Just a quickie - is Ilford XP2 still on sale?
XP2- is it still on sale?
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A
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Yes, it is.
Ciaran
Ciaran
Nice one. I think you can get it processed in C41 labs can't you?
you can also over expose it 2stops and xpro it to get some BW slides
No. Happily it is no longer on sale! Don't worry I am just being pedantic 
: XP2 was replaced by XP2 Super which represented a sufficient improvement on XP2 that Roger Hicks thinks it ought to have been named XP3.
Everything else stated above applies. If you print from the negs yourself on genuine B&W paper you'll get prints every bit as good as those from non chromegenic negs such as Delta, HP5 Plus etc but if the mini-lab does it and it is only geared up for colour neg and printing( most are) then the RA4 paper it will use may give a slight colour cast which you may or may not like but it won't look quite the same as normal silver gelatin B&W paper such as Ilford MG
pentaxuser
: XP2 was replaced by XP2 Super which represented a sufficient improvement on XP2 that Roger Hicks thinks it ought to have been named XP3. Everything else stated above applies. If you print from the negs yourself on genuine B&W paper you'll get prints every bit as good as those from non chromegenic negs such as Delta, HP5 Plus etc but if the mini-lab does it and it is only geared up for colour neg and printing( most are) then the RA4 paper it will use may give a slight colour cast which you may or may not like but it won't look quite the same as normal silver gelatin B&W paper such as Ilford MG
pentaxuser
usually a purple cast from what i remember
From my experience, most B+W negs from any kind of film (HP5 and neopan 1600 specifically) come out a bit purple when printed by machine onto RA4. Funny thing is that in some circumstances I quite like it....
To keep on topic...XP2 is a great film, I used it for years in the lab to capture animals flying using multi-flash and it really tolerates over and under exposure. There used to be a special developer for it if you didn't want to run it through a C-41 process, but I think that may have fallen by the wayside.
To keep on topic...XP2 is a great film, I used it for years in the lab to capture animals flying using multi-flash and it really tolerates over and under exposure. There used to be a special developer for it if you didn't want to run it through a C-41 process, but I think that may have fallen by the wayside.
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the original XP had a special chemical set, which was more or less C-41 double diluted.
Not only is XP2 super on sale, it is probably the easiest B/W film to get in the UK , because virtually every branch of Boots the chemist sells it in 35 mm 
120 roll may bit a bit trickier, but they can order that in for you. Getting it processed is no prob, either.
Where abouts in the West Mids are you? I know several minilabs that will take it happily. Other you have to argue with, because the operators think 'can't do Black and White' but sometimes they can be pursuaded, other times not. It often comes out sepia which looks lovely.
120 roll may bit a bit trickier, but they can order that in for you. Getting it processed is no prob, either.
Where abouts in the West Mids are you? I know several minilabs that will take it happily. Other you have to argue with, because the operators think 'can't do Black and White' but sometimes they can be pursuaded, other times not. It often comes out sepia which looks lovely.
It's still on sale, and it's still brilliant stuff. I wouldnt be into black and white photography without that first 100ft roll years ago.
Dear Straker,
XP2 Super is certainly on sale as the APUGGERS kindly stated :
As to processing minilabs do do it and thats what it was designed to do: Whilst printing onto colour paper is OK especially for proofing the HARMAN technology Lab processes all B&W films and ptrints only onto B&W photo paper : see www.Ilfordlab.com
Regards
Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited
XP2 Super is certainly on sale as the APUGGERS kindly stated :
As to processing minilabs do do it and thats what it was designed to do: Whilst printing onto colour paper is OK especially for proofing the HARMAN technology Lab processes all B&W films and ptrints only onto B&W photo paper : see www.Ilfordlab.com
Regards
Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited
Hi Simon,
As most of us know here on APUG, XP2 can go through a minilab happily.
Trouble is, many minilab operators don't know this, I've been turned away many times. Many minilab operators, who are often youngsters with minimal training, seem to have two solid convictions:
1. We must send all black and white films away.
2. Do not listen to anyone who says otherwise, they are clearly idiots and must be treated as such.
On several occassions I've pleaded, pointed to the 'C41' on the box but to no avail, the operators are pre-programmed by their managers and can not be over-ridden.
I have often wondered if it might be a good idea to print on the film canister or packet something like:
"This film can be processed in any minilab, prints may have a colour cast on colour paper"
Might this ease our passage? It is what I said at the time, of course, but see rule #2, above
It is no longer a problem for me personally, my local minilab is operated by a real photographer. He will even process XP2 in 120 for me (he has a special cassette for it) I bet a lot of minilab operators wouldn't even know you could do that!
I didn't realize XP2 was even available in 120 (I"m not sure how I managed to avoid learning that it was). Something for the next film order!
Yep they do manufacture it. My local photolab in Shirley sells it along with other 120 films (C41) by Fuji.
(They are also one of those rare things in that they have a minilab, and will process 120. In fact they will process all sorts of wierd C41 films like Digipro)
I would think though the XP2 35mm is the most widely stocked, as it was designed for minilab using general public who wanted a crack at B&W.
And as for Steven's comment about numb-nuts labs saying its "Special film". I've had that at Boots the chemist. I also pointed out the C41, they wanted to charge extra. My response was unprintable.
My local lab just looks at it, asks what size prints do you want, and do you want 'em gloss or matt? If they don't know you they will add the rider that there may be a colour cast on the prints. I quite like the sepia effect you sometimes get, but their Noritsu machine minimises that these days
(They are also one of those rare things in that they have a minilab, and will process 120. In fact they will process all sorts of wierd C41 films like Digipro)
I would think though the XP2 35mm is the most widely stocked, as it was designed for minilab using general public who wanted a crack at B&W.
And as for Steven's comment about numb-nuts labs saying its "Special film". I've had that at Boots the chemist. I also pointed out the C41, they wanted to charge extra. My response was unprintable.
My local lab just looks at it, asks what size prints do you want, and do you want 'em gloss or matt? If they don't know you they will add the rider that there may be a colour cast on the prints. I quite like the sepia effect you sometimes get, but their Noritsu machine minimises that these days
Aurum,
Will the minilab operations or larger concerns provide neutral prints from XP2 Super?
Tom.
Will the minilab operations or larger concerns provide neutral prints from XP2 Super?
Tom.
A lot of minilabs seem to have trouble doing neutral prints from XP2 super. I think it's because the base colour isn't orange like other c-41 colour films (and Kodak's BW400CN for that matter), which they usually process. I usually use the Kodak product for that reason in 35mm, although around here it's difficult to find in 120, so I use XP2 sometimes there. Some time ago I believe someone said it's technically possible with most minilabs, but requires a fair bit of manual tweaking which many labs are unwilling to do.
If I want neutral prints I usually just get the lab to scan it and use a digital process not for discussion here
Interesting suggestion earlier about getting it xpro'd and making slides - I'll have to try that at some point.
The colour of the film should make no difference as a colour minilab can adjust the balance automatically after scanning, it's because the operators are in competent usually.
Ian
Ian
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its base being purple instead of orange has something to do with it, but in reality if they come out with a color cast, the operator is too stupid or lazy to make the three mouse clicks changing "input" from "color negative" to "b/w negative". That or they are too lazy or cheap to balance their paper every morning.A lot of minilabs seem to have trouble doing neutral prints from XP2 super. I think it's because the base colour isn't orange like other c-41 colour films (and Kodak's BW400CN for that matter), which they usually process. I usually use the Kodak product for that reason in 35mm, although around here it's difficult to find in 120, so I use XP2 sometimes there. Some time ago I believe someone said it's technically possible with most minilabs, but requires a fair bit of manual tweaking which many labs are unwilling to do.
If I want neutral prints I usually just get the lab to scan it and use a digital process not for discussion here
Interesting suggestion earlier about getting it xpro'd and making slides - I'll have to try that at some point.
The local Walrfart now sends out to Fuji. Will they do it automatically or do I need to add a note?
I bought a bunch in 120 and 35mm last year. It was only after I shot the first roll of 120 that I thought about the fact that my local lab doesn't process 120. Fortunately, it processes okay in Tmax developer. I have a test roll in a Medalist that I just bought - going to process it this weekend in HC110 and see how it does.
Rob Skeoch
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Is it true that XP2 scans better than regular black and white film?
-rob
-rob
Jim, I have a couple rolls lying around extra...FWIW, you can get it at Photo Central, also (darkroomcentral.ca for mail orders)
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