comparison
Ilford XP2 vs Kodak BW400CN
The two chromogenic black and white films.
The same photograph, same exposure, both looks at full strength. See the untouched original.
The difference
Both are black and white films developed in colour C-41 chemistry, which gives smooth dye-cloud grain instead of silver grain and unusually forgiving latitude. The difference is tone: XP2 sits closer to a true neutral, while BW400CN carries a distinctly warm, almost sepia base. Neither looks like a conventional silver print, and that smoothness is either the appeal or the objection.
Which to use
Ilford XP2
Neutral chromogenic monochrome. Very smooth, very forgiving.
Kodak BW400CN
The same smoothness with a warm, faintly sepia cast.
Side by side
| Ilford XP2 | Kodak BW400CN | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | black & white | black & white |
| Maker | Ilford | Kodak |
| Speed | ISO 400 | ISO 400 |
| Produced | 1980s–present | 1990s–2014 |
| Renderings here | 1 | 1 |
| Download | .cube | .cube |
Try Ilford XP2 on your photo → Try Kodak BW400CN
A comparison on somebody else's reference photograph only tells you so much. Both of these render on your image in the tool, alongside the other 294.