Ilford FP4 Plus is a medium-speed black and white film with fine grain and smooth tones, while HP5 Plus is a faster, more flexible film with more visible grain. Choose FP4 Plus for good light and finer detail, and HP5 Plus when light is changing or you need faster shutter speeds.
What Each Film Is For
FP4 Plus has a box speed of ISO 125 and has long been used for portraits, landscapes, and travel. HP5 Plus has a box speed of ISO 400 and has been a go-to for street, documentary, and event work. Both use traditional grain structures and both are sold in 35mm and 120, with HP5 Plus also offered in sheet film. Confirm the current list on the maker’s page.
Key Differences
| Trait | FP4 Plus | HP5 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Box speed | ISO 125 | ISO 400 |
| Grain | Fine | Moderate, more visible |
| Best light | Bright to moderate | Bright to dim |
| Typical use | Portraits, landscapes, travel | Street, events, documentary |
| Pushing | Possible, less common | Common and well documented |
What the Speed Difference Means
The gap between 125 and 400 is a bit under two stops. That means HP5 Plus lets you use a shutter speed roughly three times faster, or a smaller aperture for more depth of field, in the same light. If you shoot handheld in shade, indoors, or at dusk, that margin matters. In bright sun or on a tripod, the extra speed of HP5 Plus is not needed, and FP4 Plus gives you finer grain for the same scene.
Practical Differences
- Enlargements: FP4 Plus holds up well in larger prints because the grain is finer.
- Flexibility: HP5 Plus handles a wide range of conditions and can be pushed a stop or two when light falls.
- Tone: Both have a classic, smooth tonal response. HP5 Plus often looks a little grittier.
- Development: Both work with standard developers. Use the maker’s data sheet as your first reference, and adjust to your own taste.
How to Choose
- List the light you shoot in most. If it is mostly bright, try FP4 Plus.
- If you shoot indoors, in shade, or handheld at dusk, try HP5 Plus.
- If you only want one film in your bag, HP5 Plus covers more ground.
- Shoot a roll of each in the same scene and compare scans at the same size.
FAQ
Can I shoot HP5 Plus at a slower speed for finer grain?
You can expose it at a lower index, and it will give a bit more shadow detail, but its grain will not match a slower film. Test it and adjust development as needed.
Which film suits street photography?
Many street photographers choose HP5 Plus for its speed and latitude. FP4 Plus works too on bright days when you can use a faster shutter speed anyway.
The Short Version
Choose FP4 Plus for finer grain in good light, and HP5 Plus for flexibility in changing light. Confirm current formats and data on the maker’s page.
