Ilford has given one of its best-known black-and-white films a rather stealthy makeover, launching a new limited-edition version of Delta 400 Professional in 35mm.
At first glance, the big difference is obvious: the familiar packaging has been replaced by an all-black cassette and matching carton that looks considerably more dramatic than the standard roll. However, this is not simply a collector-friendly redesign, as Ilford has also made a subtle but potentially very interesting change to the film itself.
The Collector's Edition Delta 400 Professional is coated onto a clearer roll-film base complete with anti-halation protection, marking the first time Ilford has used this particular construction on one of its black-and-white 35mm films. According to Ilford, the result is a series of small improvements in dynamic range, shadow detail, scanning performance, halation control, and overall sharpness.
Delta 400 was already designed as a fine-grain, high-sharpness ISO 400 film, so these are refinements rather than a completely new photographic look, but they could make this version particularly interesting for photographers who regularly digitize their negatives.
Importantly, Ilford has not changed the fundamentals of Delta 400. The limited edition retains the same ISO 400 speed, familiar characteristics, and processing times as the standard film – meaning anyone already accustomed to shooting and developing Delta 400 should be able to load a roll without having to change their usual workflow.
Standard Delta 400 has always been a particularly versatile black-and-white stock, combining relatively high speed with fine grain and making it suitable for everything from available-light photography to documentary, street, and fine-art work.
Perhaps the most refreshing part of the release is that Ilford is not charging a premium simply because the words “limited edition” are on the box. The new version is being offered at the same price as standard Delta 400 Professional, although quantities are described as very limited and it will only be available while stocks last. In the US, the limited edition has been listed at $15.99 per roll at B&H, while UK retailer Wilkinson Cameras currently has the 36-exposure film listed at £15.99.
There may also be a little more behind this release than Ilford simply wanting to give Delta 400 a new look. The company reportedly explained in response to photographers on Instagram that the limited run is effectively a test to see what people think of the clearer base and whether there is enough demand to justify producing it again.
Ilford indicated that a positive response could potentially see the film return as a regular product, although a permanent version would likely cost more because of the additional manufacturing involved.
For now, though, this feels like one of those rare limited editions where the interesting part is not really the packaging at all. There is a genuinely different piece of film inside the cassette - and for black-and-white shooters, that makes it considerably more tempting.
