Ilford Delta 400 vs Fomapan Creative 200: 120 Film
By WALKENS House of Film | Published: 2026-10-29
Category: Comparisons
Compare Ilford Delta 400 and Fomapan Creative 200 in 120 format: grain, speed, exposure latitude, and which film suits your shooting style.
Quick answer
If you need a faster film for hand-held shooting and deep shadows, choose Ilford Delta 400; if you prefer a slower, fine-grained film with wide exposure latitude for controlled light, choose Fomapan Creative 200.
Speed and grain: the main trade-off
Ilford Delta 400 is a 400-speed film, giving you two extra stops of sensitivity compared to Fomapan Creative 200's ISO 200. That makes Delta 400 more practical in lower light or when you want to keep a faster shutter speed. The trade-off is that Delta 400's grain is more pronounced than Fomapan's fine grain structure.
Fomapan Creative 200 is a slower film, but its fine grain and high resolving power make it a strong choice for tripod work, landscapes, and scenes where you can control the light. The slower speed means you'll need more light or a longer exposure, but you get smoother tonality in return.
Exposure latitude and processing
Fomapan films are known for wide exposure latitude. The catalog notes that they give good results even when over-exposed by + or – 1 exposure value without any change in processing. That's a forgiving film if you're still learning metering or want to push and pull without altering development.
Ilford Delta 400 is a modern tabular-grain film designed for sharpness and pushability, but the supplied facts don't specify its latitude. If you need that spec, check the manufacturer's datasheet before relying on it for extreme over- or underexposure.
How to choose between them
- Shooting conditions: If you're shooting handheld or in dim light, choose Ilford Delta 400 for its extra speed. If you're on a tripod in bright conditions, Fomapan Creative 200's fine grain will reward the slower pace. Assess your light before you load the camera.
- Grain preference: Fomapan Creative 200 gives you fine grain and high sharpness. Delta 400 will show more grain, which some photographers like for character. Decide whether you want smooth or textured negatives.
- Exposure forgiveness: Fomapan Creative 200 has documented wide exposure latitude, so it's more forgiving of metering errors. If you want a safety net, go with Fomapan; if you meter carefully, Delta 400's speed is a bigger advantage. If you're new to medium format, start with the more forgiving film.
Product facts
- Fomapan Creative 200 120 Film: Fomapan Creative 200 is a panchromatic black and white negative film with fine grain, high sharpness and resolving power, and wide exposure latitude. This makes it a forgiving, fine-grained choice for controlled lighting and tripod work, where you can trade speed for smooth tonality.
Fomapan Creative 200 120 Film - Lomography Color Negative 100 120: Lomography Color Negative 100 is a fine-grained color film with vivid colors and sharpness, designed for sunny outdoor photos. If you want color instead of black and white, this is a bright-light alternative with smooth grain and punchy hues.
Lomography Color Negative 100 120
Who should pick which
Best for
- Ilford Delta 400: photographers who shoot handheld, in low light, or want a faster black and white film.
- Fomapan Creative 200: tripod users, landscape shooters, and those who want fine grain and forgiving exposure latitude.
Not for
- Ilford Delta 400: photographers who prioritize minimal grain and can work with a slower film.
- Fomapan Creative 200: those who need to freeze motion or shoot in dim conditions without a tripod.
