What to do with EFKE IR 820?

[mfogiel]

I am trying to rationalize at least my film stock, as I find it always too difficult to rationalize the lenses and cameras...
I have a 10 pack of 120 and a 10 pack of 135-36 Efke Aura IR 820 in my freezer - the expiry dates are relatively 2010-9 and 2012-1, but since I bought these films they were always in deep freeze, so I suspect are as good as new.
I've noticed these films are out of production now and people are asking exorbitant prices for the last rolls on the bay...
Is there anything, apart from white landscapes, that these films excel at?
Try to convince me I can do something extrordinary with these, otherwise I will just swap them for Tri X.
Thanks
Marek

 

[Pherdinand]

try to google for photos, maybe you get inspired... if not, just swap them for something you know you will use well.

 

[tsiklonaut]

Nothing beats IR820 if you ask me, it works the best with infrared having large grain - the Efke ASA 100 IR film has a bigger and croaser grain than the Rollei ASA 400 infrared. IMHO particulary good is the AURA version, which doesn't have the anti-halation layer creating a dreamy glow around the bright contrasty details. Efke was the last IR film in production without anti-halation layer, I'd kill for anybody to bring it back, even Rollei Infrared would suffice if they'd do their "Aura" version of it. Rollei claims having the "Aura-effect" by overexposing 2-stops - nada or just saleman BS by Rollei, I haven't seen anything remotely near the true "Aura" effect the Efke IR820 Aura or the previous MACO IR820c Aura films created. Unlike a regular B&W it takes some skill to master their exposure and usage in IR, but both were one-of-a-kind films, hence their prices after their discontinuation.

A review of Efke IR820 Aura here.

Some random drumscans from Aura if you still aren't convinced:

. by tsiklonaut, on Flickr













The Road by tsiklonaut, on Flickr












Gifts for the Gods by tsiklonaut, on Flickr












Bromo Rising by tsiklonaut, on Flickr












Auratic Textures II by tsiklonaut, on Flickr
​

Cheers,
Margus

 

[mfogiel]

I"ve seen that shooting this film makes only sense if you do it with an IR filter, and I don't have one and at this point don't intend to buy it.
Regrettably aperture 64 is in the USA, which makes a film swap for a few rolls not worth while. The 120 pack goes to tsiklonaut, and I still have the 35mm pack to swap with somebody interested in EU. To be clear: the swap is roll per roll.
Let me know if anybody would be interested.

 

[charjohncarter]

Personally, i don't like IR with foliage, I used it mostly in the winter when the foliage was gone. Also, portraits can be good but you have to careful of the eyes.

 

[KM-25]

I love IR films, I stocked up huge on 120 and 4x5 when it was still around, should be good for quite some time...

I shot a fair bit of it in 120 on a Spring road trip....