120 Ilford XP2 Super 400
Product information
120 Ilford XP2 Super 400| Manufacturer | Ilford |
| Film | XP2 Super 400 |
| Type | Black and White |
| ISO | 400 |
| Format | 120 Medium Format |
Ilford XP2 Super 400 120: The Black and White that Revolutionizes Medium Format
Loading your medium format camera no longer requires complicated chemical processes. The Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 changes the rules of the analog game. It is a black and white film that is developed in color chemistry (C-41). It is the definitive tool for wedding photographers, portraitists and travelers. It guarantees you can develop your huge 6×6 negatives at any minilab in the world in just one hour.
What makes the Ilford XP2 Super film roll in 120 unique?
Its uniqueness lies in its chromogenic technology. After development, no silver remains in the negative. The image is formed entirely by dye clouds. This brilliant photochemical engineering gives it a monstrous exposure latitude. Additionally, in the immense size of 120 format, this dye design produces images of astonishing smoothness and visual cleanliness, eliminating the "sandy" look of traditional grain.
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Universal C-41 also in 35mm.
If you love the development speed of this chromogenic emulsion, load it every day. Get this logistical miracle in standard 35mm format to feed your SLR camera and be able to develop B&W at any pharmacy in the world.
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Technical Specifications and Basic Comparison
Mastering this chromogenic emulsion requires understanding its peculiar nature. We break down the exact technical radiography of this versatile marvel from Ilford.
- Format: Medium Format (120).
- Nominal sensitivity: ISO 400 / 27°.
- Emulsion type: Chromogenic black and white (Dye clouds).
- Base support: Clear acetate.
- Development: C-41 process (Standard color chemistry).
| Feature | Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 | Ilford HP5 Plus 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Process | C-41 (Universal color) | Traditional B&W (Silver) |
| Visual Structure | Soft dye clouds | Cubic silver crystals |
| Digital Cleanup (ICE) | 100% Compatible (Removes dust) | Incompatible (Ruins the photo) |
Technical Variables of the Film
- Contrast and Tonal Range: Super controllable medium-low contrast. It displays silky grays ideal for smoothing skin in portraits. It protects highlights almost magically.
- Spectral Sensitivity: Panchromatic. It responds with total naturalness to daylight and tungsten, accepting B&W contrast filters without any problem.
- Grain Structure: Lacking silver after development. When overexposed, its "grain" becomes finer, just the opposite of traditional film.
- Acutance: Medium. Its edges are pictorial and soft, prioritizing elegant tonal transitions over clinical sharpness.
- Resolution (Resolving Power): Very high. Scans of XP2 medium format offer a visual cleanliness that facilitates enormous enlargements.
- Push/Pull Flexibility: Dynamic. You can shoot different frames of the same roll between ISO 50 and ISO 800. It is all developed at the same standard C-41.
- Base Support and Antihalation Layer: Very flat and manageable acetate. Slightly tinted base to facilitate printing on color paper or scanning.
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Why buy your Ilford XP2 120 at Camera Market?
We have been processing thousands of liters of C-41 chemistry in our laboratory for more than ten years. We are a real, active analog laboratory. We know that this chromogenic emulsion requires freshness to avoid color casts in its base. We keep our stock under rigorous thermal control. We dispatch your medium format orders in 24/48 hours with traceability. If you have doubts about how to scan its dye clouds, an expert technician will advise you by phone gladly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ilford XP2 Super in 120
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is developed at any C-41 quick lab in the world. | The dyes have lower archival longevity than pure silver. |
| It allows using the scanner's Digital ICE technology to remove dust and scratches. | Developing it at home with B&W chemicals gives low-contrast results. |
| Various sensitivities (ISO 50 to 800) on the same roll without push processing. | Lack of the "classic grain" for purists of old-school photography. |
Comparison Table: XP2 Super vs. similar 120 films
| Medium Format ISO 400 Film | Process Type | Visual Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 | C-41 (Chromogenic Color) | Soft texture, no silver grain, silky grays |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 120 | Traditional Black and White | Marked classic grain, organic contrast |
| Kodak Portra 400 120 | C-41 (True Color) | Pastel colors, huge latitude, fine grain |
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The giant classics Top sellers in 120.
Find out which films the most agile portrait photographers are shooting. Explore our black and white medium format 120 section to see the store's most coveted ISO 400 films.
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Price range: from 7,35 € to 13,50 €
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The original price was: 19.45 €.18.80 €The current price is: 18.80 €.
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Development Times for Ilford XP2 120 (C-41 Process)
The immense advantage of this film is its worldwide standardization. We show you the fixed laboratory parameters for C-41 chemistry.
| C-41 Chemistry (Any Brand) | Exact Temperature | ISO Exposed in Camera | Developer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard C-41 Developer | 37.8 °C (100 °F) | Between ISO 50 and ISO 800 | 3 minutes 15 seconds |
| *B&W Chemistry (e.g., HC-110)* | 20 °C | 400 | *Emergencies only. Poor results.* |
Camera Market Pro Tip: The optical magic of overexposing
Intuition tells us that ISO 400 films have noticeable grain. Many customers ask us why their Ilford XP2 looks like a high-end ISO 100 with no visible grain at all.
The chemical anomaly of XP2: Unlike traditional silver, where overexposing thickens the grain, the dye clouds of XP2 work the opposite way. The more light it receives, the smaller and denser those clouds become. The master trick of professionals is to set the camera to ISO 200 and shoot calmly. When developed with the normal C-41 process, you get a 6×6 negative with incredibly rich shadows and a texture so smooth and noise-free that it looks like it was shot digitally.
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Physical Behavior and Scanability
We address the ultimate superpower of this medium, which is absolute ecstasy for anyone digitizing medium format at home.
Planarity (Film Curling)
The acetate used in 120 format is extremely noble. When dry, the immense strip stays flat as a board. It slides into your Epson negative carriers with insulting ease. It guarantees a clinical, sharp scan from edge to edge without using ANR glass.
Inversion profiles (Digital ICE)
This is its magic trick. Since it contains no silver, the scanner's infrared light can pass through it. You can enable the Digital ICE function (automatic dust and scratch removal) in your scanning software. This is impossible with a traditional black and white. You'll save hundreds of hours cloning dust specks in Photoshop.
To the Limit: Extreme Exposure and the Zone System
Discover the immense lighting freedoms of this chromogenic film to secure your frames.
The Reciprocity Failure
It suffers a controllable light fatigue. From 1 second onward, it requires some compensation. If your light meter dictates 10 seconds, the emulsion will require about 25 actual seconds. We strongly recommend using a tripod and cable release for your medium format night shots.
Extreme Push Processing and ISO Change «on the Fly»
You don't need to «push» the development. You can shoot photo 1 at ISO 50, photo 2 at ISO 400 and photo 3 at ISO 800 on the same 120 roll. It will all be developed at the same standard C-41 time (3:15 min). The film compensates for the differences through the density of its dyes. It's pure creative freedom.
Dynamic Range Map
It has a wild tolerance to overexposure. It's a wall against blown highlights. It withstands up to three or four stops of overexposure while retaining textures in the sky. Underexposure generates muddy shadows, so always meter in favor of abundant light.
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Zero dust guaranteed Digital ICE Service.
Let the machine work for you. Send us your exposed XP2 roll for impeccable C-41 processing and TIFF scanning with Digital ICE technology that will erase 100% of dust specks and scratches.
Request Development + Digital ICE
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Camera Market Pro Tip: The telltale purple mask
Sometimes, customers receive their Ilford XP2 Super 120 back from the quick lab and notice that the film base has a strong pink or purple cast, which makes inverting the black and white difficult when scanning.
Our lab's diagnosis: This is not the fault of your camera or the film. XP2 contains sensitizing dyes that must be expelled by the C-41 chemicals. If that lab's Bleach-Fixer (Blix) bath is exhausted, or the final wash time was insufficient, the film retains that purple dye. To fix it at home, simply leave the film soaking in clean water at 20ºC for a few minutes, and you'll see how the water turns pink, leaving your negative perfectly neutral and easy to scan.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 (FAQ)
Why develop black and white with the C-41 color process?
C-41 chemistry is the universal standard. This allows you to take your Ilford XP2 to any commercial lab or minilab and have it developed quickly and economically, without depending on the times or costs of specialized artisan black and white labs.
Why can I use Digital ICE with this film and not with other B/W films?
Digital ICE uses infrared light to remove dust and scratches. Traditional silver films block infrared and confuse the scanner. XP2, being a chromogenic film, replaces the silver with dyes during development, allowing immaculate automatic scanning.
Is it possible to shoot at different ISOs on the same roll?
Yes, thanks to its incredible exposure latitude. XP2 allows you to vary the sensitivity between ISO 50 and 800 on the same roll without needing to adjust the development time. The emulsion records useful information in almost any lighting condition within that range.
How much does it cost to develop this roll at Camera Market?
Since it is processed via the standard color route, we apply our base C-41 rate for 120 format, the most economical in our catalog. It's a fast and safe process that guarantees consistent results. Check our website to add high-resolution scanning.
Can I develop XP2 with traditional black and white chemicals?
Technically you can, but it's not recommended. When using developers like Rodinal or D-76, the negative ends up with very noisy grain, poor contrast and an opaque base that prevents you from taking advantage of the film's benefits, such as using Digital ICE when scanning.
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Develop color at home C-41 Chemical Kits.
Control the process yourself. Use our advanced Bellini or Cinestill C-41 Color Development Kits to process the XP2 comfortably in your kitchen while maintaining temperature control.
68,58 €
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Streamline your workflow without losing the analog aesthetic
The Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 is the master trick of modern wedding photographers and demanding portraitists. Its fast C-41 processing, its astonishing lack of visible grain and the magical possibility of removing dust with Digital ICE will save you hundreds of hours of post-production. Don't let traditional chemistry slow down your deliveries. Add this versatile chromogenic film roll to your cart right now and benefit from our insured 24/48-hour shipping. Remember that our lab specialists are ready to process your large negatives under the strict thermal standard of the C-41 process.
120 Ilford XP2 Super 400 is in <strong>perfect working condition</strong>. Each unit has been rigorously inspected by our specialized technical team, guaranteeing optimal performance.
The specific cosmetic condition (possible signs of use, superficial scratches, etc.) is detailed in the actual photos of the product and in the full description.
The purchase includes the 120 Ilford XP2 Super 400 and a <strong>warranty</strong> against manufacturing defects. As this is a second-hand product, accessories (caps, lens hood, case…) <strong>vary by unit</strong>.
Want to know exactly what this specific unit includes before buying? <strong>Message us via the website chat</strong> and we'll confirm right away.
All our products include a <strong>warranty</strong> covering any manufacturing defect or technical failure.
<strong>You can extend the warranty of your item:</strong>
- <strong>12 months</strong> of full coverage for only <strong>{price_12}</strong> (one-time payment)
- <strong>24 months</strong> of maximum peace of mind for <strong>{price_24}</strong> (one-time payment) — <em>recommended</em>
We also offer <strong>14-day no-questions-asked returns</strong>. If you're not completely satisfied, you can return it for a full refund.
At Camera Market, most of our items are imported from Europe, so orders can take up to <strong>14 calendar days</strong> to arrive at your address.
However, we offer expedited delivery of <strong>4 to 5 business days</strong> for selected products with immediate availability. All shipments include a <strong>tracking number</strong> so you can track your order in real time.
Comprar the 120 Ilford XP2 Super 400 reacondicionado y certificado en Camera Market te ofrece <strong>múltiples ventajas</strong>:
- <strong>Significant savings:</strong> Prices up to 40-60% lower than new, without compromising quality or performance
- <strong>Guaranteed quality:</strong> Each product is inspected, tested and verified by specialized technicians
- <strong>Warranty included:</strong> standard coverage, extendable with the optional extension
- <strong>Sustainable purchase:</strong> You contribute to the circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of electronics
- <strong>Accessible professional equipment:</strong> Get high-end models at more competitive prices
Our refurbished photography equipment maintains the same optical and technical performance as new. Depreciation does not affect image quality or performance, only the price.
