Comparing Ilford Black and White Film: HP5 Plus and Delta 400

Having predominantly used colour film for a few years, and with the ever increase in film prices, I thought it might be a good time to compare some black and white films in hopes of maybe trying to be most cost conscious.
Ilford's HP5 Plus has always been my go to black and white film stock, however I thought I would see what the difference was with Ilford's Delta400.
FILM USED:
Ilford HP5 Plus
Ilford Delta 400
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#ilford #mediumformat #120

[@eltinjones4542]

Yes either would work

[@Alberto-hj7jp]

Really like this one, this is how comparison should be made

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Cheers. I wanted it to be more on face value without getting too bogged down in technical information.

[@stivensbanks]

Thank you so much. This is a perfect video, mate I can't say any word but perfect. I usually use the PAN 400, but the Delta and HP5 are almost the same price, so I thought I'd see the difference between the two before buying. I couldn't have found another better video for comparison. Again, thank you very much

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@walkwithvictor]

Thank you for your video, it was very instructive (and you have a great voice!)

[@chesslover8829]

Nick, I love your video, so professional and very useful too! In medium format, the difference between HP5+ and Delta 400 is small. I had trouble telling the difference between the images. If pressed, I would say, tone-wise, that the HP5+ images, because of their cubic grain structure, give the appearance of slightly more substance and atmosphere to the pictures over the Delta 400 images. Of course, Delta 400 has a little more sharpness, acutance, and finer grain than HP5+.

[@user-gx3ji2dr7x]

Well done Nick. Nice comparison keeping variables constrained.

[@ElliotShayle]

It's very good to finally see some side by side comparisons being done properly! But here's my question: since you're shooting medium format (lots of detail, relatively smaller grain in the final image), on a Hasselblad (the sharpest cameras out there), could it not just be the case that the rest of your setup was too good to see the difference 😅? Like, maybe at 35mm where grain is usually more noticeable, you'd see different sharpness characteristics between the 2 film stocks.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

That could be true, though the other side of that argument could be that using such equipment takes out any flaws from being influenced, allowing the film itself to show their individuality.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the comparison! Back when Kodak declared bankruptcy, I looked for a 400 ISO black & white film to replace the Tri-X that I had been using. I performed tests similar to yours on Ilford HP5 Plus, Ilford Delta 400, and Fomapan 400. I selected Ilford HP5 Plus, but I do not remember the reasons why.

[@PeckhamHall]

I'm thing of getting some Fomapan bulk film rolls. I've not done any photography for years. What's your thoughts on Fomapan film in general?

[@Narsuitus]

@@PeckhamHall I cannot comment on Fomapan in general. I can, however, comment on FomaPan 100 specifically. FomaPan 100 is my first choice for high quality 120 medium format and 4x5 inch large format black and white film.

[@PeckhamHall]

@@Narsuitus thanks you for your reply, I found a retailer that sells Fomapan 120 for £2.99 and £2.79 if you have 50 rolls, plus £1 a metre for 35mm, this is before adding 20% U.K tax, but it's still 25% cheaper than Ilford or more. Other than close portraits I think it looks great and doesn't get good a nough reviews on KZbin just people complaining about bad rolls of film which probably they have not developed correctly. Yes going to get 6 rolls of everything 120 and 4 of every 135mm plus 17 metre of each 35mm. To start trying. Any advice on developing regarding which chemical's to use, or haven't you any one type you use mainly for Fomapan 100? Regards, James

[@Narsuitus]

@@PeckhamHall Before I started mixing my own developer, I used Kodak D76. Now, I develop all my black & white film in a custom two-bath buffered developer that I mix from eight chemicals.

[@TheDoctorPhotographer]

Well done!

[@richardsimms251]

Very, very well done presentation. Thank you. RS. Canada

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you!!

[@bubuche1886]

Thanks for the video. Out of curiosity, have you also tried scanning negatives with silverfast but using their respective film profiles?

[@randallstewart175]

My own experience is with HP-5 and not with Delta. I am surprised, based on general reputation for the films and their technologies, that there is not more difference between the two. I was planning on testing Delta and adjusting it for my developer, but now I think not. While this is done with more thought and control than the vast majority of such YT film comparisons, the Delta is clearly more or "over" developed relative to the HP-5, thus the overall higher contrast. This pushes or lightens the mid- and higher tones a bit, making a direct comparison quite difficult as to tonality. The denser shadow areas of HP-5 suggest that it is a bit slower. Thanks for the effort put in and the information provided here.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks for comment, that was well thought out. I guess my approach to developing is based on my own experience, even if it's not rigid and stringently measured in it's process, but I hope it shows that an average person's approach still sheds some light on the results of the film

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Just, checked out the prices between the two films. 35mm is quite a difference. 120 not so bad. I'll be lucky to be shooting film at all soon at the rate it's going. Maybe a good time to give Kentmere 400 a try out!

[@rogerburgner6325]

Wow, these films are surprisingly similar. More similar than I expected. There were passages I liked better (slightly) in each film. One area that stood out to me was the distant grayish foliage in the first image, kinda on the right. I felt the middle tones in the HP5 had more detail to my eye. And also in the same image the sky as rendered by HP5, while a bit grainy, had more tonal variations to add interest.

[@Raumweiter]

Great, thank you

[@steveh1273]

I assume you used 400 ISO, and Ilford's recommended development time and DDX dilution for each. I perfer the HP5 for it's tonal gradation. More videos coming?

[@cjmarshall3642]

Name on the tripod you use for your hasselblad?

[@peebrain69]

Thanks for the comparison. Just curious if there was any difference in the base film color(?).

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Not that I could tell, but Ilford would have to answer that for a definitive answer maybe?

[@GirdHerd]

I came to the same conclusion. I could be happy shooting either one.

[@jamescassell4143]

great video! thank you so much :')

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@mynewcolour]

About as good a comparison as is practical. Thanks. I’d love to see how each push to 1600 in Xtol (or the much more available Adox XT-3 or Bellini EcoFilm Developer)

[@Andresen.]

Funny how HP5 is more contrasty than Delta, although Delta should be way more contrasty. Almost like the left image should be Delta with smaler latitude and higher contrast :) Nice comparison!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks, glad it helped. Both film stocks are great.

[@Vincent171090]

Great comparison!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Wiencourager]

I really love HP5. I always shoot it at 800 and develop in Diafine.

[@NunoAlmeidaPhotography]

Hey Nick! Definitely a nice comparison video. I haven't shot Ilford in quite some time now, but I remember switching from HP5 to Delta 400 because I thought it was a bit sharper and not as flat looking.

[@NickSmithPhoto]

I definitely won't disregard Delta like I would have done in the past. I really wish I had access to a dark room to get the 'real' true comparison of both films, as I imagine that's were you really get to see the versatility of Ilford film.

[@NunoAlmeidaPhotography]

@@NickSmithPhoto Yeah, definitely!

[@xMiiDNiTe]

nice vid

[@NickSmithPhoto]

Thanks

[@dennyoconnor8680]

I prefer the HP5 And you needed a medium yellow filter on the camera.

[@starckwest6358]

hp5+ like to be push to 800asa

[@Obiwankinobi]

Так быстро болтает что ничего понять невозможно

[@NickSmithPhoto]

You could reduce the playback speed on the video

[@Obiwankinobi]

@@NickSmithPhoto ни понимаю по заморски

[@jacovanlith5082]

No need to use a spotmeter. Where is your cable relese. Rotating the crank for film advancing and cocking the shutter will be normal. P R O F E S S I O N A L does not excist.

[@mynewcolour]

Wat?