Black-and-white film review
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 Review
The forgiving black-and-white film I would choose for street photography, travel and mixed light
I have shot HP5 on the streets of Mexico City with my Canon AE-1. It is the black-and-white film I reach for when the light may change and I want a negative that gives me room to work.
- Speed
- ISO 400
- Formats
- 35mm, 120 and sheet film
- Look
- Medium contrast, visible grain
The short answer
Who this film is for
- Best for
- Street, documentary, travel, available light and photographers learning black-and-white film
- Skip it if
- You want strong contrast straight from the negative or the cleanest, finest-grain black-and-white look
- My verdict
- HP5 is the more flexible choice when you would rather shape contrast later than commit to a harder look in the camera.
Current options
Where to buy it
35mm
A practical roll for everyday 35mm cameras
Check HP5 on Amazon →35mm and 120
Compare current formats and pack sizes
Check HP5 at B&H →See it in use
Street Photography on Film: Ilford HP5
Watch how I shoot Ilford HP5 on the streets of Mexico City.
The look
What to expect from the negative
Contrast
Moderate
HP5 starts flatter than Tri-X, which gives you more freedom when scanning or printing.
Grain
Classic and present
The grain is part of the character, but it does not overpower faces or everyday street scenes.
Latitude
Very forgiving
This is the reason I would choose HP5 when the light changes quickly or the exposure may not be perfect.
What Ilford HP5 looks like
Compared with Kodak Tri-X, HP5 gives me less contrast, gentler grain and pleasant mid-tones. That makes it a good all-round film rather than a stock that forces every photograph into the same dramatic look.
For street photography, that flexibility matters. One roll may move from bright sun to shade, portraits and evening light without changing the basic way I meter.
Pushing HP5 at night
HP5 is rated at ISO 400, but it is designed to respond well to push processing. Ilford publishes guidance for rating it as high as EI 3200 with extended development.
Pushing increases contrast and grain, so I would decide before the roll whether that harder night look suits the photographs. Tell the lab the exposure index you used.
Ilford HP5 vs Kodak Tri-X
I would choose HP5 for a mixed day of street photography and Tri-X when I want more contrast for portraits. Both are ISO 400 black-and-white films, but the starting character is different enough to make the choice visible.
Keep comparing
Compare HP5 with the other films I use
Kodak Tri-X 400
More contrast and a stronger starting point for black-and-white portraits.
Read the review →Kodak Portra 400
The color-negative alternative for portraits, travel and natural skin tones.
Read the review →Final verdict
Should you shoot Ilford HP5 Plus?
Yes, if you want one dependable black-and-white film for street photography, documentary work and changing light. I would start at box speed, learn how your lab or developer renders it, and only then experiment with pushing it.
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