Ilford Film

Ilford film is some of the best black and white film around. For the true analogue experience, Ilford’s range of highly affordable and versatile monochrome film is the perfect complement for your analogue camera. Whether you want to shoot 35mm, 120 medium format or 5x4 inch sheet film, there are plenty of Ilford emulsions to tempt you, each with its own distinct character.

On this page, we’ll take you through the best Ilford films available right now, explain the differences between the various types, and give you some recommendations for when to use each one. Don’t know your HP5 from your XP2? Let us be your guide!

Ilford Film

Ilford film formats

Ilford film is available in three formats: 35mm, 120 medium format, and 4x5 large format sheet film. Let’s quickly run through these types.

35mm


The most common and affordable type of film format still available, this is the format used in film SLRs like the Nikon FM2 and rangefinder cameras like the Leica M series. Full-frame sensors in digital cameras are based on the size of a 35mm frame. This type of film will generally come in rolls of either 24 or 36 exposures, so you get plenty of shots for your money.

120 film


Also known as medium format (and the size basis of medium-format sensors), 120 film format is larger than 35mm. The larger film size provides more depth of detail and dynamic range than 35mm, with the trade-off that you get fewer shots per roll – generally between 8 and 16, depending on the camera you’re using.

4x5 sheet film


Large format film provides an incredibly detailed image with outstanding depth of focus. For almost a century this was the standard for landscape photography, and many outdoor shooters still swear by it today. The film comes in individual sheets that are loaded separately into the camera, meaning they can also be developed separately.

Ilford film types

Let’s take a look at the different varieties of Ilford film that are available. We’ve ordered these by sensitivity, which is expressed as an ISO value. ISO in film (also referred to as ASA) means the same thing as it does on a digital sensor – a lower ISO value provides a sharper image with finer detail and less grain, while a higher ISO value is more sensitive to light and thus can be used in darker conditions.

Ilford PAN F Plus (ISO 50)


This is the slowest-speed Ilford film, with an ISO rating of just 50. This means it needs to be used in bright conditions, or with a decent amount of photographer-provided lighting, however the level of detail it provides and the fineness of its grain is simply superb. Ilford Pan F Plus is available in 35mm and 120 formats.

Ilford Delta 100 Pro


One of the most reliable professional Ilford films, Delta 100 is rated to ISO 100, but is robust enough to be used at an ISO setting of 50-200 and still produce good-looking results. This provides an excellent balance between detail and versatility. Ilford Delta 100 Pro is available in 35mm, 120 and 4x5 formats. 

Ilford FP4 Plus 125


One of Ilford’s most versatile films, FP4 Plus 125 encourages experimentation. While it’s rated to the fairly low ISO speed of 125, it can deliver useable results if overexposed by as much as six stops, or underexposed by two stops. Analogue photography is all about experimentation, so have fun and explore different techniques with this film. Ilford FP4 Plus 125 is available in 35mm, 120 and 4x5 formats.

Ilford SFX 200


This is a specialist film with extended red sensitivity for infra-red style shooting. When paired with a deep red filter, it renders blue skies as practically black. Ilford SFX 200 is available in 35mm format.

Ilford HP5 Plus 400


One of the most popular Ilford films, and one of the most popular black and white films full stop, this stock is hugely versatile and great in basically all shooting situations. Its ISO of 400 means it’s sensitive enough to use fast shutter speeds and work with available light, and its medium contrast is great for all sorts of subjects. If you’re new to Ilford film, we’d recommend starting here. Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is available in 35mm, 120 and 4x5 formats.

Ilford Delta 400


This professional, fine-grain film offers the same sensitivity as HP5, but with a little more detail for finer, more precise work. According to Ilford, this film offers the same level of detail as ISO 100 films, meaning you can shoot in a broader range of lighting situations without compromising on quality. Ilford Delta 400 is available in 35mm and 120 formats. 

Ilford XP2 Super (ISO 400)


This high-contrast, ISO 400 film has an ace up its sleeve – it can be processed using the same C41 process as colour films, making it much easier to process than most black and white films. It’s also great-looking, with a stylish grain and vivid contrast. Ilford XP2 Super is available in 35mm and 120 formats.

Ilford Delta 3200


With a super-high ISO, Ilford Delta 3200 is amazing for night photography and creating vivid, stylish monochrome images in low-light conditions. Ilford Delta 3200 is available in 35mm and 120 formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ilford film DX coded?

Yes. DX coding is an electronic system that allows a roll of film to communicate with a camera, meaning it can detect the ISO speed and how many exposures are in the roll. All new Ilford film is DX coded, so if your camera is a latter-era SLR with electronic components, it should be able to recognise it.

Where can I get Ilford film developed?

There are plenty of development labs around the UK that can develop your film – though you may need to check that they offer black and white development as well as colour, as it’s a different process.

Which Ilford film is best for beginners?

If you’re starting out on an analogue journey, we’d recommend using Ilford HP5 Plus 400 or Ilford FP4 Plus 125 in 35mm formats. These versatile film stocks produce useable results in a broad range of conditions.

Where is Ilford film made?

Ilford film is made right here in the UK! Specifically in the Ilford factory, which is near Mobberley in Cheshire.

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