Hey guys! Let's dive into the fascinating world of Ilford black and white 35mm film. If you're into photography, especially the classic, timeless feel of monochrome images, then you've probably heard of Ilford. This brand has been a staple in the photography world for ages, known for its quality, consistency, and the unique character it brings to black and white photos. In this article, we’ll explore why Ilford 35mm film is so beloved, what makes it special, and how you can get the most out of it for your own photography projects. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. So grab your camera, load up some Ilford film, and let's get started!

Why Choose Ilford Black and White Film?

When it comes to black and white photography, Ilford stands out for several compelling reasons. First off, the image quality is top-notch. Ilford films are known for their fine grain, excellent sharpness, and beautiful tonal range. This means your photos will have rich blacks, bright whites, and a smooth gradient of grays in between, giving them a professional and polished look. The dynamic range is also superb, allowing you to capture a wide range of light and shadow detail in a single frame. This is particularly useful in challenging lighting conditions where you need to balance highlights and shadows effectively. Beyond the technical aspects, Ilford film has a certain character that's hard to replicate with digital photography. There's a classic, almost nostalgic quality to the images, with a unique grain structure that adds texture and depth. Many photographers appreciate this distinctive look, as it lends a timeless feel to their work. Ilford offers a wide range of film stocks, each with its own unique characteristics. Whether you're looking for an ultra-fine grain film for portraits or a high-speed film for low-light shooting, there's an Ilford film that will suit your needs. Some popular options include Ilford HP5 Plus, known for its versatility and forgiving nature, and Ilford Delta 100, which delivers incredibly fine grain and sharpness. Finally, Ilford has a long and storied history in the photography world. The company has been around for over a century, and its films have been used by countless photographers to capture some of the most iconic images in history. When you shoot with Ilford film, you're not just taking a photo; you're becoming part of a legacy.

Popular Ilford 35mm Film Stocks

Okay, let's get into some of the specific Ilford 35mm film stocks that you should know about. Each one has its own unique characteristics and is suited for different types of photography. Knowing these differences can help you choose the right film for your project and achieve the results you're looking for.

Ilford HP5 Plus

First up, we have Ilford HP5 Plus. This is arguably the most popular and versatile film in the Ilford lineup. It's a high-speed film, rated at ISO 400, which makes it great for shooting in a variety of lighting conditions. Whether you're shooting outdoors in daylight or indoors under artificial light, HP5 Plus will deliver consistent results. One of the things that makes HP5 Plus so popular is its forgiving nature. It's very tolerant of overexposure and underexposure, which means you can still get usable images even if your exposure isn't perfect. This makes it a great choice for beginners who are still learning the ropes of film photography. HP5 Plus has a classic grain structure that adds a nice texture to your images. It's not too fine, and it's not too coarse, striking a good balance between sharpness and character. This film is also known for its excellent push processing capabilities. You can easily push it to ISO 800, 1600, or even 3200 without losing too much quality. This makes it a great choice for shooting in very low light situations where you need to maximize your camera's sensitivity. Overall, Ilford HP5 Plus is a fantastic all-around film that's suitable for a wide range of subjects and shooting styles. Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, street photography, or anything in between, HP5 Plus will deliver beautiful black and white images with a classic look.

Ilford Delta 100

Next, let's talk about Ilford Delta 100. This is a medium-speed film, rated at ISO 100, which makes it ideal for shooting in bright, sunny conditions or when you want to use a shallow depth of field. Delta 100 is known for its incredibly fine grain and exceptional sharpness. If you're looking for a film that will capture every detail in your scene, this is the one to choose. The fine grain of Delta 100 makes it a great choice for portraits, landscapes, and architectural photography. It allows you to capture intricate details without the distraction of excessive grain. This film also has a very smooth tonal range, which means your images will have a beautiful gradient of grays from black to white. This is particularly important for portraits, where you want to capture subtle variations in skin tone. Delta 100 is a bit less forgiving than HP5 Plus when it comes to exposure. It's important to get your exposure right, or you may end up with images that are too dark or too light. However, with a little practice, you can easily master the art of exposing Delta 100 correctly. Overall, Ilford Delta 100 is a fantastic film for photographers who demand the highest possible image quality. If you're willing to put in the extra effort to get your exposure right, you'll be rewarded with stunning black and white images that are sharp, detailed, and full of character.

Ilford XP2 Super

Finally, let's discuss Ilford XP2 Super. This is a unique film in the Ilford lineup because it's a chromogenic black and white film. This means it can be processed in C-41 chemistry, which is the same chemistry used to develop color negative films. One of the biggest advantages of XP2 Super is that it can be processed at any photo lab that develops color film. This makes it much more convenient than traditional black and white films, which require special processing. XP2 Super has a very fine grain and excellent sharpness, similar to Delta 100. It also has a wide dynamic range, which means it can capture a lot of detail in both the highlights and the shadows. This film has a slightly different look than traditional black and white films. It tends to have a bit more contrast and a slightly warmer tone. Some photographers love this look, while others prefer the more neutral tone of traditional black and white films. XP2 Super is a great choice for photographers who want the convenience of C-41 processing without sacrificing image quality. It's also a good option for photographers who are new to black and white film photography, as it's easier to develop than traditional black and white films. Overall, Ilford XP2 Super is a versatile and convenient film that delivers excellent results. Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or street photography, XP2 Super will help you capture stunning black and white images with a unique look.

Tips for Shooting with Ilford 35mm Film

Alright, now that we've covered some of the popular Ilford 35mm film stocks, let's talk about some tips for getting the most out of them. Shooting with film is a bit different than shooting with digital, so it's important to keep a few things in mind.

Metering

First and foremost, metering is crucial when shooting with film. Unlike digital cameras, film doesn't have the ability to adjust the ISO after you've taken the shot. This means you need to make sure your exposure is correct before you press the shutter button. There are a few different ways to meter for film. You can use a handheld light meter, which is the most accurate method. You can also use the built-in meter in your camera, or you can use a smartphone app. No matter which method you choose, it's important to understand how your meter works and how to interpret its readings. When metering for black and white film, it's generally a good idea to err on the side of overexposure. Black and white film tends to handle overexposure better than underexposure, so it's better to have a slightly brighter image than a slightly darker one. However, be careful not to overexpose too much, or you'll lose detail in the highlights. Another important tip is to meter for the most important part of your scene. For example, if you're shooting a portrait, meter for the subject's face. If you're shooting a landscape, meter for the sky or the foreground, depending on which is more important to you. By metering carefully, you can ensure that your images are properly exposed and that you capture all the detail you want.

Development

Next up, let's talk about development. Developing your own film can be a rewarding experience, but it's also a bit of a science. You need to be precise with your measurements and follow the instructions carefully. If you're not comfortable developing your own film, you can always send it to a professional lab. However, developing your own film gives you more control over the final look of your images. You can choose different developers, dilutions, and development times to achieve different effects. For example, you can use a high-contrast developer to create images with a lot of punch, or you can use a low-contrast developer to create images with a more subtle look. You can also adjust the development time to fine-tune the contrast and density of your images. If you're new to film development, it's a good idea to start with a simple developer like Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11. These developers are easy to use and produce consistent results. It's also important to use fresh chemicals and to follow the instructions carefully. Film development is a skill that takes time and practice to master, but it's well worth the effort. By developing your own film, you can unlock a whole new level of creative control over your photography.

Storage

Finally, let's talk about storage. Film is sensitive to heat, humidity, and light, so it's important to store it properly. Unexposed film should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. You can store it in the refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life. Exposed film should also be stored in a cool, dry place, but it's important to process it as soon as possible. The longer you wait to develop your film, the more likely it is that the images will degrade. Once your film has been developed, you can store it in archival-quality sleeves or binders. This will protect it from dust, scratches, and other damage. It's also a good idea to label your film with the date, location, and subject matter. This will make it easier to find your images later on. By storing your film properly, you can ensure that your images will last for generations to come.

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! Ilford black and white 35mm film is a fantastic choice for photographers who want to capture timeless, classic images. With its wide range of film stocks, excellent image quality, and long history, Ilford has something to offer everyone. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, I encourage you to give Ilford film a try. Load up your camera, head out into the world, and start capturing some beautiful black and white images. You might just discover a new favorite film!