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Top rated black and white photography

AI-generated summary · updated July 27, 2026 · verify details before purchase.

  1. Best overall for versatility

    Ilford HP5 Plus 400

    4.7/5 $8-$10 per roll

    Classic black and white film with wide exposure latitude, fine grain, and excellent tonal range suitable for various conditions.

    • Wide exposure latitude
    • Fine grain
    • Consistent results
    • Not as sharp as some modern films
  2. Best for street photography

    Kodak Tri-X 400

    4.6/5 $9-$12 per roll

    Legendary film known for its classic look, rich contrast, and ability to handle high-ISO pushing.

    • Classic contrast
    • Great pushed to 1600
    • Widely available
    • Grainy at box speed
  3. Best for fine grain and sharpness

    Fujifilm Neopan Acros II 100

    4.8/5 $8-$11 per roll

    Ultra-fine grain and high sharpness make it ideal for detailed landscape and architecture photography.

    • Exceptional sharpness
    • Very fine grain
    • Smooth tones
    • Slow speed limits low-light use
    • Expensive
  4. Best for modern look

    Ilford Delta 400

    4.5/5 $8-$11 per roll

    Advanced tabular-grain film offering fine grain and high sharpness with a more modern, smoother aesthetic.

    • Fine grain
    • High sharpness
    • Good for scanning
    • Less classic character
    • Can be too contrasty
  5. Best for low light

    Ilford Delta 3200

    4.4/5 $10-$13 per roll

    High-speed film capable of ISO 3200, allowing handheld shooting in dim conditions with noticeable grain.

    • Excellent in low light
    • Pushes well to 6400
    • Dramatic grain
    • Grain can be intrusive
    • Less sharp at high speed
  6. Best budget pick

    Fujifilm Neopan Presto 400

    4.2/5 $7-$9 per roll

    Affordable film with classic grain contrast, good for everyday shooting and learning.

    • Low cost
    • Classic look
    • Widely available
    • Less refined grain
    • Inconsistent availability
  7. Best for fine grain at 400

    Kodak T-Max 400

    4.6/5 $9-$12 per roll

    Tabular-grain film offering very fine grain and high sharpness, excellent for scanning and enlargements.

    • Very fine grain
    • High sharpness
    • Good reciprocity
    • Can look clinical
    • Expensive
  8. Best for medium format

    Ilford FP4 Plus 125

    4.7/5 $7-$10 per roll

    Medium-speed film with fine grain and beautiful mid-tones, perfect for portraits and landscapes.

    • Beautiful mid-tones
    • Fine grain
    • Scales well to larger formats
    • Slow for low light
    • Less contrasty
  9. Best for vintage look

    Adox CHS 100 II

    4.3/5 $8-$10 per roll

    Traditional emulsion with a classic, grainy look reminiscent of older films, great for artistic work.

    • Vintage character
    • Good tonal range
    • Unique look
    • Lower sharpness
    • Not for high-contrast scenes
  10. Best value pick

    Kentmere 400

    4.1/5 $5-$7 per roll

    Budget-friendly film with decent grain and contrast, good for experimenting and high-volume shooting.

    • Very affordable
    • Decent quality
    • Good for beginners
    • Less consistent
    • Lower dynamic range

Buying advice

When choosing black and white film, consider your subject and lighting: slow films (ISO 100-125) for landscapes and studio work with fine grain, medium (ISO 400) for versatility, and fast (ISO 800+) for low light or grainy artistic effect. Also think about processing ease - Ilford and Kodak films have wide developer support, while specialty films may require specific chemistry.

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