Ilford XP2 Super 24 Exposure 35mm Film

Kiwi Paul

Kiwi Paul

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Ilford XP2 Super 24 Exposure 35mm Film
This B&W film is developed using the C41 process, I already do my own C41 developing for colour negs so I'm curious to try this out, has anyone used it?
 
I used XP1 and XP2 many year ago. These films use dyes coupled to the latent silver halide image. Given it is for B&W, they do not need the more complex layers required for colour. The over all effect is lower grain higher ISO. It was also convenient because I was also processing colour negatives so could use the same chemicals for both. Certainly XP2 was my favourite B&W film but I am sure that many traditionalist will dislike it for various reasons. I used to dislike grainy images.

Dave
 
Dave Canon said:
I used XP1 and XP2 many year ago. These films use dyes coupled to the latent silver halide image. Given it is for B&W, they do not need the more complex layers required for colour. The over all effect is lower grain higher ISO. It was also convenient because I was also processing colour negatives so could use the same chemicals for both. Certainly XP2 was my favourite B&W film but I am sure that many traditionalist will dislike it for various reasons. I used to dislike grainy images.

Dave
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Thanks Dave,

I guess there's only one way to find out and give it a try.

Paul
 
I've just bought two rolls, I and I wanted something I could get processed quickly (same day) as it will be going in a new to me camera and I'll be on holiday, and I will want to know if camera is borked before I fill it with Portra400!!!
 
It's fine. Especially for a quick test run... I used it a lot on deployments where only C-41 minilabs were available.
Quality will depend on the minilab used and how diligent the operator is in maintaining the chemistry.
Don't expect great scans from minilabs though... even the 'hi-res' option is poor compared to home scanning.
 
Arkady001 said:
It's fine. Especially for a quick test run... I used it a lot on deployments where only C-41 minilabs were available.
Quality will depend on the minilab used and how diligent the operator is in maintaining the chemistry.
Don't expect great scans from minilabs though... even the 'hi-res' option is poor compared to home scanning.
Click to expand...

No I'd get small prinbts done, I'll scan the negs when I come back - just want to make sure camera works - If I get a chance to do it before I go I will.
 
Kiwi Paul said:
Ilford XP2 Super 24 Exposure 35mm Film
This B&W film is developed using the C41 process, I already do my own C41 developing for colour negs so I'm curious to try this out, has anyone used it?
Click to expand...
In case you haven't seen this:
www.ilfordphoto.com

XP2 SUPER 35mm

35mm, ISO 400, fine grain, highly versatile black & white film that can be processed on the high street (in C41 chemistry). High speed ISO 400 B&W film using colour C41 processing Wide exposure latitude and well defined highlights 35mm, 120 Roll and Single Use Cameras available
www.ilfordphoto.com www.ilfordphoto.com
 
mstphoto said:
I used it a lot back in the film days.
I either got a sepia or a green cast from my lab developed photos
Click to expand...
Yup, since they're printing on colour paper and most operators couldn't be bothered to go into the Minilab printer settings and change them for one roll of film. The Fuji Frontier actually does a pretty decent job of it on Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper if you tweak the settings. You can save them as a preset for customers who regularly use XP-2.
 
i regularly use it but 'Most' of mine is outdated so I downrate it to 250 ASA -- it gives good results -- I was GIVEN a FRESH 35mm 24Exp cassette by a Camera Club member which I keep in the Fridge for a 'Special Occasion Photo = Opportunity' !!
Feb 2007 dated XP2 400 Super 120 size in my 1950's British 'Ensign Selfix' 16/20 Model I with 75mm f4.5 'Ensar' lens at f5.6
 

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pentaxpete said:
i regularly use it but 'Most' of mine is outdated so I downrate it to 250 ASA -- it gives good results -- I was GIVEN a FRESH 35mm 24Exp cassette by a Camera Club member which I keep in the Fridge for a 'Special Occasion Photo = Opportunity' !!
Feb 2007 dated XP2 400 Super 120 size in my 1950's British 'Ensign Selfix' 16/20 Model I with 75mm f4.5 'Ensar' lens at f5.6
Click to expand...
I have a couple of mates who would sell their kids for that landy...
 
Thanks for the replies folks, I'll definitely be giving it a try
 
I used to shoot it quite a bit - it scans really well and the auto dust removal works on it. Great exposure latitude and a no-brainer alternative IMO.
 
I also use XP2 quite often. I prefer to shoot it at 200 ISO in sunny lighting conditions as I find the shadows don't block up, but use it at the box rated 400 ISO in cloudy/dull conditions. The advantage with XP2 is that you can do this on the same roll of film, and just get it developed as normal (400 ISO). So it's a handy black and white film to have if you are shooting in mixed lighting conditions and think you might 'top out' on shutter speed if the sun comes out. If so, just switch the meter to 200 ISO and carry on shooting!

I find detail and tone nice enough too, as this home scanned 6×4.5 shot on 120 XP2 roll film (taken on a 1950s Ensign Selfix 1620 folding camera) shows (click on the image to view it at a larger size on Flickr).

 
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I shot a lot of XP and XP2 back in the day. When there were lots of 1 hour labs you could get the results back pretty sharpish. I haven't used it for some years, but my recollection was that XP2 was even better than XP. It had great latitude and nice grain. I also liked and used Kodak's long discontinued BW400CN which was also a chromogenic film for processing in C41 chemicals. Long story short, shoot away, I doubt you will be disappointed! The image below is an old one on first generation XP

XP2 Browsers on the Thams.jpg
 
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