Only Once a Year Ilford Let’s You Order Ultra Large Format Films…That Time is NOW!
May 8, 2026
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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Every year, Ilford Photo permits photographers to stock up on uniquely-sized film for exotic cameras and experimental projects. These film formats fall outside the typical 4×5, 5×7, and 8×10 format framework.
Instead, the Ilford Ultra Large Format (ULF) program is offered once per year for photographers to order oddball sized film formats in standard emulsions. Think 20×24-inch HP5, for example, or 16×20-inch Delta 100.
While you can’t “invent” your own format, the vast array of available ULF formats are bound to satisfy every photographic need. There are just three rigid parameters to remember for obtaining your required ULF film.
Big, Black & White, and Beautiful
First, there is a specific timeframe for ordering ULF film. If you’re requesting orthochromatic film, then the deadline for placing your order is May 12. Similarly, if you require FP4, HP5, or Delta 100 film, then your deadline for ordering is June 3.
Once you know your film emulsion, then you must select your format. In this case, orthochromatic films are available in 25 sheet packages with sizes ranging from 10×12-inches to 16×20-inches. Plus there are two 20-inch (or, 50.8cm) bulk rolls available, too.
Conversely, there is a large assortment of sizes available for the panchromatic FP4, HP5, and Delta 100 emulsions. In fact, a couple of very attractive packages featuring 3.25-x4.25-inch sheet film in FP4 emulsion, as well as 70mm x 50-foot (double perforation) bulk roll of HP5 are featured this year.
The third and final requirement is that you must place your ULF order with an Ilford-approved dealer. Luckily, DIYP has discovered that Blue Moon and Machine LLC will be offering a ULF order portal.
For your reference, here are a couple of prices for the above mentioned ULF products:
- Ortho 10×12-inch/25 sheets $432.99
- Ortho 16×20-inch/25 sheets $1,165.99
- Ortho 20-inch x 50-foot $2,019.99
- FP4 3.25-x4.25-inch/25 sheets $150.99
- HP5 70mm x 50-foot $450.99
A complete price list can be found here.
Finally, ULF orders for Orthochromatic films should ship in June 2026. While FP4, HP5, and Delta 100 ULF orders should ship between October 2026 to December 2026. And remember that Ortho ULF deadline is May 12 and the panchromatic ULF deadline is June 3.
Enjoy.
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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