Film specifications#
- Manufacturer
- ORWO
- Film
- NP 18
- Speed
- 50
- Process
- ORWO 1100 (B&W)
- Formats
- 135, 635-36, SL, 127, 120, 620, 116, sheet film
- Base
- Triacetate
- Made in
- GDR
- Status
- Discontinued
Character & history#
General purpose very fine grain panchromatic film. Sheet film available with glossy or matte back.
Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exposure guide at ISO 50#
Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/50 s in bright sun. Negative film tolerates 2–3 stops of overexposure; slide film needs accuracy within about ⅓–½ stop.
| Light | f/2 | f/4 | f/8 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 16 · Snow / beach, bright sun | — | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s | 1/125 s |
| EV 15 · Bright sun | — | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/60 s |
| EV 14 · Hazy sun | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s | 1/125 s | 1/30 s |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/60 s | 1/15 s |
| EV 12 · Overcast / open shade | 1/500 s | 1/125 s | 1/30 s | 1/8 s |
| EV 10 · Sunset | 1/125 s | 1/30 s | 1/8 s | 0.5 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior | 1/30 s | 1/8 s | 0.5 s | 2 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 1/4 s | 1 s | 4 s | 15 s |
| EV 3 · City street at night | 1 s | 4 s | 15 s | > 1 min |
Push & pull options#
Tell your lab how many stops you pushed or pulled so development is adjusted for the whole roll.
| Adjustment | Rate the film at | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Pull 1 stop | EI 25 | Lower contrast, finer grain |
| Push 1 stop | EI 100 | More contrast and grain |
| Push 2 stops | EI 200 | Strong contrast, coarse grain, blocked shadows |
| Push 3 stops | EI 400 | Strong contrast, coarse grain, blocked shadows |
Long exposures#
Most films suffer reciprocity failure beyond about 1 second: they need more exposure than the meter says. As a rule of thumb add ⅓–1 stop for 1–10 s and 1–2 stops beyond 10 s for older emulsions; modern T-grain films (and Fuji Acros) need much less. Check the manufacturer's datasheet.
Similar films#
Other black-and-white negative film around ISO 50.
- ADOX HR-50 ISO 50
- Agfa Copex Rapid ISO 50
- FILM Ferrania Orto ISO 50
- Film Photography Project Eastman Kodak Hi-Fi 2374 ISO 50
- Ilford PANF Plus ISO 50
- Silberra Orta 50 ISO 50
- Silberra Pan 50 /Ultima 50 ISO 50
- Film Photography Project Dracula ISO 64
- Film Photography Project Svema FN64 ISO 64
- Kono! Monolit 64 ISO 64
- Svema ФН 64 (FN 64) ISO 64
- Agfa Isochrom Portrait-Film ISO 50 · disc.
- Efke KB 50 / R 50 / PL 50 M ISO 50 · disc.
- Factory No. 5 Изопанхром (Isopanchrom) ISO 50 · disc.
- Ferrania Pancro P 3 ISO 50 · disc.
- Ferrania U 2 ISO 50 · disc.
- Film Washi 'S' ISO 50 · disc.
- Foma Gradual ISO 50 · disc.
More ORWO films#
Frequently asked questions#
What ISO is ORWO NP 18?
50 — set your meter to ISO 50 for box speed.
Is ORWO NP 18 still made?
No, it has been discontinued (1964–1968).
How do I develop ORWO NP 18?
ORWO 1100 (B&W) process. Traditional black-and-white development (e.g. D-76/ID-11, HC-110, Rodinal, XTOL) — easy to do at home.
Is ORWO NP 18 available in 35mm?
Yes — formats: 135, 635-36, SL, 127, 120, 620, 116, sheet film.
Sources & licences#
- Wikipedia: List of discontinued photographic films — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources