Ilford XP2 Super vs Kodak 400CN?

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Ilford XP2 Super or Kodak 400CN?

Anybody tried both? Thoughts, experiences?

I just thought I might like to have a couple of rolls in my bag for when I can't be arsed to process real b&w.

I did try quite a lot of XP1 about 25 years ago but was never really convinced.
 
Vaguely recall using the Kodak film once, but was always an Ilford user so XP2 was the logical step. The Ag Photographic website offers these words if that's any help?

Ilford XP2 SUPER is a black and white film which can be processed in colour, C41, process - this is the most common "high street" process offered but the likes of Boots, Tesco etc. As a result of the way the image is formed, XP2 offers sharp, fast and fine, smooth, grained black and white negatives It can be used for any photographic subject, but ensures excellent results when there is a wide subject brightness range. The film yields high contrast negatives and has an extremely wide exposure latitude making it suitable for use in varied lighting conditions. The beauty of XP-2 over other C41 process black and white films, is that it is optimised for optical exposure in the darkroom. If you have this film printed at your local mini-lab, ask them to get the filtration right to obtain a neutral image tone, and the results can be excellent.
 
I really like Ilford film and mainly shoot HP5 but I have also used a lot of XP2 and indeed XP before. The ease of a C41 mini lab, particularly when travelling is very attractive. About a year ago I bought some OOD CN400 and tried it out. I have to say that I really love it and have shifted to this emulsion for C41 monochrome. It is hard to define exactly why and these things are very personal but I just prefer the tones and feel of the Kodak emulsion.
 
having used both, I marginally preferred the XP2

When developed the XP2 comes out looking almost like "normal" B&W film, whereas the 400CN is on a yellow/brown base, much the same as typical C41 process colour film. Personally, I found it easier to get a decent scan at home from the XP2 as my scanning routine involved scanning in colour and reduction to B&W in post. The XP2 was pretty much the same as working with normal B&W film, with maybe a slight purple tinge, where the 400CN had an extra stage of yellow base removal.

When I started back on film, I bought a couple of rolls of the 3 chromagenic B&W's (XP2, 400CN and fuji Neopan 400CN) of the 3, I couldn't tell the diifference between the ilford or fuji, but didn't really like the kodak. So, I bought 10 rolls of the XP2, it being cheaper at the time.

Shortly after I started developing my own film, and frankly, the XP2's been pretty much relegated to "stick it in the camera bag if you go on holiday and want shots while you are away"... primarily, I have to say, because I tend to prefer lower ISO films :shrug:
 
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