XP2 Opinion

[<dbirkey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

*****************************************************************
Does anyone out there have an opinion (An opinion?  Is he serious? :-) 
)
about Ilford XP2?  I know it can be processed in C-41 developer, but 
I'm
wondering if the prints come out OK on color print paper, i.e. if I 
shoot a
roll & take it to my local 1-hr color lab should I expect to get real 
black
& white or something more like, say, black & bluish-white?

-Jim C.
*****************************************************************

Well,

Hopefully the prints you recieve from XP2 will be fairly neutral to 
slightly brown as that is the way Ilford BW paper looks.  

But it will all depend on who is running the minilab, whether they have 
ever printed XP2 or not and if they have a specific channel set up on 
their printer for XP2.  Many minilabs who target Realtors (their 
BUSINESS that is) will probably be more accustomed to printing the 
film.  We had a Minilab where I used to work and produced really good 
looking prints from XP2, so it is more of a matter of taking the effort 
to create a specific channel or setting on the Minilab printer.  Ask if 
they print it, don't accept wildly off color prints and ask them to 
redo them if they are unacceptable.

The film itself is quite capable of producing high quality 
enlargements, but 8x10s etc. will probably look better printed on BW 
paper by someone who cares.  Some people who enjoy printing but hate 
developing film, use XP2 because in theory, a good minilab will provide 
very consistent processing and negatives without dust permanently dried 
in the emulsion.

Hope this helps,

Duane

PS  For best results, DON'T UNDEREXPOSE XP2, I would overexpose it by 
about a stop or rate it at ASA 200!     


------------------------------