[JMitchell]

It says it has 'C41 convenience'. I know this means it can be processed using colour processing chemicals, but does that mean you can't process it in black and white chemicals?

[Les Meehan]

Stick to C41 colour neg processing since this is what the film is designed for and thus will produce the best results that way. As far as I remember (someone correct me if wrong, it is a long time since I messed with XP film, stick to MS XP now ), you can process in normal BW chemicals (the first development stage of both processes are to produce the silver-halide image) but I wouldn't recommend it really. You end up with a silver-based neg whereas you should obtain a dye-based neg which will be much smoother grained.

Les

[JMitchell]

Unfortunately I don't have much choice, just wanted to see if I'd made a mistake, which it looks like I have. I can only process in BW dev cos that's all the school's got, but I guess I could take any rolls I use (if I actually use the film) to a developer....

Oh well Thanks for the info Les.

[Dabhand16]

I've not bought B&W film for, well, lets say a long time, but Ilford and Agfa were the choice for most people for most situations then. Kodak Pan F had very fine grain if you could cope with the 50 ISO!

[silkstone]

I believe that part of the reason Ilford XP2 was introduced was that very few high-street processors could handle conventional b/w film any longer, so here was a b/w film designed for standard C41 colour processing. Also it is supposed to give lower grain as Les said.

I've no idea if you can use b/w processing but it probably isn't recommended.

[Dave Canon]

I stopped using B&W film about 8 years ago but prior to that I used XP2 for many years and XP1 before that. When these chromgenic films were introduced by Ilford then Kodak, I do not remember any reference to "C41 convenience". At the time these films were introduced 20+ years ago the plus points were fine grain and high speed. The films could be processed by C41 chemical (colour negative) because XP1/2 is a dye based film similar to colour film. However, I do remember there were some subtle differences in times which is why sending such films to a high street processor was not a good idea. I always processed my own along with colour negative fim but using the recommended times.

Strictly, the developer is much the same as for a black and white film but after that you must use a colour Bleach/fix when links the dye and removes the silver image.

As far as I know you can still get home C41 chemicals.

[Les Meehan]

You could always use the old adage: when all else fails, do a test! Why not ring ilford or search the web for information about deving XP2 in normal BW chemicals

Suck it and see is the norm when in doubt!

Les

[JMitchell]

Thanks for that Les. Seeing as the school provide film anyway (did anyone tell me?....no....), then I might try and take it back and switch for regular HP400, but thanks again for the info, very interesting!