The best black and white film allows you to create stunning images with your analog camera. But not all black and white film stocks are the same. They have different ISOs and use different emulsions that react uniquely to light. That means some film stocks are better suited to certain types of photography.
We’ll take you through all the best black and white film rolls available. And we’ll start by saying our top choice is the Ilford HP5 Plus. It’s the most versatile black and white film on the market. It has a 400 ISO and a fine grain structure. You can use it for everything from portraits to street photography.
Film photography is experiencing another boom period. Many photographers are putting down their digital cameras and picking up analog cameras instead.
Some young photographers avoid digital altogether. They are going straight for film cameras.
We’re far beyond questioning, “Is film dead?” We know film photography is alive and kicking. And there’s no better example of this than the black and white film market.
While color films remain limited, the black and white market is full of variety. Film photographers have plenty of stocks to choose from.
But before you buy, there are a few things to consider. First, you need to think about the size of the film. Do you need 35mm or 120mm film for your camera?
ISO is another important consideration. Every film has a set ISO. So you need to choose the one that’s right for your photography. You also have things like grain structure and flexibility.
Skip to the FAQ section to learn more about black and white film.
Here’s a full rundown of the best back and white film stocks. We’ll take a more detailed look at each film in the following section. And we’ve included examples to give you a better idea of what to expect from each roll.
The black and white film scene has never been more vibrant. Today’s film photographers have plenty of stocks to choose from.
You have different film rolls with a wide range of ISOs. Plus, several companies are producing reliable rolls of 35mm and 120mm film. We’ve included stocks from Ilford, Foma, and Rollei.
| Brand |
Brand
Ilford
|
| ISO |
ISO
400
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm, and large format
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Fine grain structure, medium contrast, excellent sharpness
|
| Best For |
Best For
Everything from portraits to press photography
|
The Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is our top black and white film pick. Ilford is the master of black and white film. And their HP5 Plus is the most popular roll with film photographers.
The HP5 400 is the best all-around roll of film with incredible versatility. With an ISO of 400 and a fine grain structure, it works well in low-light conditions.
It gives you consistent results even when lighting conditions are inconsistent. The results outdoors are fabulous, with deep contrasts in natural light.
You can also use HP5 for indoor photography. The detail and brightness give you top results when shooting indoor events. And the higher light sensitivity allows you to shoot concert photography.
HP5 Plus 400 is the ultimate all-around black and white film stock. And you can also buy Ilford HP5 Plus in 120mm for medium-format cameras.
| Brand |
Brand
Foma
|
| ISO |
ISO
100
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
24 or 36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Flexible, high contrast, deep shades
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portrait, landscape, and fine art photography
|
Fomapan 100 has been a revelation to me as a photographer. It’s one of the cheapest 100 ISO stocks available. And this led me to believe it was an inferior film.
How wrong I was. When I tried Fomapan 100 for the first time, I was blown away by the results. This film gives you glorious black and white images.
The 100 ISO gives you outstanding image quality with a smooth finish. The contrasts are dramatic without being overpowering. And you get a vast array of monochrome shades. The blacks are powerful, but they don’t consume your image.
You do need a decent amount of light. But it is more forgiving than other 100 ISO films.
You still get deep contrasts and rich shades. But you still get great results if the exposure isn’t exactly right. You still get details in light and dark areas.
Fomapan has kept its prices low. That means Fomapan 100 gives you excellent value for your money. It’s a brilliant film stock.
You can use it for stunning portraits and fine art photography. And it’s one of the best film stocks for landscape photography. Fomapan 100 is also available in 120 medium-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Ilford
|
| ISO |
ISO
125
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm, and large formats
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Deep tones, wide exposure latitude
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portraits, fine art, and landscapes
|
Ilford FP4 Plus is the black and white film you need for professional results. The low ISO level gives you outstanding quality and detail.
It’s not as versatile as Ilford HP5. But it gives you beautiful results when you know how to get the best out of it.
It has a 125 ISO, which is unusual. Most film cameras don’t have a 125 ISO setting. While that might seem like a problem, it actually gives you more options.
You can set the camera to 100 ISO, and the results will be rich with a smooth finish. You can also set the camera to 200 ISO. This gives you a deeper finish with more greys and texture.
The strong contrasts make it perfect for dramatic black and white portraits. You can shoot outside on bright, sunny days. And it’s a fantastic film roll for studio photography.
Ilford also has stable prices. So you always get good value with its films. FP4 Plus is a film black and white photographers have to try. It’s also available in 120 medium-format film and large-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Rollei
|
| ISO |
ISO
80
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Fine grain structure, deep contrasts, rich blacks
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portrait, product, and landscape photography
|
Rollei Retro 80s is an excellent low-ISO film stock you have to try. It’s the only mass-produced 80 ISO black and white film on the market. And the affordable price makes it a great introduction to low-ISO film photography.
Other Rollei films with higher ISO tend to feature many greyscale tones. They give you low-contrast results. But Retro 80s, with its deeper black tones, gives you the best of both worlds. You get rich, silky blacks. But you also get lots of grey details in the lighter areas.
Most cameras will only have settings for 100 or 50 ISO, so an 80 ISO film is a tricky one. It’s best to set your camera to 100 ISO, but understand you’ll need a little bit more light.
Rollei have kept their prices low. Rollei Retro 80s isn’t their cheapest stock. But it’s still more affordable than most films from other brands.
| Brand |
Brand
Ilford
|
| ISO |
ISO
400
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Wide tonal range, soft contrasts, sharp detail
|
| Best For |
Best For
Street, travel, portrait, and fashion photography
|
Delta 400 is another 400 ISO film from Ilford. It has a wider tonal range than the HP5 Plus. And it gives you a wider variety of grey tones throughout the grey scale.
There’s a lower contrast level, so the images have a softer impact. Some photographers prefer this as it allows for more detailed images.
It has a fine grain structure for a 400 ISO film. This gives you a softer texture with low levels of visible fine rain. And the fast ISO speed and detailed results make it one of the most versatile film stocks.
It’s popular with everyone from travel photographers to portrait photographers. Film shooters should always have a roll of Ilford Delta 400 in their camera backpacks. It’s also available as 120 medium-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Foma
|
| ISO |
ISO
200
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
24 or 36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Wide exposure latitude, versatile usage
|
| Best For |
Best For
Casual photographers looking for more detail
|
Fomapan 200 is a funny old film. Many have asked if the world really needs a 200 ISO black and white film. But I think it does. It is a fantastic film stock for tentative photographers looking for more detail.
Many beginners stick with 400 ISO films. And Fomapan 200 is the perfect roll for experimenting with slower films.
This film is more forgiving than most 100 ISO stocks. Details aren’t lost to blackness if you don’t get the exposure spot on.
It does tend to produce flat and monotone images. But when you get it right, the results are fantastic.
The quality is close to that of Fomapan 100. But you have more flexibility with lighting conditions. It is a versatile film you can use for travel and street photography.
We recommend you try a roll of Fomapan 200. It is also available as 120 medium-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Lomograhy
|
| ISO |
ISO
400
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Wide tonal range, soft contrast
|
| Best For |
Best For
Casual film photography
|
Lomography is an institution dedicated to the preservation of film photography. Their passion for analog photography is infectious. And they have created an entire community around the Lomography name.
The Lady Grey B&W 400 is their most versatile film stock. It’s a great starting place if you’re new to film photography.
The quality is consistent from roll to roll. And it’s forgiving if you’re still getting used to the exposure settings.
It isn’t only a film for beginners. Professional shooters are also using it more and more. You get a wide tonal range with soft shades of grey. The detail is good. But you do get a fairly strong level of visible grain.
Some might not like the grain of Lady Grey. But other photographers want a grainy texture in their photographs.
That’s one of the reasons Lomography Lady Grey B&W is growing in popularity. And if you care about the future of film photography, you should support the Lomography project.
| Brand |
Brand
Ilford
|
| ISO |
ISO
3200
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Strong grain texture, excellent low-light performance
|
| Best For |
Best For
Low-light, sports, concert, and event photography
|
Ilford Delta 3200 is a professional film for low-light photography. It has a super-fast ISO of 3200. That means the film is very sensitive to light. So you can work in darker conditions.
The photos have a strong grain texture. And the grain is visible even when the images are exposed correctly. Despite the grain, the quality is excellent. The details are sharp. And you still get rich tones of grey.
The high ISO makes it popular with many photographers. You can use it for concerts and other music events. You can shoot indoor sports photography. And it’s a useful stock for photojournalists.
Many film shooters use it because they like the grain texture. But the Ilford Delta 3200 isn’t for everyone. And yet, it’s the best black and white film for low-light photography. It’s also available as 120 medium-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Rollei
|
| ISO |
ISO
25
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Pristine quality, no grain, rich tones
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portrait, landscape, product, and fine art photography
|
Rollei has been making black and white film for decades. They don’t get as much attention as Ilford or Kodak. But serious film photographers are still passionate about Rollei film stocks.
The Rollei RPX 25 is one of the best low-speed options you can buy. It’s a panchromatic film with an ISO of just 25. Give it enough light, and you will have photos of exquisite quality.
The detail is intense. The darker shades are rich and smooth. And the finish has no grain, giving you a pristine texture.
It isn’t exactly versatile. But it’s great for fine art photography, portraits, or landscapes. And you might need to use a fast lens and tripod to get the best results.
Rollei RPX 25 is a high-quality film for serious analog enthusiasts. It is also available as 120-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Foma
|
| ISO |
ISO
400
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
24 or 36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Deep contrasts
|
| Best For |
Best For
Casual film shooting, beginner and street photographers
|
Fomapan 400 is one of the best black and white film stocks just due to its price. While film prices are skyrocketing, Foma prices are staying low. So it is the best-value film on the market.
It isn’t as reliable as the Ilford HP5 Plus. But it does give you similar results. The images have deep contrasts, especially in natural light. And you only experience visible grain when very under-exposed.
It’s also less forgiving than the other 400 films, so you must set the right exposure.
It’s a versatile roll of film. Street photographers can burn through rolls of this stock. And thanks to the low price, they don’t go bankrupt in the process.
The low price also makes it a great film for learning the ropes. You can afford to make mistakes, allowing you to improve your skills.
You can stock your fridge with a few rolls of Fomapan 400. You can also get it as 120 medium-format film.
| Brand |
Brand
Ilford
|
| ISO |
ISO
50
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm, large format
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
High contrast, fine detail, rich tones
|
| Best For |
Best For
Bright sunlight or studio lighting
|
To use the Ilford PANF 50, you need time and light. The low ISO level of 50 means you need a long exposure time and about as much light as possible.
It is a specialist film. It doesn’t work well with movement. And it won’t settle for anything less than bright light. It’s not very good for street photography. But it’s brilliant for dramatic portraits and fashion shots.
But if you meet its needs, the image resolution is stunning. The PANF 50 produces intricate levels of detail and no visible grain.
It’s an excellent film for fine art photography. And you also get 120 medium-format rolls of it.
| Brand |
Brand
Rollei
|
| ISO |
ISO
400
|
| Number of Exposures |
Number of Exposures
36
|
| Available Formats |
Available Formats
35mm and 120mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Wide tonal range, grain texture
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers who want a film photo aesthetic
|
Rollei Retro 400S is another versatile 400 ISO black and white film. It has a visible amount of grain, especially when enlarged.
This will put some photographers off. But it’s one of the main reasons it remains so popular.
It has a wide tonal range. You get good detail from shaded areas. But you can still achieve strong contrasts in bright light.
It performs well outside in all conditions. And it can be used in a studio with minimal artificial lighting.
Retro 400S is one of the best stocks for getting a true film photo aesthetic. It has a visual quality that filters can’t quite get right.
The low price makes it a good option for beginners and prolific shooters. It’s versatile and inexpensive. And you can also buy it as 120 medium-format film.
Shooting black and white film is a fun and thrilling experience. But it can be a confusing topic when you’re just starting.
There are lots of technical terms. You have loads of brand names to remember. And finding a film that matches your needs as a photographer can be difficult.
We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help guide you.
The timeless quality of black and white photos excites our imagination. And they have a heightened sense of mystery and romance. Before the arrival of color film, everyone had to use black and white film.
Color film was a revelation when it was first released. But black and white photography continued in the background. And now, black and white photography is once again growing in popularity.
Color gives us a more true-to-life image. It captures the vivid tones and hues of our colorful world. But black and white photography has more depth.
And using black and white film also makes you work harder as a photographer. You can’t rely on color to dazzle the viewer. It forces you to look for other elements to make the shot interesting.
You need to look for areas of contrast. You have to find shapes and textures. And your composition has to be perfect, so using black and white film makes you a better photographer.
Black and white photographers are lucky. Unlike color film, many brands make good-quality black and white film. There’s Kodak, Ilford, Fomapan, Rollei, and Lomography.
Kodak is one of the biggest manufacturers. They dominate the color film scene. And they also have a couple of good black and white options. But their price hikes are turning film shooters away.
Ilford is the biggest name in black and white film photography. Their HP5 Plus and Delta 400 are two of the most popular film stocks. They also produce other films with higher and lower film speeds.
All film photographers should try Fomapan films. You can get 100, 200, or 400 ISO film rolls. They’ve kept their prices low. So they offer excellent value for money.
And Rollei is another film brand offering excellent value. They have a wide range of films available. And they’re all set at a good price.
Finally, Lomography is a name all film shooters should know. It isn’t just a film brand. They have created a community around analog photography. And they have been working for decades to revive the film photography scene.
Lomography has some excellent films available. And you can join their online community and share your images.
You can change the ISO setting on digital cameras. But rolls of film have a set ISO that can’t be changed. Every film has a set ISO number.
The ISO number indicates how sensitive the film is to light. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is. This means a film with a low ISO needs more light to expose.
But while a low ISO needs more light, it does produce better image quality. A film with a higher ISO is more prone to having a grainy texture. Plus, you also lose detail and depth of tone.
Every film has strengths and limitations based on its ISO level. Low ISO films give you outstanding image quality. But it’s best to have bright light and long exposure times.
High-ISO films have fewer tones and more grain. But you can use them in low-light situations.
So ISO plays a large part in determining the best black and white film. If you want intense quality and a smooth finish, you need 100 ISO or lower film. Night photographers need something like a 3200 ISO film.
400 ISO sits right in the middle. They work well in different lighting conditions. And you might get the odd hint of grain. But the quality is still excellent. That’s why 400 ISO films are so popular with film shooters.
The film photography scene has a thriving community. And there are many ways to share your black and white film photos with other enthusiasts.
Facebook is a great place to start. There are plenty of excellent groups where people share images, info, and tips.
Following hashtags like that also helps you find other film photographers to follow. You can also try a new app for photographers called Plates.
You can also become a member of the Lomography community. Their website allows you to share your work.
You can find other people’s film photos. You can find people using specific rolls of black and white film. And you can publish the films you like to use.
You need to digitize your photos to share them online. The best way to do this is with a photo scanner. You can get flatbed photo scanners. Or you can use dedicated film scanners for scanning negatives.
There’s a wide variety of black and white films to choose from. You have options from Ilford and Kodak. And you can also try film stocks from Foma and Rollei. You have every ISO you need to shoot any photo in black and white.
It’s hard to say which is the best black and white film. But Ilford HP5 Plus takes the top spot on our list. It’s a versatile film with 400 ISO. It gives you deep tones and sharp contrasts. And the quality is consistent from roll to roll. Ilford is the master of providing reliable black and white film!
