Last Updated on 07/05/2017 by Chris Gampat
Ilford has been making their Ilford XP2 super single use camera for a while now, but with the resurgence that the industry is seeing in using disposable cameras, I figured I’d review them. Call it a disposable camera if you will, but they’re the only black and white disposable cameras on the market with the exception of the new offerings from Lomography. Oddly enough, they were also designed to be developed C41 vs black and white. Well, that’s odd for some–Ilford XP2 can typically be shot at around ISO 50 to ISO 800 on the same roll and due to the process, the images will come out pretty well. The Ilford XP2 super single use camera makes a whole lot of sense for fun, but there’s also quite an interesting quality that would please me if it were used for concerts, documentary work, or even just weekend shenanigans.
Indeed, the Ilford XP2 super single use camera is very much the antithesis of what a lot of film photographers strive for with absolutely perfect quality and sharp lenses. Instead, this camera is a slap in the face to them–and instead it’s just about a look and getting a different reaction from your subjects.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- C41 development means you can take it to a lab and they’ll deal with it. In this case, Lomography developed the film for us–thanks folks!
- Small
- There’s almost no thought involved
- Fairly wide angle
- Powerful flash
- Fun!
- Affordable
Cons
- For some folks, they’d probably prefer to develop black and white film themselves at home.
Gear Used
There’s absolutely nothing to use this camera with.
Tech Specs
Specs for the Ilford XP2 super single use camera are taken from Ilford’s website
Single use, black & white camera with 27 exposures of XP2 SUPER film and a built-in flash. It can be processed on the high street (in C41 chemistry).
- Single use camera
- XP2 SUPER black & white film
- 27 exposures
- Built in flash
- Convenience of C41 processing
- 30mm f9 lens
Ergonomics
The Ilford XP2 super single use camera is boxy. It looks a whole lot like so many other disposable cameras out there and retains a lot of that charm. so when you look at the front, you’ll find almost nothing except a plastic front to protect the camera, the 30mm lens f9 lens, the viewfinder, the flash, and the flash charging button.
Move to the top of the Ilford XP2 super single use camera and what you’ll spot here is the shutter button and the frame counter. Nothing more, let’s move on.
The back shows you how to actually use the camera, the frame advance wheel and the red light that lets you know when the flash is ready to fire.
Build Quality
Honestly, more cameras need to take on the ergonomic appeal of the Ilford XP2 super single use camera and other disposables. Granted, it’s not the best feeling camera out there but it’s light, small, portable, and feels nice in the hand. Again, it’s all about fun here.
Ease of Use
So essentially you’re keeping in mind that you’ve got a 30mm f9 lens, ISO 400 film and going about shooting with the Ilford XP2 super single use camera. There are certainly situations where you need to flash, so basically just think about that. Would you want to shoot at a slow shutter speed that probably isn’t possible with a disposable camera or do you mind using the flash?
In my testing, I often used the flash on friends when they weren’t expecting it. It’s brighter than you’d think, so be careful.
Metering
This lens is f9 and you’re shooting at ISO 400. You’re surely going to need the flash at times though the Ilford XP2 super single use camera doesn’t ever automatically detect that the way that some Kodak cameras have in the past.
So basically, if you’re in a spot like the subways, know that you’re still going to get a fast shutter speed so you’ll need to use the flash.
If you don’t use the flash in a dark situation, you’ll get something like this.
Image Quality
The Ilford XP2 super single use camera has a 30mm f9 lens. And in the majority of situations I really like the image quality that I get. There are some great reasons to use the flash as the images you create will look just all that much better. Our image gallery below will explain all that.
Extra Image Samples
Conclusions
Believe it or not, I think that the Ilford XP2 super single use camera really needs a professional or extremely experienced photographer that understands metering and how light works to make the most of it. Amateurs, unless they’re always in good lighting or truly understand when you need a flash, may probably get less keepers on their 27 film shot roll.
But either way, I strongly recommend buying an Ilford XP2 super single use camera. They’re fantastic.
