Ilford XP2 Super 400 produces excellent results using either method.

Many labs now only develop in C-41 chemicals so it can also be cheaper to. All C41 film scans well regardless of the process used to develop the film, most modern film scanners compensate for the darker negatives produced by the C41 process. Develops with C-41 chemicals (same as colour) but the results are black and white.Results in excellent image quality, however C41 films do not have good archival properties as the dyes on the film will fade over time.The resulting negatives are dark and more difficult to print in a traditional darkroom. This is the same for all C41 films, chromogenic black and white or color. The images on the film are the result of dyes on the film activated during the C41 development process.All silver is removed from the film during the BLIX stage of the C41 process.Results are incredibly fine grained images with slightly elevated contrast.There is a slightly purple hue to the film base on Ilford XP2 Super 400 which doesn’t impact printing in a traditional darkroom setting. If you have several rolls to send out at once you can save on postage. If you convert to black & white after scanning the quality will be far better than you would get if you process the film in conventional black & white chemistry.

• C41 chemicals are removed from the film during the standard black and white process resulting in a relatively clear negative.

Even cheap C41 color or slightly past date will deliver good results in C41 chemistry.Silver on the film is retained, thereby increasing the archival properties of the film.

The results of tests developing and scanning Ilford XP2 Super 400 using both processes are shown below.If printing the images in a traditional darkroom is planned, film development using the standard black and white process is recommended.If there are particularly valuable photographs on a roll where enhanced archival properties are desired, film development using the standard black and white process is possible.If darkroom availability or time is limited, for instance while travelling, any C41 lab can process film quickly with excellent results.Convenience of either standard process or C41 process.Why Use C41 Chromogenic Black and White Film?

C 41 process black and white film