B&W Film on UK High Street?

[digitaldave]

I'm totally new to B&W photography, so I'd be grateful if I could get some recommendations for good quality B&W film that is:

a) easily available on the UK high street and
b) easily processed by high street labs (I don't have access to a dark room to do my own processing 🙁).

IIRC, I should be looking for C41 process film, is that correct?

BTW, this is for use in my Canonet QL17 GIII if that makes any difference 🙂.

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[ballfresno]

Ilford's XP2 is readily available and most 1 hr photo places will process it (with varying levels of quality of course). I use XP2 in my Canonet often.

 

[telenous]

Processing XP2 (as well as any other chromogenic B&W) will be cheaper than conventional B&W. 7dayshop.com delivers from Guernsey to mainland UK at prices that are about half the High Street RRP. The XP2 costs £2.05, my local Snappy Snaps has it around £4.99.

 

[markinlondon]

XP2 is definitely the way to go. The Kodak product has an orange backing that makes it harder to print traditionally should you go down that route in future. You might like to shoot half your first roll at box speed and half at a stop over (EI200-250) to see which you prefer. I like it at about 250.

 

[Goodyear]

If you can find a Jessops that still carries film, they should have a roll or two on the shelf.

 

[Steveh]

I like Fuji CN400, which is the Fuji equivalent of XP2 but with a bit more contrast. I get mine online from Mailshots (www.mailshotsuk.co.uk I think) and have it processed and scanned to CD at Boots (who use Fuji machines) for £9