EFKE films inquiry

R

RogerinVegas

Guest
Hi, has anyone used or is using Fotokemika Efke film?
If so how did it work for you?
I just ordered some in 25, 50, and 100, well not just, it came this past friday, I am just ready to use it, maybe this weekend.
Was wondering if you shot it at the suggested speed?
If you developed it yourself how did it go as far as time, temp, aggitation, etc.
Did you use a filter?

Any tips or info would be much appreciated.
I noticed the seller "Freestyle" suggested using a hardener in the stop or fix, did anyone develop without, with no problems?

I appreciate any comments.
Roger
 
Have used 25 and 50 from Efke and it is an amazingly SHARP. The film exhibits rich DEEP BLACKS that are better than PanF IMHO.

Go to Photgrapher's Formulary and order the Beutler formula for development, it will definately bring out the best attributes of the film.

As far as the hardener, I use Kodafix because Efke is such a thin emulsion film.

Hope this helps...

Scott
 
Great film.

I shot it at the recommended speed. Check the massive development chart for developers and timings.
 
I use the 25, 50 and 100 in roll film, plus the 25 and 100 in sheet film form.

The ISO 25 film is just lovely. I use Rodinal 1+100 for 17 minutes with reduced agitation and get lovely, rich, grain-free results. I always shoot at box speed. I have shot the 25 at 100 (forgot to reset the meter), but that pushed well - I think it was about 25 or 30 minutes in Rodinal 1+100

I like the 100 version too, although perhaps not to the same extent as the 25. Always get nice skies, even without filtration. For this I use Rodinal 1+100 for 20 minutes, shot at box speed.

I never had any edge fogging or frame number burn-throughs (red window advance) anywhere in Europe, but I find I do need to take far more care with the sun down here in NZ. Mind you, the same applies (to a lesser extent) to other films here as well.
 
I ordered a first batch of EFKE film end of last year from efke.nl. Delivery is promised for this week! I took the 100ART (this is the equivalent of the ADOX film) and the 400PRO (seems to be a 'new technology' film, which is equivalent to HP5+).

A couple of weeks ago, a RFF user gave me his development times:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=434987&postcount=7

They're for Rodinal 1+50 with mild agitation, but I think I'll be trying Rodinal 1+100 with stand development as well, certainly for pushing.

No clue however about using hardener. Just using some generic fixer currently. I didn't see any reports yet about results being NOT OK without hardener, so I'll try without first.

Groeten,

Vic
 
FWIW, it's regarded as a fact that Efke 400 is repacked HP5+ (APUG/RFF).

The slower films are made from old recipes and incorporates a pretty thick gelatin layer which is easily scratched when wet, hence the recommendation for hardening fixer. Be extra careful after washing when removing the film from the spool and drying it.
 
Thank you all for the information, really looking forward to using this film.
I registered for an Independent study in Black and White here at UNLV our local university. I am not sure of what chemicals are being used as the developing lab is not opened until late next week sometime. (Which gives me time to take some images anyway.) But hopefully the chemicals are useable for EFKE films and I get excellent results. I am really excited to take this class, moreso excited to get back into the darkroom and do some printing.

There is just so much confusion on developers, fixers, hardners, times, aggitation, I almost feel clueless. I am sure when I get into the developing lab, I will have a better sense of what to do. In the mean time I will try to collect any charts or sheets that I can, and hopefully the chemicals match somehow. My next issue will be scanning the film or my prints, since I have an old garbage scanner. So maybe I will be able to share some images in a few weeks, I think the classroom next to the lab has computers and scanners, but I am not sure if it will be accessible to me.

Anyhow I sincerely appreciate everyones comments and tips.

Roger
 
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