Ilford FP4 Review & Sample Images - A True Classic
- csshop0
- Nov 7
- 2 min read
Ilford FP4 may just be one of the most popular black and white films on the market. A long standing film that delivers, and is available at a good price point which makes it attractive to both hobbyists, and professionals.
We're huge fans of Ilford FP4 at FilmProcessing, with our own co-founder Sarah who has been shooting on it since the 80's!
Not sure if it's the film for you? Here's a full review and overview of the film, with plenty of sample images to see for yourself!
Ilford FP4 Review & Sample Images
Ilford FP4 Plus Overview
Feature | Details |
Film Type | Black and White Negative Film |
Film Format | Available in 35mm, 120, and large format |
ISO Speed | 125 |
Grain | Very Fine |
Contrast | Medium |
Latitude | Wide – excellent for overexposure and underexposure |
Ideal For | Portraits, landscapes, architecture, and studio work |
Processing | Standard B&W processing |
Push/Pull Flexibility | Can be pushed to ISO 200 or pulled to ISO 64 with great results |
Look | Smooth tonality, sharp details, and classic monochrome character |
Image Quality and Tonality
FP4 Plus is known for its beautiful mid-tones and exceptionally fine grain, producing a clean yet classic black-and-white aesthetic. It excels in bringing out detail across highlights and shadows, making it a top choice for photographers who love rich tonal range and subtle gradations.
Unlike some modern high-contrast films, FP4 offers a more balanced and forgiving look, ideal for photographers who prefer control in post-processing or darkroom printing.
Exposure Latitude
One of FP4’s greatest strengths is its wide exposure latitude. You can comfortably overexpose or underexpose by a stop or two and still achieve excellent results.
This makes it perfect for unpredictable lighting or when you’re experimenting with metering.
Pushing and Pulling
FP4 can be pushed to ISO 200 for extra contrast or pulled to ISO 64 for ultra-smooth results with incredible tonal control.
Its flexibility makes it an excellent choice for photographers who like to tailor their film to different lighting conditions.
When you send your film in for black and white processing with us, please specify the ISO the film was shot at, how many push/pull stops in the comments section when ordering.
Best Uses
Portraits: Smooth skin tones and soft contrast make FP4 perfect for capturing natural-looking portraits.
Landscapes: Its fine grain and tonal depth beautifully render textures, clouds, and shadows.
Architecture: Crisp detail and dynamic range help accentuate structure and form.
Studio Work: Controlled lighting brings out FP4’s full potential for sharpness and tonality.
Ilford FP4 Sample Images
Below are a whole host of pictures, shot by our co-founder Sarah, ranging from the 80's all the way through to today.
From portrait shoots, street photography, architecture to studio work, these Ilford FP4 sample shots should give you a great example of how this film stock performs across a range of conditions, and subjects.
Ilford FP4 Plus is a dependable, versatile film that consistently delivers elegant black-and-white results.
We also recommend checking out our FP4 VS HP5 comparison post if you're wondering what the differences are between these two popular black and white film stocks!
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