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Ilford HP5 Plus 400 - 36exp

Ilford HP5 Plus 400 - 36exp

Regular price $23.00 NZD
Regular price Sale price $23.00 NZD
Sale Sold out

One Roll of Timeless Black & White Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is the classic B&W film that’s been trusted by photographers for decades. Known for its fine grain, wide exposure latitude, and rich contrast, HP5 is your go-to for everything from street photography to portraits and landscapes. It’s a versatile film that delivers a timeless, gritty look with loads of character—perfect for low-light situations or pushing your limits.

Format: 35mm

The most common film size for still photography. Used in standard film cameras—anything from point-and-shoots to SLRs. If your camera takes “normal film,” this is it.

Exposures: 36exp

36exp means the roll can take up to 36 photos on a standard 35mm camera. An exposure is simply one photo — every time you press the shutter, you use one.
Keep in mind: cameras like half-frame take half-size photos, so you’ll get double the number, while panoramic cameras use more film per shot, giving you fewer than 36.

Film Speed: 400iso

400 ISO film speed is a versatile, all-rounder sensitivity suited for most lighting situations. It captures good detail in daylight while still holding its own indoors or on overcast days. Fast enough for hand-held shooting, balanced enough for natural colour and grain—400 ISO is the dependable middle ground most photographers reach for.

Color Balance: Greyscale

Film that only captures shades of grey. No colour information—classic, timeless look.

Grain: Normal

The classic film look — visible but not overpowering.

Colour: Black & White

Contrast / latitude: Wide exposure latitude

Processing: Black and White

Traditional B&W processing for monochrome film. Results depend on film type and developer.

Quantity

🚚 Shipped via CourierPost 1-2 working days shipping*

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Load in Subdued Light
Always load and unload film in shade or indoors - never in direct sunlight. Even a few seconds of bright light can fog the edges of your film. If outdoors, use your body to create shade over the camera while loading.

Avoid Temperature Extremes
Don't shoot film immediately after it's been very cold or very hot. Let it stabilize to ambient temperature first, or you may experience:

  • Brittle film that tears or jams
  • Inconsistent development
  • Base fog or colour shifts

Never Leave Film in Hot Cars
Heat is film's worst enemy. A car interior can reach 50-70°C in summer, which:

  • Accelerates aging dramatically
  • Causes colour shifts and fogging
  • Can make film unusable in just a few hours
  • Effects worsen with each exposure to heat

Even "fresh" film left in a hot car for an afternoon can look expired.

Cool & Dry is Key
Store your film in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer works fine for film you'll use within 6 months. Ideal storage temperature is below 21°C with low humidity.

Long-Term Cold Storage
For extended storage (6+ months), keep film in your fridge (4-7°C) or freezer (-18°C). Store film in sealed plastic bags or containers to prevent moisture damage. Film can last years beyond its expiry date when frozen properly.

Defrosting is Essential
Before use, film MUST be brought to room temperature while still sealed. This prevents condensation forming on the film emulsion. Allow:

  • Fridge-stored film: 1-2 hours to warm up
  • Frozen film: 3-4 hours minimum (overnight is safest)

Hand Inspection is Best
X-ray scanners can fog film, especially:

  • ISO 800 and above (most vulnerable)
  • Film that passes through multiple scanners
  • CT scanners (now common at many airports) - these are particularly damaging

What to Do:

  • Request hand inspection at security (arrive early)
  • Keep film in clear bags for easy inspection
  • Remove film from boxes/canisters if requested
  • Never pack film in checked luggage (those scanners are much stronger)

ISO 400 and below can usually handle 1-2 scans from older X-ray machines, but CT scanners can damage any film speed. Kodak and other manufacturers recommend hand checks for all film through CT scanners.

Already Exposed Film
Exposed film is even more vulnerable - get it processed ASAP and avoid additional scanner passes if possible.

No Returns on Film
Due to the nature of film as a consumable product, we cannot accept returns or exchanges on 35mm, 110, 120, or any other film formats once sold.

Why?
We can't verify how film has been stored or handled after it leaves our shop. Film is sensitive to heat, humidity, light, and X-rays - factors outside our control once you've purchased it. Even brief exposure to a hot car or improper storage can affect results, and we have no way to determine whether issues are due to the film itself or post-purchase conditions.

Defective or Damaged Product
If your film arrives damaged (crushed canister, torn packaging, etc.) or is clearly defective straight out of the box, let us know immediately. We'll work with you to sort it out - but we'll need to assess it before it's been loaded or exposed.