Ilford FP4 Plus 125
The forgiving workhorse — fine grain, wide latitude, and bulletproof consistency.
Tonal Palette
Creamy, slightly warm grayscale — smooth transitions
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Ilford Photo (Harman Technology, UK) |
| Film Type | Black & white negative |
| ISO Speed | 125 |
| Process | Standard B&W (ID-11, D-76, Perceptol, HC-110, Rodinal, etc.) |
| Grain | Fine — traditional cubic grain with outstanding sharpness |
| Exposure Latitude | Exceptionally wide (6 stops over, 2 stops under) |
| Contrast | Medium (slightly lower than HP5 Plus) |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, 5x7, 8x10 up to 20x24, bulk |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
When exposures exceed one second, FP4 Plus requires additional time to compensate for reciprocity failure. FP4 Plus has a lower reciprocity exponent than HP5 Plus (1.26 vs 1.31), which means it needs less correction for long exposures — making it a better choice for architectural and landscape work on a tripod.
Push & Pull Processing
FP4 Plus is not typically used for push processing the way HP5 Plus is, but it can be pushed to EI 200–400 with increased development time when needed. Its extraordinary overexposure tolerance means pulling is rarely necessary — the film handles bright conditions beautifully at box speed.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 32 | 32 | −2 | Ultra-fine grain; maximum tonal range; tripod required |
| EI 64 | 64 | −1 | Finer grain, lower contrast; beautiful in bright light |
| EI 125 | 125 | 0 | Box speed — the classic FP4 Plus look |
| EI 200 | 200 | +1 | Slight contrast boost; grain remains fine |
| EI 400 | 400 | +2 | Noticeable grain increase; usable when more speed is needed |
Character & Personality
Grain
Fine grain with outstanding sharpness. FP4 Plus features a traditional cubic grain emulsion that produces very fine, sharp grain at ISO 125. In 35mm, grain is noticeable but pleasingly fine and well-defined. In 120, grain is barely visible. The film delivers smooth gradient transitions and excellent detail rendering, making it ideal for large prints.
Exposure Latitude
Exceptionally wide for a medium-speed film. Ilford states it will give usable results when overexposed by up to 6 stops or underexposed by 2 stops. This extraordinary latitude makes it one of the most forgiving B&W films available, ideal for beginners or situations with variable lighting. You almost cannot overexpose this film.
Tonal Character
Medium contrast with smooth, creamy tonal transitions. FP4 Plus produces prints with exceptional brightness and tonal range. The film has a slightly lower contrast than HP5 Plus, which makes it excellent for retaining detail in both shadows and highlights simultaneously. The overall rendering is clean, detailed, and classic.
Best Suited For
- Landscape and nature photography (in adequate light)
- Architecture and detail work
- Studio portraiture
- Product photography
- Long exposures (benefits from lower reciprocity exponent)
- Any situation with good lighting where fine grain and maximum detail are desired
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$8–10 USD |
| 120 | ~$7–9 USD |
| 4x5 (25 sheets) | ~$35–45 USD |
| 35mm bulk (100ft) | Available |
Prices are approximate and vary by retailer. FP4 Plus is one of the best value-for-money B&W films available. Current as of early 2026.
Development Notes
FP4 Plus responds well to virtually any B&W developer. ID-11 (Ilford's D-76 equivalent) at 1:1 is the standard recommendation and produces excellent all-round results. Perceptol at full strength provides maximum fine grain — the best choice when ultimate smoothness is the priority.
FP4 Plus is very consistent and predictable in development, making it an excellent film for learning darkroom technique. It has slightly better reciprocity failure characteristics than most B&W films (exponent 1.26), making it a strong choice for long-exposure architectural and landscape photography.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot FP4 Plus with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for FP4 Plus and 21 other film stocks. Load it as your active film and the app will automatically correct your long exposures. Track every frame on your roll and never lose count again.