Ilford XP2 120

taylorlutz · Sep 9, 2010

Someone just gave me a few rolls of expired Ilford XP2 120. It is a C41 film, but is it possible to process it in traditional B&W chemistry? Any ideas or specifics on what I should do?

Colin Corneau · Sep 10, 2010

I'd stick with C41. I had some expired (several years) XP2 and it was just fine...quite a nice film to shoot with, actually, and prints up very well, I found.

taylorlutz · Sep 10, 2010

The problem is that I have very limited resources and I'm not able to process my own C41. My only option would be to send it out to a lab, and that can be pretty pricey (for me, at least).

Necator · Sep 10, 2010

I have not tried it, but The Massive Dev Chart has some development times for it. According to the wisdom of the web, don't expect great results.

JDP · Sep 10, 2010

C41 processing is just as easy as B&W. Why not get a kit and try it? Some kits give times for development at 30C (86F) in which case you can process in a warm (ok hot!) room without the need for a water bath. I have done this with XP2 super and it works fine. The (partly used) chemicals should last well over 6 months if stored in a cool place with no air in the bottles. XP2 is a good film and produces great looking skies for landscape.

ann · Sep 10, 2010

several years ago i had a student develop this film (by accident) in hc110 solution b. they were a strange color think grade 5 filter magenta, but they did print.

johnalex141r · Sep 10, 2010

I have some expired 120 xp2 as well; the local "pro" lab here in Ottawa does develop it, and will return it uncut, but last time I did some, they charged $7.00 per roll. For me it is cheaper and much easier to purchase new 120 film and develop it at home in D76. The stuff is in the freezer at home; undecided what to do with it. Agree with other posters; the stuff I have expired 1986, was stored well, and still works just fine.

(much easier?? most of the time I use my bicycle to get to work; if I go during a work day, it is about a 4hour round trip cycle - that's a long lunch break!)

JohnS, Ottawa.

2F/2F · Sep 10, 2010

With only a few rolls, I'd just save up the money for the lab processing. It wouldn't be worth it to buy a C-41 kit to process a few rolls, and the results you will get with b/w developers will probably not be to your liking unless you are after "special effects."

The film should cost $8 maximum per roll to process in professional dip-n-dunk equipment, and it may be cheaper, especially with roller transport. I pay $4 for roller and $8 for D-n-D. One Samy's location (Santa Barbara, CA) charges $5.25 for the same dip-n-dunk processing (Refrema) that I pay $8 for down here in L.A. at A&I lab.

nworth · Sep 10, 2010

From what I have heard, the image quality suffers greatly with conventional black and white processing.

taylorlutz · Sep 10, 2010

Thank you everyone for your input! I'm still a student so I have to use my college's dark room and supplies. They've been limiting color processing in the past few years. I am still in the process of trying to acquire resources for my own darkroom at home.

R gould · Sep 10, 2010

I believe that it is possible to dev it in rodinal, I have never tried it so have no more info, but I have heard of it being don, I would stick with c41 in m6y local mini lab.Richard

MattKing · Sep 10, 2010

I'd look around and see if you can find a lab that would give you a deal on "develop only" C41. You might find a lab who would give you a good student discount, especially if you were flexible about how long you were willing to wait.

You might find someone who would be willing to develop this for $2.00 or $3.00 per roll.

taylorlutz · Sep 10, 2010

MattKing said:
I'd look around and see if you can find a lab that would give you a deal on "develop only" C41. You might find a lab who would give you a good student discount, especially if you were flexible about how long you were willing to wait.

You might find someone who would be willing to develop this for $2.00 or $3.00 per roll.

There's one lab in my moment and they are expensive. Know of any good online/mail order labs?

Ilford XP2 120

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