There is something uniquely rewarding about creating photographs on film. Every frame counts, every exposure is deliberate, and the anticipation of seeing your images emerge from the developing tank or lab is an experience that has captivated photographers for generations.

Choosing Black & White Film

​

One of the first decisions you'll make as a film photographer is choosing which film to load into your camera. Unlike digital cameras, where you can change ISO or colour settings between shots, the characteristics of your images are largely determined by the film you choose before you begin shooting.

​

Black and white films each have their own personality. They differ in speed (ISO), grain, contrast, sharpness, tonal range, and how they respond to different developers. While experimenting is part of the fun, understanding the basics will help you select the right film for your subject and shooting conditions.

​

Understanding Film Speed (ISO)

Film speed, or ISO, indicates how sensitive a film is to light.

​

ISO 100–125

Ideal for bright sunny days and landscapes.

Advantages

• Very fine grain

• Excellent sharpness

• Smooth tonal transitions

• High image quality

Best for

• Landscapes

• Architecture

• Studio photography

• Tripod work

Popular examples:

• Ilford FP4 Plus 125

• Foma Fomapan 100

• Kodak T-Max 100

​

ISO 400

ISO 400 is the most versatile choice and is often recommended for beginners.

Advantages

• Works well in most lighting conditions

• Good balance between grain and sharpness

• Suitable for handheld photography

• Easy to develop consistently

Best for

• Street photography

• Portraits

• Travel

• General everyday photography

Popular examples:

• Ilford HP5 Plus 400

• Kodak Tri-X 400

• Kentmere PAN 400

• Foma Fomapan 400

​

ISO 3200

Designed for low-light situations where faster shutter speeds are needed.

Advantages

• Excellent in dim light

• Allows handheld photography indoors

• Characteristic coarse grain

Best for

• Concerts

• Night photography

• Indoor events

• Documentary work

Popular examples:

• Ilford Delta 3200

• Kodak T-Max P3200

​

Grain

Grain is made up of the silver particles that form the image during development.

Fine-grained films produce smooth images with excellent detail, making them ideal for landscapes and large prints.

Coarser-grained films have a more traditional film appearance and are often favoured for street photography and documentary work because they add texture and character.

Remember that grain also depends on the developer, development time, and scanning or printing method.

​

Contrast

Different films naturally produce different levels of contrast.

Low contrast films preserve detail in both highlights and shadows, making them easier to print or edit later.

Higher contrast films create punchier images with deeper blacks and brighter whites, often giving photographs a more dramatic appearance.

Lighting also plays a major role in contrast, so the same film can produce very different results depending on the conditions.

​

Traditional Grain vs T-Grain Films

Modern black and white films generally fall into two categories.

​

Traditional Grain Films

These have a classic look with visible grain and forgiving exposure latitude.

Examples:

• Ilford HP5 Plus

• Kodak Tri-X

• Ilford FP4 Plus

These films are excellent for learning and remain favourites among experienced photographers.

​

T-Grain Films

These use tabular grain technology to produce finer grain and exceptional sharpness.

Examples:

• Kodak T-Max 100

• Kodak T-Max 400

• Ilford Delta 100

• Ilford Delta 400

T-Grain films are ideal when maximum detail and smooth tones are desired.

​

Exposure Latitude

Some films are more forgiving if your exposure is slightly incorrect.

For beginners, films such as Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak Tri-X are excellent choices because they tolerate overexposure well while still producing attractive negatives.

Films with narrower exposure latitude require more accurate metering but reward careful technique with exceptional image quality.

​

Pushing and Pulling Film

Many photographers adjust development to suit different shooting conditions.

Pushing means exposing the film at a higher ISO than its box speed and increasing development time. This allows shooting in lower light but usually increases grain and contrast.

Pulling means exposing the film at a lower ISO and reducing development time. This generally produces finer grain and softer contrast.

Not every film responds equally well, but HP5 Plus and Tri-X are particularly well known for their flexibility.

​

Recommended Films for Beginners

If you're just starting home developing, these films are excellent choices:

​

• Ilford HP5 Plus - 400 Extremely forgiving, versatile and easy to develop

• Kentmere PAN - 400 Affordable with excellent results

• Ilford FP4 Plus 125 - Superb detail and fine grain for daylight photography

• Fomapan 100 - Excellent value with a traditional look

• Kodak Tri-X 400 - Classic grain and outstanding tonal range

​

Which Film Should You Choose?

If you're unsure where to begin:

• First roll: Kentmere PAN 400

• Most versatile: Ilford HP5 Plus 400

• Best image quality: Ilford FP4 Plus 125

• Classic documentary look: Kodak Tri-X 400

• Best value: Fomapan 100 or Fomapan 400

• Lowest light: Ilford Delta 3200

​

Final Thoughts

There is no single "best" black and white film. Every emulsion has its own character, and much of the enjoyment comes from experimenting with different combinations of film, developer, and shooting style.

A great way to learn is to choose one film such as Ilford HP5 Plus 400 and shoot several rolls under different lighting conditions before trying another. As you become familiar with its behaviour, you'll gain confidence in both exposure and development, making it easier to appreciate the unique qualities that each film has to offer.

​

​