The Ilford HP5 Plus is a black and white film. It is manufactured by the company Harman Technology Limited in Great Britain.
The sensitivity of the black and white film is specified as ISO 400. However, it can be pushed by a few stops. This makes it very versatile, for example, for shooting in low light, of moving subjects, but also for normal photography in everyday life.
The Ilford HP5 Plus must be processed in a normal black and white developer. The chemistry does not necessarily have to be made by Ilford, makes from Kodak, Adox, Foma, Rollei and Co. can also be used. As a developer, the manufacturer recommends Ilford ILFOTEC DD-X or ID-11 (stock) for the best results with the HP5 Plus. If you have exposed the film above ISO 1600, Ilford advises the ILFOTEC DD-X or Microphen (stock).
Formats
The Ilford HP5 Plus is available in various film formats. It is available, like all Ilford films, as 35mm film and as medium format film. It is also available as sheet film for large format cameras, and from time to time in exotic formats for custom order.
The 35mm film is coated on a 0.125mm/5-mil acetate base and comes in 24 or 36 exposure cassettes, as well as bulk lengths of 30.5 meters (100ft). The 35mm film is supplied in DX coded cassettes, making it compatible with all 35mm cameras. There is also a disposable camera filled with the film by Ilford.
The roll film is coated on a 0.110mm/4-mil clear acetate base with an anti-halation backing that clears during development. It is available in 120 lengths and is edge numbered from 1 to 19. Meanwhile, the sheet film is coated on a 0.180mm/7-mil polyester base with an anti-halation backing that also clears during development.
In addition to it, there is the Pan F Plus and the FP4 Plus.
Development times
Times for the development of the Ilford HP5 Plus.
| Developer | Dilution | ISO | Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 400 | 7:30 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | 1+1 | ISO 400 | 11 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | 1+3 | ISO 400 | 22 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 800 | 9:30 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | 1+1 | ISO 800 | 13 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 1600 | 12:30 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | Stock | ISO 400 | 7:30 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | 1+1 | ISO 400 | 13 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | 1+3 | ISO 400 | 20 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | Stock | ISO 800 | 10:30 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | 1+1 | ISO 800 | 16:30 min | 20 °C |
| ID-11 | Stock | ISO 1600 | 14 min | 20 °C |
| ILFOTEC DD-X | 1+4 | ISO 400 | 9 min | 20 °C |
| ILFOTEC DD-X | 1+4 | ISO 800 | 10 min | 20 °C |
| ILFOTEC DD-X | 1+4 | ISO 1600 | 13 min | 20 °C |
| ILFOTEC DD-X | 1+4 | ISO 3200 | 20 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | Stock | ISO 400 | 6:30 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | 1+1 | ISO 400 | 12 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | 1+3 | ISO 400 | 23 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | Stock | ISO 800 | 8 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | 1+1 | ISO 800 | 15 min | 20 °C |
| Microphen | Stock | ISO 1600 | 11 min | 20 °C |
| Rodinal | 1+25 | ISO 400 | 6 min | 20 °C |
| Rodinal | 1+50 | ISO 400 | 11 min | 20 °C |
| Rodinal | 1+25 | ISO 800 | 8 min | 20 °C |
| Silverchrome Pandol | 1+4 | ISO 400 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | Stock | ISO 400 | 8 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | 1+1 | ISO 400 | 12 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | Stock | ISO 800 | 11 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | 1+1 | ISO 800 | 17 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | Stock | ISO 1600 | 14 min | 20 °C |
Calculation of the development solution
| Dilution | Developer (ml) | Water (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 500 | 0 |
| 1+1 | 250 | 250 |
| 1+3 | 125 | 375 |
| 1+4 | 100 | 400 |
| 1+25 | 19 | 481 |
| 1+50 | 10 | 490 |
Tilt rhythm: tilt the first 10 seconds 4x, then tilt the first 10 seconds of a minute 4 times.
Source: Ilford
Special Edition of the film for the 145th anniversary
Ilford is celebrating its 145th anniversary with a limited edition of its popular black and white films HP5 Plus and FP4 Plus in retro packaging. The special edition, to be launched in September 2024, is a tribute to the company's long history and its significant role in the world of analogue photography.
The history of Ilford began in 1879 when Alfred Hugh Harman founded the "Britannia Works Company" in his basement in Ilford, Great Britain. In 1902 the company was renamed "Ilford Limited" and began producing photographic plates. In 1912 Ilford switched to producing film rolls and in the following decades developed into one of the leading manufacturers of photographic materials.
Despite the digital age, Ilford remained true to analogue photography and continues to produce films, papers and chemicals at its factory in Cheshire. The limited edition of the HP5 Plus and FP4 Plus films in the retro look of the 50s and 60s is available in both 35mm and 120mm format.
Sample photos
The pictures shown were taken with a Kiev 60 with an 80 mm f/2.8. The Ilford HP5 was already 4 years old at the time of exposure. The film was developed with Adox Atomal 49 developer. The film was developed at 21 degrees for 9 minutes. The developer was used as a stock solution.
