Do you like Ilford?

coigach · Oct 3, 2008

Yes siree...!

About 80% of my work is taken on Ilford film, mostly Delta 100 and SFX. All my b+w work is dr5 reverse-processed as transparencies, both of these films give excellent results reversed. And I love the fact that Ilford listened to the film community and brought back SFX .

Cheers,
Gavin

Jack Lusted · Oct 3, 2008

All roads lead to Ilford I find. I've given most other brands a go, but have always found that the Ilford stuff is consistently the most reliable and consistent and so, for me is the best. The only exceptions being Kentmere Kentona (now part of Ilford) and Kodak Xtol which is the only developer I use for films - now if Ilford made something like Xtol...

Jack

Steve Roberts · Oct 3, 2008

dpurdy said:
Their products are good but I can't afford any of it. There is no Ilford product other than Delta 3200 that can't be found cheaper and just as good made by someone else. IMO.

On this thread two or three people have alluded to the cost of Ilford materials. Clearly it will cost more outside GB, but I'd be interested to know whether it's particular products that people find expensive and what sort of difference we're talking about. If I go out for the day to, perhaps, somewhere in Cornwall it might cost me £30 in petrol and the cost of a couple of rolls of Ilford film and the subsequent paper seems by comparison an absolute bargain. The price of Ilford's materials doesn't really enter into things (and I'm not on megabucks or anything). I just wish I had more time available to use them. Perhaps those concerned about the cost are large/medium format users rather than 35mm?

Steve

Shiny · Oct 3, 2008

I've only been doing this about two or three years and have used Ilford films, paper and chemistry almost exclusively.

I have tried and liked other films and developers (Tri-X, T-Max & Aculux) but have always returned to Ilford for their exceptional quality and consistence. The first film i ever used was Delta 100 and it remains my favourite in both 35mm & 120. I shoot a fair bit of HP5+ now as well and find it incredibly versatile. Perceptol and Microphen are my preffered developers. Being in england i find that Ilford products are the easiest to get and usually the cheapest.

Jim

Slixtiesix · Oct 3, 2008

Regarding black and white film Ilford is the only brand I use.
I prefer the PanF, FP4, HP5 series and Perceptol.
Use Multigrade IV in the Darkroom, beside others.
Also going to use Delta 3200 for available light in the next time. In my view, Ilford is simply the best manufacturer for black and white materials, as they
have constantly high quality, affordable prices for the film and developer stuff
and an elaborate product range which can´t be compared to any other manufacturer.
Unfortunately, their prices for FB papers are considerably high,
but quality has it´s price, doesn´t it?

Benjamin

AlexK · Oct 3, 2008

I love Ilford! ^^
I don't know why, I guess it's because D3200 was the first film I started with, and even though they're expensive here in Norway, I get them slightly cheaper. They're cheaper than Kodak, for example, and that's nice..

I haven't used anything else besides TMZ P3200 though, so I can't say that Ilford are the best, but I like them..they also have very pretty packaging.

scottmj · Oct 3, 2008

Love to use Ilford film and chemistry. Pan F, HP5 etc,
Quality is Great! Nice to see them concerned (listen too) concerns brought up by people in the field.

Trevor Crone · Oct 3, 2008

As long as Ilford support the analogue community I'll support them. I've used their excellent products since the mid 1970's and hope to continue to do so until the end of my days.

I just wish they had a sheet film system like Fuji's Quickload/Kodak Readyload. Made Delta 400 available again in sheet film and brought back ILFOMAR!

I don't ask for much in life.

mario Ag+ · Oct 3, 2008

I love Ilford!

ChrisC · Oct 3, 2008

Steve Roberts said:
I'd be interested to know whether it's particular products that people find expensive and what sort of difference we're talking about.

Steve

Here, a 35mm roll of HP5/FP4 is about $7.50NZD for a roll. The only other thing I've shot was Fuji Neopan SS 100 which was $5.
A 120 roll of HP5/FP4 is $10 after my student discount. I just bought 30 rolls of HP5 120 from B&H for just under $5NZD a roll, so under half the price. I'm so glad there's such good resources online to get some stuff from. I would go for months not shooting because I'd run out of film and had no money. Now I'll be buying in bulk that shouldn't happen!

Now about that 'Do you love B&H' thread...!

haris · Oct 3, 2008

I use only Ilford for now. But, that is during a fact that my seller give me affordable price. If that change I would have to swich to cheaper alternatives.

Chazzy · Oct 3, 2008

Back when Kodak dropped their black and white papers, not to mention some of their films (the answer to all complaints was to substitute T-Max 100), I decided that Kodak was not worth supporting anymore, and tried to standardize on fp4+ and hp5+--both of which were available in 220, my favorite roll film. I stuck to Xtol developer because Ilford really didn't have an equivalent. But then Ilford dropped its support for 220 and made clear that it won't be coming back, which sent me back to Kodak for 220 Tri-X 320. And I got tired of dealing with the frustration of reading the numbers on the backing paper of Ilford 120 films through the little red windows on my folders, so I switched to TXP for those cameras too. So I've gotten over my earlier resentment about Kodak's cavalier attitude toward dropping products and learned to like them a little bit again. Kodak has also demonstrated a greater commitment to research and improving their present emulsions lately.

So the best thing that I can say about Ilford is that Simon does a wonderful job of representing the company on APUG and responding to customer concerns. In that area they are much, much better than Kodak.

reellis67 · Oct 3, 2008

For me, Ilford, whatever the cost, is the film that gives me the results that I am looking for, therefore I use it exclusively for black and white. Besides, it's difficult not to support them when they have shown, time and again, their commitment to the 'traditional' black and white photography community.

- Randy

Steve Roberts · Oct 3, 2008

ChrisC said:
Here, a 35mm roll of HP5/FP4 is about $7.50NZD for a roll. A 120 roll of HP5/FP4 is $10 after my student discount. ...!

That's about the same as high street prices here in the UK. In fact, if you went into the wrong shop you could easily pay more than that!

Steve

IloveTLRs · Oct 3, 2008

Steve Roberts said:
On this thread two or three people have alluded to the cost of Ilford materials. Clearly it will cost more outside GB, but I'd be interested to know whether it's particular products that people find expensive and what sort of difference we're talking about. ... Perhaps those concerned about the cost are large/medium format users rather than 35mm?

No, I use 35mm mostly these days. However I just now checked the website of my favorite film/developing hang-out and they don't even stock Ilford anymore :confusedunno what that's all about

When I did use it, Delta 100 for example was $6 a roll when Acros was $3 and Plus-X around $4.
I do use ID-11 sometimes.

Mark Antony · Oct 3, 2008

Depends on the retail outlet Steve, some are expensive but most web based shops Silverprint, Retro photographic, 7 Day shop are about £1.80 a roll if you buy in 10's- pretty cheap.
I think in the UK at least Ilford is competitive and in most places cheaper than Kodak, I guess North America and Japan are probably cheaper for their locally made products.
Mark

fotch · Oct 3, 2008

I like both Kodak and Ilford.

terri · Oct 3, 2008

Sure, I like Ilford....what's not to like? Quality films, chemistry, lovely papers. I'm appreciative of their presence here on APUG.

But, last comment aside, I'd be able to answer pretty much the same way about all of the companies supporting film and analog products.

TheDreadPirateRobins · Oct 3, 2008

I like anyone who makes good film.

I have been using a lot of FP4+ lately, and I have been pleased with the results.

simulatordan · Oct 3, 2008

I've used Ilford film, paper, and chemistry for 99.9% of my photographic life - 50 yrs ish. I am well pleased with the results. I grew up near Ilford and have remained a fan. I also support Essex and Leyton Orient .

Regards Daniel

Harry Lime · Oct 3, 2008

Delta 3200 and DD-X is Ilford's gift to the universe.
The best ultra high-speed film on the planet.

Poohblah · Oct 3, 2008

did anybody else notice the change to HP5+ recently? the numbers on the edge of the film used to be pixelated, now they're rounded. and the color of the "HP5+" on the box and roll has changed oh so slightly.

chriscrawfordphoto · Oct 4, 2008

The people talking about high price have all been Australians and New Zealanders. In the USA Ilford is about the same price as Kodak for black and white films so far as I have noticed. Fuji Acros is a lot less expensive than anything from Kodak or Ilford though. I wonder why it is so cheap? Its good stuff too, and should cost the same I'd think. Oh well, I won't complain too loud since I shoot a lot of it. I like FP-4 and Delta 3200 too.

Matt5791 · Oct 4, 2008

Poohblah said:
did anybody else notice the change to HP5+ recently? the numbers on the edge of the film used to be pixelated, now they're rounded. and the color of the "HP5+" on the box and roll has changed oh so slightly.

I believe that is the result of the new machine bought from Agfa.

I wondered, in another thread, whether they can infact now substitute the lettering for anything they like at the tap of a keyboard......like "you underexposed, again"

Matt5791 · Oct 4, 2008

Hey - eveyone in the US having to suffer the higher cost of Ilford.......Over the past 4-5 weeks the Dollar has strengthened. It had been sitting at $2 - £1, or close to this, for some time, which is the weakest the $ has been since about 1981.

A sustained weaker £ may eventually translate into cheaper Ilford in the US.

Matt

Do you like Ilford?

haris

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