Revisiting Copex Rapid

[Jockos]

Hi all!

Summer vacation is coming up, and I' looking for a second body to keep low speed film in. The freezer still got quite a few rolls of the high resolution film Copex Rapid from Agfa.

I've shoot a few rolls before, with mixed results, all developed in SPUR UR. And from what I've learned so far, it's rather ISO 25 than 50.
The old SPUR data sheet listed ISO 50 for both 35 and 120, then it was revised to ISO 32 for 35mm.

So, what have you guys learned about this film thus far? Any info on filter factors? Reciprocity correction?


Any and all info is welcome 🙂

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=259162

 

[Hatchetman]

I learned I can't tame it with regular developers and I don't want to pay for Spur developers.

 

[Jockos]

I learned I can't tame it with regular developers and I don't want to pay for Spur developers.

Some say it works with cafenol, which is a lot cheaper.

I got the film so cheap that it offset the developer cost 🙂

 

[Hatchetman]

I bought an unperforated bulk roll hoping to use it to roll my own 828 film. Good idea in theory. The Spur developers are VERY pricey in the US. Maybe over there too.

 

[Jockos]

I bought an unperforated bulk roll hoping to use it to roll my own 828 film. Good idea in theory. The Spur developers are VERY pricey in the US. Maybe over there too.

Yes, unfortunately.
One part has short shelf life as well, I think it was the A part, so I'm going to shoot a few rolls (was thinking six or so) before opening the chems!

 

[Jockos]

Since I could not get ahold of more Modular UR, and SPUR refuses to reply to any emails, I decided to go for the Docuspeed SL.

Shot at ISO 25, developed for ISO 40, they still came out thin.. Contrast is good (as in medium-medium low) however, so a lot can be done with them in post!

The info sheet for this developer contains filter compensation info and reciprocity info (in german).

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=263796

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=263794

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=263795

 

[Fernando2]

Hi, I regularly shoot Copex Rapid at 50 ISO and develop it with my variation of Caffenol L-C.
I have so great results, it's the only low speed BW film I shoot now (I used to shoot PanF+ and Acros 100@64).
I measured > 140 lp/mm with a test chart (lens was Zeiss C-Biogon 35/2.8).

So yes, great film at reasonable price. 🙂

 

[Fernando2]

My Caffenol recipe for Copex Rapid.

For 270cc of total liquid:

7g of Soda (Solvay for me)
7g of instant coffee (extra cheap, branded "Simply")
1.7g of pure ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

Develop for 6'30" at 24 Celsius

 

[Jockos]

Well, provide us with some samples then!

😀

 

[Fernando2]

Yes, at the moment I only have this sample (besides resolution charts etc).
A view of Avezzano (Aq, Italy), scanned with a Nikon 8000

Crop at pixel level from the red rectangle:

 

[Jockos]

The tonality is great, but that resolution is far more! Seems you've dialed in the recipe quite well!

 

[Fernando2]

Yes, here the resolution is hindered by the Nikon 8000, which can't actually go past say 65x80 lp/mm (despite what Nikon says). The combination film+developer can register up to 140-150 lp/mm (seen under microscope).

 

[Fernando2]

Here's a higher resolution scan of that same frame portion

Really a LOT of details! 🙂

 

[J enea]

too bad this film isn't available anymore in bulk rolls. I would love to shoot more of it as it seems to lend itself very well to normal developers to get great results.

 

[Hatchetman]

that is unbelievable! I may give it a try.

 

[Thatspec]

Yes, that looks really nice Fernando. I've about 8 rolls left with and am looking to try something different, I'm definitely going to mix some up when I get back home.

Minding posting how you fixed, and do you bother with something like Hypoclean after fixing?