Ilford FP4+ or Delta for an HP5+ user

[JanaM]

Hello Arcady,

with Ilford Delta 100 and Delta 400 you get

- significantly higher resolution
- better sharpness with developers like Spur HRX-2
- significantly finer grain
- better tonal range at great enlargements, because of the finer grain.

You are shooting 35mm. Especially with Delta 100 in 35mm you can get a quality level which is similar to Ilford FP4+ in small medium format 4,5x6 cm.

Delta 100/400 developed in Spur HRX-2 is a dream combination. I don't miss medium format when I am using Delta 100 in 35mm.
I can highly recommend Delta 100/400. They bring a "brilliance" to your pictures. It's difficult to describe, you have to see it by your own.

Best regards,
Jana

 

[Willie Jan]

I use Fp4+ for 4x5.
Fuji across on roll film.

The thing i like about the across is the sharpness and reprocity factor that starts only beyond 2 minutes...
I develop both in pyrocat HD (mixed from my own chemicals)

I tried efke 100 on 4x5 before, but did not like that fact that each different emulsion pack could have a difference of 1-2 stops. I had a pack that should be rated at 25 or less...

the fp4+ is available in 100 pieces a box for a very nice price.

 

[Willie Jan]

Yeah! I've also noticed higher prices at Freestyle. A few years ago, no one knew about Efke. Perhaps now they are a bit of a boutique film? But then again, all film has gone up in price.

Don't let the QC scare you too much, it's good stuff. Just shoot 2 (3???) of each shot and be prepared to crop out the light leaks around the paper backing ...if you use 120.

prices for film go up because the dollar is dropping...
here in europe my fuji across film costs still the same.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

To remain objective in an attempt to reply to the original poster's question:

HP5 has less inherent contrast than FP4. If you decide to use FP4 and want similar looking negs you will have to probably overexpose and cut back development significantly with very mild agitation (or the highlight density will build up very rapidly again).
I'm not too sure about Delta 100, mainly because I may have used maybe ten rolls of it, ever. It seems to have the same beautiful smooth tonal gradations that HP5 does, and may be a film of more familiarity to HP5 than FP4 is, but I cannot tell for sure.

I hope that helps.
- Thomas

 

[Dave Krueger]

prices for film go up because the dollar is dropping...
here in europe my fuji across film costs still the same.

I have no doubt that could have something to do with it, but Ilford and Foma products are subject to the same pressure and they are now cheaper than Efke.