Ilford SFX

[asianhombre]

So:

I thought I had used all of Ilfords films at one point or another, but this one is new to me.

I had some limited experience years ago with Kodak HIE in photography class, (though now I guess it's no more), but IR film is kind of a hassle and I read that the SFX gives near IR results without the normal issues, ie pressure plate problems, infrared sensors, having to load the film essentially in a darkroom, etc...

I'm curious if anyone has used it, and can comment on any issues they've had. The Ilford SFX tagged group on Flickr shows some extreme high-contrast shots. I know this would be fun to throw into my Hawkeye, but anyone like to use this film in their Leica? And for what kinds of use?

-M

 

[charjohncarter]

I have a roll in my Rolleiflex now; first roll. I'm using a 5x red filter, and shooting at 40 EI. I'm really not going for the IR look, just the haze cutting and darkened sky look. I shoot one roll of now Efke IR820 since HIE is gone per year. With this I go all the way with a Hoya R72 filter. I will see what comes out on the SFX, we have finally had some rain here so I haven't been shooting the SFX.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I think you should rate it at ISO 200 and shoot it with a #25 red filter. Wait to see nice, sunny days, and use it in scenes with abundant green and blue. It will darken the blue and lighten the green... somewhat.

Keep in mind that it's not a real IR film. It's designed to mimic the IR effect only. In fact, you can shoot it with a regular yellow filter and the results are very nice, contrasty and pleasing. Needs no special developing, so if you soup your own, you can develop it yourself.

 

[gdi]

Ilford used to offer an opaque filter for use with it - I think similar to an R72. You may not get much IR effect with a 25a...

 

[BTMarcais]

You won't see too much effect with the 25a filter, you should really use at least a 29 red with it. You CAN use one of the lighter opaques, nothing stronger than 720nm cutoff though. (since the Ilford isn't much more sensitive than that anyway). 690nm filters work well. The film is more sensitive to the far red spectrum than regular b/w emulsions, but far less sensitive than HIE was. A fun film to use nonetheless.