Buying guide
Best Black and White Film in 2026: 7 Stocks for 35mm and 120
The short answer
The best black and white film for most photographers is Ilford HP5 Plus 400, a forgiving ISO 400 all-rounder that US shops sell for $8.75 to $9.99 a 36-exposure roll (October 2026).
Choose Kodak Tri-X 400 for a punchier, grittier classic look, Kentmere Pan 400 to spend less, Ilford XP2 Super if only a color (C-41) lab is nearby, and Ilford Delta 3200 for night shooting.
- Best overall
- Ilford HP5 Plus 400, $8.75-$9.99 a roll (Oct 2026)glazerscamera.com
- Develops at a color (C-41) lab
- Ilford XP2 Super (C-41, ISO 50-800 on one roll)glazerscamera.com
- New name for Kodak T-Max
- Ektapan, since March 24, 2026photographytalk.com
- Delta 3200 measured speed
- ISO 1000 (sold as EI 3200)en.wikipedia.org
- CVS black-and-white turnaround
- About 3 weekses-reg2.cvs.com
- Kodak Tri-X introduced
- 1954, in 35mm and 120fstoppers.com
The best black and white film to buy in 2026
This guide covers black-and-white film for cameras, not black-and-white movies. Camera Dojo has not shot these stocks yet: the picks come from where owners and reviewers agree (Popular Photography, ARTnews, Fstoppers, photographers Tim Layton and Gregory Couch, retailer customer notes) plus the makers' own specs. Prices are for one 36-exposure 35mm roll at US shops unless marked, checked October 2026.
Ilford's copy describes HP5 Plus as an ISO 400, medium-contrast, all-purpose film for action, documentary and available light, and Popular Photography named it the best black-and-white film for beginners because it gives lots of leeway on exposure. Fstoppers notes it comes out of the scanner flatter and lower in contrast than Tri-X. Ilford says it responds well to push-processing up to EI 3200 (see how to push film), so one film covers sunny days and dim rooms.
Watch out: Tim Layton warns that underexposed HP5 Plus scans badly, so give the shadows enough light.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, popphoto.com, fstoppers.com, timlaytonfineart.com, reformedfilmlab.com, glazerscamera.com
Kodak calls Tri-X the world's best-selling black-and-white film, and Fstoppers dates it to 1954 in 35mm and 120. ARTnews editors call it their favorite film for pretty much every situation, Popular Photography picked it as its best grainy film, gritty and easy to develop at home, and Gregory Couch found it had the best balance of contrast of the three 400-speed films he compared. Kodak also recommends it for push-processing; HP5 vs Tri-X goes deeper on how the two favorites differ.
Watch out: Glazer's Camera listed its Kodak Professional (Alaris box) 35mm Tri-X as sold out in October 2026, while the Kodak Eastman Professional version was available.
Sources: imaging.kodakalaris.com, fstoppers.com, artnews.com, popphoto.com, gregorycouch.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, filmphotographystore.com, glazerscamera.com
Kentmere is made by Harman Technology, the company behind Ilford, and the maker pitches Kentmere 400 at beginners and people returning to film for its wide exposure latitude. Gregory Couch's verdict was that Kentmere is the best choice if you need a budget film, and Tim Layton lists Kentmere Pan 100, 200 and 400 as his best budget films. For cheap practice rolls, 24-exposure Kentmere Pan 100 and Pan 200 were $6.99 at the Film Photography Project store.
Watch out: Tim Layton finds it less refined than T-Max 400 or Delta 400, and at $8.49 versus $9.99 at Glazer's it saves only $1.50 a roll over HP5 Plus.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, gregorycouch.com, timlaytonfineart.com, reformedfilmlab.com, filmphotographystore.com, filmphotographystore.com, glazerscamera.com
- 04
Kodak Ektapan 400 (formerly T-Max 400)
Best fine grain at ISO 400 and best for scanning
$10.99-$14.25 (35mm, Oct 2026)
Kodak sold T-Max 400 as the sharpest and finest-grained 400-speed black-and-white film in the world, and Kodak's Ektapan 400 product copy repeats that claim. Tim Layton ranks T-Max 400 first overall for hybrid workflows, where you develop and then scan, calling it the best all-around handheld hybrid film. Pick it when you want ISO 400 flexibility with cleaner files than HP5 Plus or Tri-X.
Watch out: One Analogue Wonderland customer reports it gets grainy surprisingly quickly where parts of the frame are underexposed, so meter for the shadows.
Sources: imaging.kodakalaris.com, glazerscamera.com, timlaytonfineart.com, analoguewonderland.co.uk, filmphotographystore.com, reformedfilmlab.com
XP2 Super is a true black-and-white film that develops in the same C-41 chemistry as color negative film, so a lab that runs color negative film can process it. Ilford says you can shoot it anywhere from ISO 50 to 800 on the same roll and still process it as standard C-41, which makes it very forgiving of exposure mistakes.
Watch out: At $12.99-$16.99 a roll it costs more than HP5 Plus, so it pays off mainly when a black-and-white lab is out of reach.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, filmphotographystore.com, reformedfilmlab.com
Ilford sells Delta 3200 as the world's fastest black-and-white film, with a nominal EI 3200. Measured by ISO methods its speed is only ISO 1000, and Tim Layton rates it around EI 800 to 1600 for better shadow detail in scans, so treat 3200 as a push. If you prefer Kodak, it pitches P3200 (sold as T-Max P3200, now Ektapan P3200, $14.99 at Glazer's) for handheld street scenes, night work and dim venues where you can't use flash.
Watch out: Rate the whole roll at one speed, whether Tim Layton's EI 800 to 1600 or Ilford's EI 3200, and tell your lab which one you used.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, en.wikipedia.org, timlaytonfineart.com, imaging.kodakalaris.com, glazerscamera.com, reformedfilmlab.com
- 07
Ilford FP4 Plus 125
Best slow film for bright light, landscapes and detail
$11.50-$11.99 (35mm, Oct 2026)
FP4 Plus is an ISO 125 film that Ilford says has superb exposure latitude above and below box speed, so it can be pushed or pulled. If you want the cleanest scans instead, Kodak calls T-Max 100 (now Ektapan 100, $12.50 at Pictureline) the world's finest-grained 100-speed black-and-white film, and Ilford says Delta 100 ($15.99-$16.25) gives strong results rated anywhere from ISO 50 to 200.
Watch out: Popular Photography's rule of thumb saves ISO 100 film for bright, sunny days, so indoors you will want a tripod or a faster film.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, reformedfilmlab.com, timlaytonfineart.com, imaging.kodakalaris.com, pictureline.com, glazerscamera.com, reformedfilmlab.com, popphoto.com
How to choose black and white film
Five questions narrow the list fast: how much light you shoot in, what look you want, who will develop the film, which format you use, and what you want to spend per roll.
Tim Layton's advice for a first order is a small starter set rather than ten films at once: T-Max 100 for clean, detailed scans, FP4 Plus for classic tonality, and HP5 Plus or Tri-X for everyday 400-speed shooting.
- Light. Popular Photography's rule of thumb is ISO 100 film for a bright sunny day, 400 for overcast, and 1600 or 3200 late at night. If you buy one speed, ISO 400 covers the most situations, and HP5 Plus or Tri-X can be pushed when the light drops. More on speeds in film ISO explained.
- Grain. Traditional-grain films such as Tri-X and HP5 Plus show more grain and character; tabular-grain films such as T-Max (Ektapan) and Delta look cleaner. Tim Layton puts it simply for 35mm: fine-grain films give cleaner files, traditional films give more character.
- Contrast. Fstoppers describes Tri-X as arriving with punchy contrast baked in, while HP5 Plus is flatter straight from the scanner.
- Who develops it. Regular black-and-white film needs a lab with black-and-white chemistry or a home kit; XP2 Super can go to a color lab. The lab section below has the details.
- Format. HP5 Plus, Tri-X and Kentmere Pan 400 also come in 120 for medium format cameras, at $7.49 to $9.99 a roll at Glazer's Camera in October 2026. See 35mm vs 120 film if you are deciding between formats.
- Budget. Kentmere, Fomapan and Lomography Berlin Kino cost under $9 a roll in 35mm; Delta 3200, Pan F Plus 50 and XP2 Super run up to $16.99.
Sources: popphoto.com, timlaytonfineart.com, fstoppers.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com
Black and white film stocks compared: ISO, look and price
The table adds the specialty stocks reviewers mention most. Prices are the lowest and highest seen for a 36-exposure 35mm roll at Glazer's Camera, Reformed Film Lab, the Film Photography Project store and Pictureline, checked October 2026. B&W means black-and-white chemistry; C-41 means the color process any photo lab runs.
| Film | Box speed | Look and best use (maker or reviewers) | Process | Price, 35mm 36 exp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ilford HP5 Plus | ISO 400 | Medium contrast, all-purpose; push to EI 3200 | B&W | $8.75-$9.99 |
 Kodak Tri-X 400 | ISO 400 | Gritty grain, punchy contrast; good for pushing | B&W | $8.99-$10.25 |
 Kentmere Pan 400 | ISO 400 | Wide latitude, budget pick | B&W | $8.49-$8.50 |
| Kodak Ektapan 400 (T-Max 400) | ISO 400 | Sharpest, finest grain at 400 (Kodak); top scanning film (Tim Layton) | B&W | $10.99-$14.25 |
 Ilford XP2 Super | ISO 400 | Shoot ISO 50 to 800 on one roll | C-41 | $12.99-$16.99 |
| Ilford Delta 3200 | EI 3200 (ISO 1000 measured) | Low light; built to be pushed | B&W | $16.50-$16.99 |
| Kodak Ektapan P3200 (T-Max P3200) | P3200 | Night, street and dim venues without flash | B&W | $14.99 |
| Ilford FP4 Plus | ISO 125 | Classic tonality; push or pull | B&W | $11.50-$11.99 |
| Kodak Ektapan 100 (T-Max 100) | ISO 100 | Finest-grained 100-speed film (Kodak) | B&W | $12.50 |
 Ilford Delta 100 | ISO 100 | Good results rated ISO 50 to 200 | B&W | $15.99-$16.25 |
| Ilford Delta 400 | ISO 400 | Rated for ISO 200 to 1600 | B&W | $15.99 |
| Fujifilm Neopan Acros II | ISO 100 | Pushes to 400 for more contrast (Popular Photography) | B&W | $12.00 |
| Ilford Pan F Plus 50 | ISO 50 | High contrast, very fine grain; studio and bright light | B&W | $16.99 |
| Fomapan 400 Action | ISO 400 | Fine 1 stop over or 2 stops under without changing development | B&W | $8.99 |
| CineStill BwXX | ISO 250 | Eastman Double-X movie film; up to ISO 1600 with adjusted development | B&W | $14.99 |
| Ilford Ortho Plus | ISO 80 | Orthochromatic: sensitive to blue and green, can be handled under a deep red safelight | B&W | $15.99 |
| Rollei Retro 400S | ISO 400 | Extended infrared sensitivity | B&W | $11.99 |
| Lomography Berlin Kino 400 | ISO 400 | Low contrast, highly prominent grain (ARTnews) | B&W | $8.90 |
Kodak Alaris boxes still say T-Max, while Eastman Kodak's boxes of the rebranded line say Ektapan; shops sold both in October 2026.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, popphoto.com, glazerscamera.com, imaging.kodakalaris.com, timlaytonfineart.com, glazerscamera.com, en.wikipedia.org, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, reformedfilmlab.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, artnews.com
Who can develop black and white film?
Regular black-and-white film needs black-and-white chemistry, and some labs do not run it. CVS says black-and-white film takes approximately three weeks, and Mpix says it cannot process true black-and-white film such as T-Max or Ilford. Our guide to developing film at CVS, Walgreens or Walmart covers the drugstore options.
There are three ways around that. Shoot Ilford XP2 Super, which goes through the same C-41 process as color film, so a color lab can handle it. Or mail your rolls to a lab that develops black-and-white: The Darkroom in San Clemente, California charges $11 for develop only, the same price as color, and Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas lists 35mm black-and-white developing starting at $7.50.
The third option is to develop it yourself. Unique Photo calls black-and-white generally the most approachable and cost-effective process for home developers, and a monobath such as CineStill Df96 works at room temperature, 68-82F. Our guide to developing film at home covers the gear and the steps.
Sources: es-reg2.cvs.com, mpix.com, glazerscamera.com, thedarkroom.com, dwaynesphoto.com, dwaynesphoto.com, uniquephoto.com, cinestillfilm.com
Is Kodak T-Max discontinued? It is now called Ektapan
No. Since March 24, 2026, Eastman Kodak sells the T-Max line as Ektapan 100, Ektapan 400 and Ektapan P3200, and it renamed Portra as Ektacolor at the same time. PhotographyTalk reports the reason: Kodak Alaris owns the Portra and T-Max trademarks.
Tri-X kept its name because it was not exclusive to Alaris, but it now ships in Kodak Eastman Professional boxes. Digital Camera World and PhotographyTalk both describe Ektapan as a rebrand of T-Max.
Both boxes overlap in shops for now. In October 2026 Glazer's Camera listed Alaris-boxed T-Max 400 in 35mm as sold out while Ektapan 400 was $12.95, and the Film Photography Project store sold both T-Max 400 and Ektapan 400 at $10.99.
| Kodak Alaris name | Eastman Kodak name |
|---|---|
| T-Max 100 | Ektapan 100 |
| T-Max 400 | Ektapan 400 |
| T-Max P3200 | Ektapan P3200 |
| Tri-X 400 | Tri-X 400 (unchanged) |
Sources: photographytalk.com, digitalcameraworld.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, filmphotographystore.com, filmphotographystore.com
Is black and white film cheaper than color?
Mostly, when you compare it with Kodak's professional color film. The 36-exposure black-and-white rolls in this guide cost $8.49 to $16.99 at US shops in October 2026, while PhotographyTalk lists Kodak's Ektacolor Pro 160 (the renamed Portra line) starting at $16.99 a 35mm roll.
Lab work can cost more. LensLurker found that developing and scanning a 35mm black-and-white roll averages 19% more than C-41 color, though some labs charge the same: The Darkroom's $11 develop-only price applies to both. The full lab price table is in how much it costs to develop film.
Bulk film saves money, but how much depends on the stock. ARTnews notes a 100 ft roll equals more than 18 rolls of 36 exposures. Kentmere Pan 100 in 100 ft was $102.99 at Glazer's, about $5.72 a roll or 16 cents a frame if you count 18 rolls; a boxed 24-exposure roll of the same film was $6.99 at the Film Photography Project store, about 29 cents a frame. HP5 Plus in 100 ft was $167.99, about $9.33 a roll or 26 cents a frame, versus $9.99 for a boxed 36-exposure roll, about 28 cents a frame. ARTnews adds that you load bulk film onto cassettes yourself with a bulk loader, which takes time.
Sources: photographytalk.com, lenslurker.com, thedarkroom.com, artnews.com, glazerscamera.com, filmphotographystore.com, glazerscamera.com
Black and white film prices at US stores
| Seller | Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reformed Film Lab (online) | Ilford HP5 Plus, 35mm 36 exp | $8.75 | Sale price; regular $9.75 |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Ilford HP5 Plus 400, 35mm 36 exp | $9.99 | In stock |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Ilford HP5 Plus 400, 120 roll | $9.99 | |
| Film Photography Project store | Kodak Tri-X 400, 35mm | $8.99 | |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Kodak (Eastman) Professional Tri-X 400, 35mm 36 exp | $10.25 | Alaris-boxed version sold out |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Kodak (Eastman) Professional Tri-X 400, 120 roll | $8.79 | |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Kentmere Pan 400, 35mm 36 exp | $8.49 | |
| Glazer's Camera (Seattle, WA) | Kentmere Pan 400, 120 roll | $7.49 | |
| Film Photography Project store | Kentmere Pan 100, 35mm 24 exp | $6.99 | Kentmere Pan 400 at the same price was sold out |
| Film Photography Project store | Kodak Ektapan 400, 35mm | $10.99 | Renamed T-Max 400 |
| Pictureline (Salt Lake City, UT and Boise, ID) | Kodak Ektapan 400, 35mm 36 exp | $13.50 | |
| Film Photography Project store | Ilford XP2 400, 35mm | $12.99 | C-41 process |
| Reformed Film Lab (online) | Ilford Delta 3200, 35mm 36 exp | $16.50 | |
| Reformed Film Lab (online) | Ilford FP4 Plus, 35mm 36 exp | $11.50 |
Prices checked October 2026. They change often.
Questions people ask
Which is better, HP5 Plus or Tri-X?
Neither wins outright, and Gregory Couch called it a toss-up. Fstoppers describes Tri-X as arriving with punchy contrast and Popular Photography picked it as its best grainy film, while HP5 Plus is flatter and gives beginners lots of exposure leeway. HP5 Plus costs slightly less in 35mm ($8.75-$9.99 versus $8.99-$10.25 in October 2026); in 120, Tri-X was the cheaper of the two at Glazer's, $8.79 against $9.99. Couch's own roll went the other way on contrast, with HP5 Plus showing stronger contrast than Tri-X; [HP5 vs Tri-X](/film/hp5-vs-tri-x/) compares them in detail.
Sources: gregorycouch.com, fstoppers.com, popphoto.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com
Can you push HP5 Plus to 1600 or 3200?
Yes. Ilford says HP5 Plus was formulated to respond well to push-processing and can be rated up to EI 3200. Set that speed for the whole roll and tell the lab or adjust your home development to match. If you know you will shoot at 1600 or above all night, Delta 3200 is built for it.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com
What is the finest grain black and white film?
Kodak calls T-Max 100, now sold as Ektapan 100, the world's finest-grained 100-speed black-and-white film, and T-Max 400 (Ektapan 400) the finest-grained at 400. Ilford Pan F Plus 50 is another fine-grain option: Ilford describes it as super sharp with very fine grain, for studio work and bright natural light.
Sources: imaging.kodakalaris.com, glazerscamera.com
What is the best black and white film for scanning?
Tim Layton ranks Kodak T-Max 400 first for hybrid workflows, where you develop film and scan it, and suggests T-Max 100 for clean, detailed scans. He recommends HP5 Plus or Tri-X for everyday 400-speed shooting and warns that underexposed HP5 Plus scans badly. For Delta 3200, he finds it strongest for scanning when rated around EI 800 to 1600; our [guide to scanning film at home](/developing/scan-film-at-home/) covers the scanning side.
Sources: timlaytonfineart.com
Is Kentmere 400 as good as HP5 Plus?
It is close but not equal. Both come from Harman Technology, Ilford's maker; Gregory Couch called Kentmere the best choice for a budget film, while Tim Layton finds it less refined than T-Max 400 or Delta 400. At Glazer's in October 2026 it was $8.49 against $9.99 for HP5 Plus.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, gregorycouch.com, timlaytonfineart.com
Does Kentmere come in 120?
Yes. Glazer's Camera listed Kentmere Pan 400 in 120 at $7.49 a roll in October 2026, and Harman makes Kentmere Pan 200 in 35mm, 120 and 100 ft bulk lengths. That makes it the cheapest of the main medium format picks.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com
What is the best black and white film for landscapes?
Slow, fine-grain film suits landscapes in good light: Ilford Pan F Plus 50 for bright natural light, Ektapan 100 for the finest grain, or FP4 Plus 125 for a classic look with room to push or pull. Ilford Delta 100 is another option, with good results rated anywhere from ISO 50 to 200.
Sources: glazerscamera.com, imaging.kodakalaris.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com
Which black and white film has the most grain?
Kodak Tri-X is the classic grainy film: Popular Photography picked it as its best grainy stock for its gritty look. ARTnews describes Lomography Berlin Kino 400 as low contrast with highly prominent grain. In general, traditional-grain films such as Tri-X and HP5 Plus show more grain than tabular-grain films such as Ektapan and Delta.
Sources: popphoto.com, artnews.com
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. How we choose and check sources is in our methodology.
Show all 29 sources
retailer 16
- Analogue Wonderland: Our top 6 B&W 35mm films
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford HP5 Plus 35mm 36 exp
- Glazer's Camera: Kodak Eastman Professional Tri-X 400 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Kentmere Pan 400 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Kodak Eastman Professional Ektapan 400 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford XP2 Super 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford Delta 3200 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford FP4 Plus 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford Pan F Plus 35mm
- Glazer's Camera: Ilford Ortho Plus 35mm
- Film Photography Project store: Kodak Tri-X 400 35mm
- Reformed Film Lab: Ilford HP5 35mm
- Pictureline: Kodak Ektapan 400 35mm
- The Darkroom: Developing only
- Dwayne's Photo: Services
- Unique Photo: Best 35mm film for beginners, color vs black-and-white
Editorial reviews 5
official 4
Independent blogs 3
Manuals and references 1
Keep reading
Film stocks
HP5 vs Tri-X: reviewers find Tri-X 400 punchier, HP5 Plus flatter and more forgiving. Grain, pushing, developing times and October 2026 US prices.
Film stocks
How to push film: what a stop means, what to set on your camera, how to tell the lab, one-stop fees from $0 to $4, home development times and how to pull film.
Developing and scanning
How to develop film at home: the gear and chemistry you need with October 2026 prices, black and white and C-41 steps with times, and fixes for bad negatives.
Developing and scanning
Yes, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart still develop 35mm film and disposable cameras. Prices, wait times, formats and if you get negatives back, checked Oct 2026.
Film stocks
Where to buy 35mm film online in the US: B&H, CineStill, FPP, Midwest Photo and camera shops that ship. Kodak Gold 200 ran $8.49 to $9.49 in October 2026.
Film stocks
35mm vs 120 film: common 120 frames are 2.7 to 5.4 times bigger than 35mm but give 8 to 16 shots a roll. Cost per frame, lab prices and which to pick.
