is intended to be shot at will result in a softer, more flat image; however, because you are shooting lower than recommended, the shadows/highlights may see some side effects. For example, you may not see as much grain, making the image look a bit more crisp, but you may also lose some detail in skin tones if you do not have the perfect exposure. Hope this helps!

  2. Felix says:

    Which developer and what dilution did you use for the pictures above. And how did you rate the film? These pictures look so nice and smooth. Also I guess it was 35mm format?

    1. Matt Moloney says:

      Thanks Felix! I normally use Cinestill Df96 Monobath Developer, or for certain rolls I take them to be developed at the film lab so I’m not sure what solutions they use. Also, I normally shoot HP5 at box speed or I half-rate the film (iso200). Lastly, the photos in this article were all shot in 35mm format, correct!

  3. Jay Rowden says:

    Love HP5+. It is flawless!

    1. Willy says:

      Have you tried the Rollei RPX400? It comes close to HP5 Plus in my opinion. The grains are smooth, and the dynamic range is awesome as well. Pushed 1-2 stops gave me the gritty look of both HP5 Plus and Kodak 400TX. Of course nothing beats the real deal!

  4. Claire says:

    Hi, are you going to try the Ferrania and Adox B&W film? I like the look of HP5 PLUS here, sharp and smooth with many details. I realise I don’t like those high contrast looks on the B&W photos.

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