Film specifications#
- Manufacturer
- ORWO
- Film
- NP 27
- Speed
- 400
- Process
- ORWO 1100 (B&W)
- Formats
- 135, 635-36, SL, 127, 120, 220, 620, sheet film
- Base
- Triacetate
- Made in
- GDR
- Status
- Discontinued — replaced by ORWO PAN 400
Character & history#
General purpose ultra high speed (for its time) super panchromatic film. Sheet film available with glossy back. Due to its extended red sensitivity, NP 27 could be exposed at EI 800/30° in artificial light.
Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exposure guide at ISO 400#
Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/400 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 | — | — | — | 1/1000 s |
| EV 15 · Bright sun | — | — | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s |
| EV 14 · Hazy sun | — | — | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright | — | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s | 1/125 s |
| EV 12 · Overcast / open shade | — | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/60 s |
| EV 10 · Sunset | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/60 s | 1/15 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior | 1/250 s | 1/60 s | 1/15 s | 1/4 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 1/30 s | 1/8 s | 0.5 s | 2 s |
| EV 3 · City street at night | 1/8 s | 0.5 s | 2 s | 8 s |
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 200 | Lower contrast, finer grain |
| Push 1 stop | EI 800 | More contrast and grain |
| Push 2 stops | EI 1,600 | Strong contrast, coarse grain, blocked shadows |
| Push 3 stops | EI 3,200 | 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 400.
- AgfaPhoto APX 400 ISO 400
- Argenti ARF+ Reporter Film Plus ISO 400
- Bergger Pancro 400 ISO 400
- Film Photography Project Derev Pan 400 ISO 400
- Film Photography Project New Classic EZ400 ISO 400
- Film Photography Project Svema Foto 400 ISO 400
- Film Photography Project THE MUMMY 400 ISO 400
- Film Washi 'Z' ISO 400
- Flic Film Flic UltraPan 400 ISO 400
- Foma Fomapan 400 Action ISO 400
- Foma Ortho 400 ISO 400
- Holga 400 ISO 400
- Ilford DELTA 400 ISO 400
- Ilford HP5 Plus ISO 400
- Ilford PAN 400 ISO 400
- Ilford XP2 Super ISO 400
- JCH Streetpan 400 ISO 400
- Kentmere PAN 400 ISO 400
More ORWO films#
Frequently asked questions#
What ISO is ORWO NP 27?
400 — set your meter to ISO 400 for box speed.
Is ORWO NP 27 still made?
No, it has been discontinued (1964–c1992).
How do I develop ORWO NP 27?
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 27 available in 35mm?
Yes — formats: 135, 635-36, SL, 127, 120, 220, 620, sheet film.
Sources & licences#
- Wikipedia: List of discontinued photographic films — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources