Ilford SFX anyone?

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tomtodeath

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1. has anyone used this film?
2. does anyone know where it can still be found??
3. tips on processing would also be appreciated!

thanks in advance!!
 
I want to try some in 120.... There's been info about it on APUG, direct from Ilford. Sounds like it's being produced in batches, occasionally, and may not be made again in 120 size. Check APUG.
 
1. Yes I have used it, and it is a very interesting film
Quite grainy for a normal film, but excellent as a semi-IR film

2. It can be found ocasionally, not sure where though
Simon Galley said they'll make it once a year or so, just like the defunct Konica IR

3. I like to shoot it in rangefinders, because you can compose through the RF and have a 720 filter in front of the lens.
Expose as EI 12 and develop according to the instructions provided.

google marco pauck, he has a great comparison of IR films.
 
The film speed cameras which grow like mushrooms on UK road verges employ a near IR film for fog/mist penetration (I think) so someone must be making lots. I think it is Ilford and it may be SFX...

While I drive carefully lots of other people dont, so supply is probably secure.

Noel
 
I used two rolls a three years ago. The first one, shot with a red filter and a polarizer (old photographer's advice) didn't really render the results I expected. I shot the second as a regular B&W, and found it incredibly contrasty (like a good Ilford film) and very sharp. I didn't develop it back then, but I'd like to lay my hands on a small batch now that I can soup my own.

In other words, don't expect very IR-like results, but if you expose it, do it at the nominal ISO speed because, surprise, this one is a regular B&W film (with a touch of Orthochromatism; that is, sensitive to reds). Hence, there's no need to shot it at small apertures or focus on a special, different scale.

Good luck and enjoy the film when you find it! :)
 
Rollei is selling a film with what sound like similar characteristics to SFX 200. It's not cheap, but then it isn't going to sell by the ton either. Maybe this is an option?
 
I have two 100 ft. rolls in my freezer. I have exposed 20+ rolls total over time with generally good but not remarkable results.

Recently, though, I had very poor results when using an 89B filter. I guess the film's sensitivity doesn't quite reach far enough in the IR range for good results with this filter. All frames are seriously underexposed -- to the point that I'm just going to toss the developed film.

I had both rolls listed on eBay and had one bid at my minimum price of $75 per but I pulled it thinking that I would want to use the film.

Now I am considering relisting it again and sticking with Tri-X or XP2.
 
maybe ill check out the rollei instead? is it as hard to use as HiE? i was wanting the sfx for using with just a red filter, so that maybe i could get some printable negatives with it, as opposed to my many failures with hie, and money down the drain..(13 bucks a roll~!) thanks!
 
SFX with a red filter should be fine. But don't expect anything close to the dramatic IR images possible with HIE.

The Rollie IR film, from what I know, will produce closer to HIE images than SFX but still not nearly as dramatic. On the plus side, you don't have any of the handling issues that you have with HIE.

For b&w IR, there is nothing that truly compares with HIE. It is a wonderful film but it is a pain to use... But worth it under the right circumstances and I have had a fair amount of good luck using it.
 
Simon Galley posted this on APUG:
Dear All,

I promised to update APUG on the progress of this project before breaking for the Christmas Holidays. As you may recall we announced that is was our intention to bring back this product in 35mm only and coat in Q3 or Q4 2006. Well obviously we are about to exit Q4, why the delay ?

Well we have delayed because it is our intention to return both 35mm AND 120 SFX to the range and also to make available the SFX filter once again. I have to say one of the main reasons for the return of 120 was from feedback received from the APUG community.

I can report that the emulsion make has been completed successfully and that coating for both products is scheduled for Tuesday 16th January 2007, does that mean its available ? NO IT MOST CERTAINLY DOES NOT, it must go through stringent quality processes, and if it fails those quality control measures at any stage, then it will be destroyed, and a further coating will then have to be rescheduled for a later date.

The manufacturing, ageing and testing process itself means we will not have a go / no go for finishing into cassettes and rolls before the end of January, as soon as I have that information I will make sure the APUG community know the status the same day I do.

If it all goes to plan we should expect to see ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology SFX back in retail outlets by the end of March 2007, perhaps a little later for markets such as Australia, New Zealand and Latin America.

So please do not ask your resellers for this product before they know the re-launch dates and plans and until I tell you its a go. As we have always planned we will make enough product to last 12 months, and then review if we coat this product annually.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited:
Click to expand...

SFX is back!
 
O.K., here's a question- I was looking at a website that compared I.R. films, as well as giving examples taken with various types of filters. Evidently Ilford used to sell a filter for use with SFX 200. I liked the results taken through that the best; no filter or #25 red filter gave only very subtle infrared looking images, but the SFX specific filter images looked much more like we're used to seeing from I.R. film.
So my question- I haven't found any of these filters for sale, presumably they've been discontinued. Does anyone know of a good alternate that is readily available? Or where to get an Ilford one? I'd prefer a threaded filter to the square plastic type.
 
Wratten used to make a deep red filter for 720nm cut off frequency - 29 was ht enumber

Hoya has one, and Cokin/Ilford had the square one


Bryce said:
O.K., here's a question- I was looking at a website that compared I.R. films, as well as giving examples taken with various types of filters. Evidently Ilford used to sell a filter for use with SFX 200. I liked the results taken through that the best; no filter or #25 red filter gave only very subtle infrared looking images, but the SFX specific filter images looked much more like we're used to seeing from I.R. film.
So my question- I haven't found any of these filters for sale, presumably they've been discontinued. Does anyone know of a good alternate that is readily available? Or where to get an Ilford one? I'd prefer a threaded filter to the square plastic type.
Click to expand...
 
Jerevan, Titrisol-
Thank you both. The Ilford sheet is (as usually) quite informative and specific. I think I'll try to track down a Hoya or B+W bersion of the "very deep red" filter.
 
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