HP5 or T-max 400

[Darren Lewey]

Hi, I have a near empty box of T-max 400 (as attached) which I dev. in Pyrocat. I've been using T-max 100 and Fomapan 200 for the past couple of years but now need the increased speed. My question is will HP5 measure up to the above taken with the TMax- 400 or will I be a little disappointed if I go with buying the Ilford sheets. I used HP5 a fair bit in the 1980's, bit was never bowled over by it.

 

[Ian Grant]

Darren, I've been using HP5+ for hand held 5x4 for some years now, at least 12. It's s a superb film especially in combination with Pyrocat HD, you won't be disappointed with it.

Ian

 

[Darren Lewey]

Thanks Ian, if I can get the above result with it, I'll be happy. The costs of T-Max 400 with regards to customs duty getting it into Morocco has shifted my attention to Ilford which I can get in 25's and under the threshold.

 

[Ian Grant]

It's worth saying Darren that I have prints from 5x4 HP5 negatives in Exhibition sets alongside those from Delta 100, and also Tmax 100 on the wall. Other film phototographers can't distinguish the HP5 negative prints from the Delat 100 or much earlier Tmax 100, and the HP5 images blend in with those shot on 10x8 EFKE PL25 one of the finest grin films ever made.

I'm not so keen on HP5 in smaller formats I prefer Delta 400. I stopped using Tmax films while living abroad and travelling to South America purely and simply becauase Kodak B&W films were unobtainable.

Ian

 

[Darren Lewey]

Thanks Ian, I'll be going with HP5. Just a question now of getting it into Morocco unscathed.