Ilford HP5 Plus

Ilford HP5 Plus is one of the most trusted black & white films around, a genuine favourite with professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone picking up a camera for the first time. Its nominal ISO of 400 makes it a flexible choice across a wide range of lighting conditions, so it holds up well for street, documentary, portrait, and landscape work alike.

What sets HP5 Plus apart is the combination of fine grain and high acutance, which is what gives black and white images that crisp, well-defined edge between light and dark. Paired with rich tonality, this gives you plenty of room to shape the final image, both behind the camera and later in the darkroom. It's forgiving enough for a first roll, and characterful enough that experienced hands keep coming back to it.

If you're new to black & white, this is a dependable place to start. If you already know your way around a darkroom, you'll find plenty here to keep exploring with.