Film photography is a never ending learning process. For some people, that can be a chore but for others, it is what makes it exciting. The film stocks, the developers, the fixers, the cameras, etc…. so much to it but it is all worth it. Sometimes I will start wondering about something film related to the point where I have to give whatever I am thinking about a try. Today’s blog is a good example of that. Ilford XP2 developed in Xtol. Does it work? Keep reading, you will find out.

You’re probably thinking a C41 film developed in B&W developer? Is this guy crazy? Not crazy, just curious. Honestly, it has been on my mind for quite some time. I am very experienced with Xtol but have only shot a couple of rolls of the XP2. I loaded up my Widelux F6 with a 24exp roll of the XP2 and headed to a bad part of town that is known for shootings and robberies. Yes I was hesitant but it is something I have been wanting to do. I was cautious, I was alert, and I was prepared to act in case something went down.

With that said, I managed to walk the street on one side and back on the other without an issue. It was early morning so I was the only one out and about. Anyways, I let the roll of XP2 sit in the Widelux for almost a week before I found time to develop it. As far as rating the film, I went with 200 and for developing, I went Xtol 1:1 for 10 min 30 sec. (First 30 second agitation then 10 seconds every minute). I developed the roll, with the help of my 3 year old daughter, and took the negatives out of the developing tank. Wow, the negatives came out beautiful. I was stoked!

Fast forward a few hours to when it is time to scan. One word comes to mind: WOW I wasn’t sure what to expect but everything was spot on to my eyes. The sharpness, the lack of grain, the tonality, the overall feel to the photos. I really loved what I was seeing. Now you may be asking yourself why in the hell develop XP2 in a B&W developer? Well, for me there are a couple of reasons. For one, sometimes the C41 chemicals are hard to come by. Knowing that I can develop XP2 in Xtol 1:1, I can continue to shoot it knowing I have a way to develop it. Another reason, maybe time. It takes time to setup for C41 but with Xtol, it is quick. So yea, overall I love how the photos turned out. I am going to scratch this experiment off the list, and knowing me I will be adding two more lol Anyways… enjoy.