XP2 and C41 labs question...

[AndrewG]

Hi, my first post and I have a question; I want to try Ilford XP2 b&w film and I'm interested in people's experiences with results from automated labs.
Also, although the film is nominally rated at 400ISO I have heard that better, more contrasty results can be achieved by rating it at 200ISO-does the lab need to know in advance what the film has been rated at?
Thank you.

 

[Stillsky]

I've used XP2 and was generally pleased with the end product coming back from the lab.

You should let the lab know in advance.

 

[randerson07]

Ive shot one roll of it and liked it. You can see some of the results here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randerson07/sets/72157604769874855/
They are the 10 black and white shots near the end of this set.