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Choose ILFORD SFX 200 for extended-red sensitivity and the dramatic effect of a deep red filter; choose HP5 Plus for its one-stop nominal speed advantage, general-purpose use, and documented push-processing latitude. The available manufacturer descriptions do not establish a controlled grain winner, so the right choice depends more on the look and shooting conditions you want than on a proven grain ranking.
At a glance: SFX 200 vs. HP5 Plus
| Feature | ILFORD SFX 200 | ILFORD HP5 PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal speed | ISO 200/24°. ILFORD’s November 2018 technical information says the rating was measured with ID-11 at 20 °C/68 °F using intermittent agitation in a spiral tank. ILFORD SFX 200 technical information | ISO 400/27° nominal. ILFORD HP5 PLUS product information |
| Primary character | Extended-red response, up to 740 nm in ILFORD’s technical information; intended for infrared-style effects with suitable filtration. ILFORD SFX 200 technical information | General-purpose, high-speed black-and-white film for varied conditions, including available light. ILFORD HP5 PLUS product information |
| Manufacturer’s grain and contrast language | Moderate contrast and wide tonal range; no matched grain result against HP5 Plus is established in the cited material. ILFORD SFX 200 technical information | Fine grain and medium contrast; these are product descriptors, not a controlled comparison with SFX 200. ILFORD HP5 PLUS product information |
| Push-processing statement | Normal developers are supported; a comparable push-processing figure is not stated in the cited technical information. | ILFORD says speeds up to EI 3200/36 are achievable with MICROPHEN. EI is a working exposure index, not a new ISO rating. ILFORD HP5 PLUS product information |
| Formats listed by ILFORD | 35mm and 120. ILFORD SFX 200 technical information | 35mm, 120, and sheet film. ILFORD HP5 PLUS product information |
Which film is faster and more flexible in low light?
HP5 Plus has the speed advantage: its nominal ISO 400 rating is one stop faster than SFX 200 at ISO 200. All else equal, that can mean using a shutter speed twice as fast or an aperture one stop smaller at the same exposure. Actual results still depend on exposure, development, and the photographer’s chosen working speed.
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That speed and HP5 Plus’s general-purpose positioning make it the more straightforward choice for changing light, handheld documentary work, travel, or action. SFX 200 is not unusable outside bright conditions, but its distinct reason to choose it is the extended-red look rather than a speed advantage.
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Is Ilford SFX 200 infrared film?
Not in the usual sense of a conventional true-infrared film. ILFORD describes SFX 200 as having extended red sensitivity reaching up to 740 nm, and its “infra-red style” product wording refers to the effect it can produce with filtration. The distinction matters: its red-filter results do not mean it records infrared in the same way as a film designed for true-infrared photography.
#1 Best Overall
- Capture Spontaneous Moments in Rich, Warm Color: Kodak Gold 200 is famed for its vibrant, sunny hues and forgiving nature, ensuring your everyday snaps turn out beautifully, even if your lighting or settings aren’t perfect
- The Perfect Film for Beginners & Enthusiasts: With high exposure tolerance and reliable 200 ISO, this 35 mm film roll delivers stunning results in both daylight and indoor settings without hassle, making it the ideal choice to learn with or simply enjoy
- Shoot More, Spend Less: This practical 3-roll bundle means you’re always prepared. Keep your camera loaded and never miss a shot, whether you’re documenting a full vacation or just want a single Kodak film in your bag for months of spontaneous captures
- Bring Your Memories to Life: Experience the classic, warm color reproduction and fine grain that make Kodak Gold 200 35mm film a favorite. It excels at rendering lush greens, bright yellows, and skin tones, giving your photos a timeless, joyful feel
- Versatile for Every Camera and Occasion: From point-and-shoots to professional SLRs, this camera film ensures versatility across portraits, travel, and daily life, making it the one film you can always rely on for stunning clarity and dependable results
ILFORD contributor Scott Allen’s article illustrates SFX 200 images made with a 720 nm filter and discusses the boundary between red and infrared. Those images are an attributed example, not a standardized test or a guarantee that every scene will render identically. Scott Allen’s ILFORD article on SFX 200
What does a red filter do on SFX 200?
SFX 200’s defining effect is its response to deep red filtration. ILFORD says a very deep red filter can make blue skies nearly black and most green vegetation nearly white, producing a strong tonal separation that ordinary panchromatic film does not reproduce in the same way.
Rank #2
- 2 rolls of film
- ISO 400
- 35 mm
- 36 poses
- Black and white film
Filter choice matters. A conventional red filter and a very deep or near-infrared filter have different spectral cutoffs and light losses; neither the filter label alone nor the film stock guarantees a particular result. Illumination, scene colors, exposure, and the film’s response all affect the rendering.
Expose for the specific filter
Do not assume one universal filter factor for SFX 200. Use the factor supplied for the exact film-and-filter combination, or meter through the lens where appropriate while accounting for the camera meter’s spectral response. The available ILFORD technical information includes a spectral-sensitivity chart, but a complete filter-factor table is not established here, so a precise general-purpose factor would be misleading.
Rank #3
- ISO200, 36EXP
- 35MM Color Negative Film
- C-41 Processing
- DX Coded
HP5 Plus can also be used with ordinary contrast filters, but a red filter does not turn it into SFX 200: HP5 Plus does not share SFX’s documented extended-red response.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which has finer grain or stronger contrast?
ILFORD calls HP5 Plus “fine grain” and “medium contrast”; it describes SFX 200 as having moderate contrast and a wide tonal range. These are useful qualitative descriptions of the films, but they do not answer which one produces finer grain in a particular camera and output workflow.
Rank #4
- Superior Performance: for kodak gold 200 film has excellent latent image retention characteristics, excellent consistency and excellent processing robustness.
- Excellent Effects: for kodak gold 200 film has high clarity and high resolution, excellent general purpose photography and excellent magnification.
- Professional Design: for kodak gold 200 color negative film is designed for daylight and electronic flash exposures.
- Low Speed Color Negative: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is a low speed color negative.
- Compact Size: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is small and compact, easy to store and carry, easy to use.
The cited material does not provide a numerical grain comparison, matched enlargements, or a same-scene test under controlled conditions. A fair comparison would hold format, scene, lens, exposure, filter, development, and output size as constant as practical. Grain and apparent contrast also vary with exposure, developer, dilution, agitation, scanning or enlargement, and final output.
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Best Value
- Ilford 1780624 Delta 100 Professional Black-and-White Film, ISO 100, 35mm 36-Exposure (2 Pack)
Which one should you choose?
- Choose SFX 200 if extended-red sensitivity and deep-red-filter effects—especially very dark skies and pale vegetation—are the goal.
- Choose HP5 Plus if you want ISO 400 nominal speed, a versatile general-purpose stock, or the manufacturer’s stated push-processing option with MICROPHEN.
- Do not choose by an assumed grain winner: the available manufacturer descriptions do not establish a controlled SFX 200-versus-HP5 Plus grain ranking.
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