Ilford Pan F Plus 50
The fine art film — luminous, creamy, and utterly grainless.
Tonal Palette
High contrast, luminous highlights — dramatic tonal range
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Ilford Photo (Harman Technology, UK) |
| Film Type | Black & white negative |
| ISO Speed | 50 |
| Process | Standard B&W (Perceptol, ID-11, D-76, etc.) |
| Grain | Ultra-fine — the finest in Ilford's entire lineup |
| Exposure Latitude | Moderate (performs best with careful metering) |
| Contrast | High |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, bulk |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
When exposures exceed one second, Pan F Plus requires additional time to compensate for reciprocity failure. Note that Pan F Plus has a higher reciprocity exponent (1.33) than the faster FP4 Plus (1.26) despite being a slower film — so long-exposure correction is more significant than you might expect.
Push & Pull Processing
Pan F Plus is not suited for push processing — the film quickly loses its fine-grain advantage when pushed. It performs best at box speed or slightly pulled. The high contrast can be tamed by reducing development time, which also yields even smoother tonal transitions.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 25 | 25 | −1 | Maximum smoothness; reduced contrast; ideal for high-key work |
| EI 50 | 50 | 0 | Box speed — luminous, creamy tonality with ultra-fine grain |
| EI 100 | 100 | +1 | Not recommended — grain increases, fine-grain advantage diminishes |
Character & Personality
Grain
Ultra-fine grain — the finest in Ilford's entire lineup. Pan F Plus produces images with extremely fine, smooth grain that is nearly invisible even in 35mm enlargements. The grain has a creamy quality with smooth transitions, making it ideal for fine art printing. In 120 format, the grain is essentially invisible, producing images of remarkable clarity.
Exposure Latitude
Moderate. Pan F Plus has decent latitude but is not as forgiving as FP4 Plus or HP5 Plus, particularly when underexposed. The film performs best when carefully metered, ideally with a slight bias toward overexposure. It rewards disciplined exposure technique with outstanding tonal range and exceptional brightness.
Tonal Character
High contrast with excellent tonal separation. The film produces bright, luminous highlights and rich shadows. The overall look is crisp and detailed with a luminous quality that makes it prized for fine art and studio work. The "creamy" tonality is often described as the B&W equivalent of slide film quality — a unique glow that no other Ilford film can quite match.
Best Suited For
- Studio portraiture with controlled lighting
- Fine art and exhibition printing
- Architecture on sunny days
- Still life and product photography
- Fashion photography
- Bright outdoor conditions (sunny days, beaches, snow)
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$10–13 USD |
| 120 | ~$8–11 USD |
| 35mm bulk (100ft) | Available |
Prices are approximate and vary by retailer. Current as of early 2026.
Development Notes
Perceptol (Ilford's fine-grain developer) at full strength is the classic recommendation for Pan F Plus and produces the smoothest, finest-grained results. ID-11 at 1:1 provides slightly more contrast while maintaining fine grain — a good choice when you want a bit more punch.
Rodinal can be used but will emphasize grain more than with faster films. Pan F Plus is very sensitive to overdevelopment — err on the side of slightly less time rather than more. The high contrast can be tamed by reducing development time by 10–15%. Avoid push processing entirely, as the film loses its fine-grain advantage quickly. Pan F Plus is excellent for Zone System work due to its predictable tonal response.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot Pan F Plus with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for Pan F Plus and 21 other film stocks. Load it as your active film and the app will automatically correct your long exposures. At ISO 50, careful metering is essential — let TLR Companion handle the math so you can focus on the image.