Black-and-white photographic film Ilford FP4 PLUS (medium-speed panchromatic B/W film)

Ilford FP4 PLUS is a medium-speed panchromatic black-and-white photographic film designed for general-purpose photography. Rated at ISO 125, this film delivers very fine grain, high sharpness and wide tonal range, making it suitable for portraits, landscapes, documentary work and subjects with fine detail. Available in 35mm, 120 roll and sheet formats, FP4 PLUS is intended for standard darkroom development and modern scanning workflows, offering robust exposure tolerance that helps retain detail across varied lighting conditions.

Advantages

FP4 PLUS combines fine grain and high acutance to produce images that enlarge well while keeping excellent detail. The film's medium speed and wide exposure latitude permit reliable results across different lighting situations and development approaches. Its panchromatic sensitivity reproduces a balanced tonal scale and textured midtones, and compatibility with common black-and-white developers and scanning equipment integrates easily into both analog and hybrid workflows.

Suitable for

• Portraits where skin tones and fine detail must be preserved
• Landscape photography requiring wide tonal range and sharpness
• Documentary and street photography with varied lighting
• Fine art and large-format work that demand high enlargement quality

Key specifications

• ISO sensitivity: 125 (medium speed)
• Grain structure: very fine grain for high detail
• Tonal response: broad tonal range with high acutance
• Exposure latitude: wide tolerance for over- and under-exposure
• Formats: 35mm, 120 roll film, sheet film
• Processing: standard black-and-white darkroom development and scanning compatible

How to use

Load FP4 PLUS into your camera according to the chosen format (35mm, 120 or sheet). Meter and set exposure around ISO 125 for nominal results, or adjust based on creative intent; the film tolerates moderate deviations from the nominal ISO. Develop using a standard black-and-white developer and follow recommended times for your chosen developer and agitation method. After development, fix, wash and dry negatives thoroughly before printing or scanning. For sheet film, handle under appropriate safelight conditions and use recommended development trays or holders.

Usage recommendations

For optimum sharpness and minimal visible grain, use fine-grain developers and moderate development times; for increased contrast or push processing, adjust development times accordingly and test prior to critical shoots. When scanning, use a high-resolution scanner and proper dust and scratch removal procedures to preserve the film's detail. Store unexposed and processed film in cool, dry conditions to maintain quality.