AshigrainBlack-and-white negative · Black & white
Ilford HP5 Plus
Ilford's fast all-rounder for action and available light.
Ilford HP5 Plus printed on Kodak 2302: a classic 400-speed black-and-white film. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 400
- Introduced
- 1989
- In production
- Process
- ILFORD ILFOTEC HC (1+31)
About the film
Ilford HP5 Plus is a fast panchromatic black-and-white negative rated ISO 400/27°. Ilford dates it to 1989: the company's own timeline lists HP5 Plus that year, following an earlier HP5 film.
The earliest dated data sheet found, of July 2004, was published by Ilford Imaging UK at Town Lane, Mobberley. Ilford's timeline says a management buy-out in 2005 formed HARMAN technology Limited, which trades as Ilford Photo in Mobberley, Cheshire. HARMAN technology publishes the current sheet, dated November 2018. Ilford recommends the film for action, available light and general photography, and says it prints well at meter settings up to EI 3200 with extended development. It works in all the major processing systems, including those with short fixing and washing times. It comes in 135 on acetate base, in 120 on clear acetate and as sheet film on polyester, the roll and sheet films with an anti-halation backing that clears in development.
Sources for this history
- ILFORD PHOTO History, HARMAN technology Limited
- ILFORD HP5 PLUS fact sheet (July 2004), ILFORD Imaging UK Limited
- ILFORD HP5 PLUS technical information (November 2018), HARMAN technology Limited
The look
Ilford HP5 Plus is a fast ISO 400 panchromatic black-and-white negative for action, available light and everyday work, with a long, gentle toe. It prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default, or on a colour print film for a near-neutral image with the print's own tint.
Best for
- Street and documentary photography
- Available-light interiors and events
- Everyday black-and-white work
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−4⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−4⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−4⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191945
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−4 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 25−4 stops.0141974
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−3⅓ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 40−3⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain the sameEI 64−2⅔ stops.0161974–2009
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−2⅓ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 80−2⅓ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−1⅔ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−1⅓ stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · −1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · −1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0082007–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200−1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200−1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200−1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200−1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0271986
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · −⅔ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · −⅔ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · −⅔ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400Fsame speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400Xsame speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedsame speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102007–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · same speed vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052009–13
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052004–13
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +⅓ stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+1 stop vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0072004
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain finerEI 1600+2 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +3 stops vs Ilford HP5 Plus · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A fast panchromatic black-and-white negative rated at ISO 400. Its curve and spectral sensitivity are digitised from Ilford's 2004 sheet; the spectral shape is relative, read from a spectrogram made with 2850 K tungsten light. Ilford prints no MTF or granularity, so its sharpness and grain are proxied from Kodak Tri-X 400. It prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default.
Response curves and the evidence behind the model
Compare manufacturer data with Ashigrain’s response on the same axes. These curves show how the model is calibrated to its sources; they do not establish a match to photographed film.
Characteristic response
RMS granularity
Density variation (σD). Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.
| Channel | Density | Datasheet-based σD | Model σD |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | 0.3 | 0.008867 | 0.008737 |
| N | 0.6 | 0.012551 | 0.012368 |
| N | 1 | 0.016204 | 0.015968 |
| N | 1.5 | 0.019846 | 0.019557 |
Model limits
These images show the film model in use. Spectral response, lighting and viewing conditions include approximations. Halation, bloom, grain size, weave and flicker are not fully measured for each film. The look of real film also depends on development and print timing.
- Custom lighting spectra, camera metering and the spectral reflectance inferred from fixed-white-balance footage are assumptions used by the model, not measurements of this film.
- The source gives a daylight ISO speed but no colour balance. Daylight calibration and spectrally neutral silver density are assumptions.
- The characteristic curve uses a relative log exposure axis with no lux-second scale and no marked normal exposure; its normal-exposure point is assumed.
- The spectral sensitivity is the envelope of a wedge spectrogram made with 2850 K tungsten light, used relative to its own printed scale. The spectrogram-to-sensitivity conversion is not printed, and the 2850 K light is not divided out.
- The sheet prints no MTF or granularity. Both are proxied from Kodak Tri-X 400, the Kodak black-and-white negative of the same speed and grain class, so the sharpness and granularity shown are that film's, not measurements of HP5 Plus.
- No push curves are published; push and pull use a generic model.
- The sheet's reciprocity power law starts at ½ s; the model applies it from 1 s, so exposures between ½ s and 1 s get no correction. The sheet gives no upper limit to the law's validity.
- The anti-halation backing is described only for roll and sheet film, not 135, so halation is off by default. Its strength, radius and bloom are not measured.
- Characteristic response outside the published exposure range is an extrapolation, not measured film data.
- In the print branch it prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default. Black-and-white print timing is modelled.
Reciprocity: modelled from 1/10000 s to 100 s, following the datasheet's corrections for long and short exposures. Exposure time stops at the ends of that range.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Exposure index: ILFORD HP5 PLUS fact sheet, July 2004, p. 1
- Characteristic curves: ILFORD HP5 PLUS fact sheet, July 2004, p. 5
- Process: ILFORD HP5 PLUS fact sheet, July 2004, p. 5