What is the HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp) best used for?

Street, Documentary, Low Light, Portrait, Landscape, Everyday.

How much does the HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp) cost in the UK?

The HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp) starts from £10 in the UK, available across 4 retailers. Prices are tracked live on GearFrame.

Ilford

Ilford HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp)

Name: HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp)
Brand: Ilford
Availability: InStock

Ilford HP5 Plus is the most versatile black-and-white film in existence. Rated at ISO 400 but routinely pushed to ISO 1600, 3200, or even 6400, it handles extraordinary exposure latitude without falling apart. The classic choice for street photography, documentary work, and anyone who wants the timeless, grain-rich look of silver gelatin. Made in Mobberley, Cheshire — one of the great British camera products.

GearFrame's Take

The definitive black-and-white film. Versatile, beautiful, and made in Britain. If you only shoot one B&W stock, make it HP5 Plus.

Starting from

£10 new

Average price across retailers: ~£12

Available at 4 retailers

Check price at Amazon

✓ Available at 4 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only

RetailerPrice

Amazon

—

Check on Amazon →

eBay

Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace

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Search eBay →

Wex Photo Video

—

Check on Wex Photo Video →

Clifton Cameras

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Check on Clifton Cameras →

Prices from Clifton Cameras and Wex Photo Video are synced live. Amazon and eBay links take you to search results — click through to see current listings. Not every product will be stocked by every retailer; older models may only be available second hand.

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Core

Sensor

35mm black & white negative — ISO 400 (pushable to ISO 3200+)

Mount

ISO 400 — push-processable to ISO 3200+ with Ilford DD-X or Microphen

Dimensions

35mm 135-format cartridge, 36 exposures

Weight

~30g per roll

Weather Sealed

Performance

Autofocus

N/A — film stock

Stabilisation

N/A — film stock

Burst Rate

N/A

Battery Life

N/A

Features

Video

N/A — film stock

Viewfinder

N/A

Screen

N/A

Memory Cards

N/A

Connectivity

N/A

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GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre

Street

9.0

Documentary

9.0

Low Light

9.0

Portrait

9.0

Landscape

7.0

Everyday

7.0

✅ Great For

🏙️

Street The street photography film. Push to ISO 1600 for gritty, dramatic candid shots in any light.

📰

Documentary Wide latitude and classic grain are exactly what documentary photography demands.

🌙

Low Light Push to ISO 3200 and shoot in near-darkness. The grain becomes part of the story.

👤

Portrait Timeless black-and-white portraits with beautiful mid-tone gradation and natural skin rendering.

🏔️

Landscape Strong tonal range handles skies and shadows well. Pairs beautifully with a yellow or orange filter.

📷

Everyday Excellent as a daily B&W film. Versatile enough for anything the day throws at you.

⚠️ Not Ideal For

No significant limitations identified — this is a versatile camera without obvious weak spots for most shooters.

📝 How suitability scores are calculated Scores reflect the aggregated consensus from verified purchaser reviews across tracked UK retailers, weighted by photography genre tags applied by reviewers. This is community opinion — not GearFrame editorial assessment. See our full methodology →

Price History — HP5 Plus 400 (36 exp)