Ilford SFX200

huehnerhose · 2007-03-01T23:24:00+00:00

Hallo, ich hab gerade in der aktuellen Photopresse gelesen, dass Harmann den Ilford SFX200 neu auflegt (ich kannte den Film bis dato nicht). Scheint aber in...

huehnerhose

Hello, I’ve just read in the latest issue of Photopresse that Harman is re-releasing the Ilford SFX200 (I wasn’t familiar with this film before). It seems to have some interesting features, though. To mark the launch, there’s apparently going to be a value pack containing three rolls of film and a red filter. 1. Does anyone remember this film from the old days and could briefly say whether it’s actually worth a try? 2. Does anyone have any information about the value pack (price, what sort of filter, etc.)? Best regards Sebastian

cfb_de

Hi Sebastian, I just have to have a bit of a dig at this film. > 1. Does anyone still remember this film from the old days and could briefly say whether it’s actually any good? Yes, I know this film. Yes, it was ‘interesting’. It was also expensive, as my prints on it ended up with streaks, dots, and even worse. Unfortunately, all of that happened to me too... High-contrast material, proven to be easy to process in high-temperature procedures, and extremely tolerant during exposure. I wouldn’t use the film for landscapes, but for driver portraits, on the other hand... Seriously though: the extended red range has something to it. Every now and then I also like to snap a few shots with repurposed TSF. > 2. Does anyone have any info on the Value Pack (price, what sort of filter, etc.)? Even with the new edition, I can only really imagine Value Packs being used by the authorities... Suitable filters should be found on the metal boxes marked ‘Traffipax’. By the way, there’s usually a robot inside. Not a bad camera. Drive past, get a feel for it, accept the insurance premium hike. Bagged the speed camera and tested the film;-} Okay, no chance. At the moment, it’s probably more likely to be a TC27 in the public sector’s speed camera boxes. But this film is also good (and is internationally acclaimed in a similar form by a Stapelfeld-based company that shall remain nameless, and sold as a premium camera film packed in little wooden boxes. How true. At least 40 euros per shot...). Best regards, Franz

Klaus_H

Hello Sebastian! Franz’s post only partly gets to the heart of the matter. The SFX is a film with sensitivity extending into the near-infrared range. Its maximum speed is at 720–730 nm. When used with an RG715 filter, images with the Wood effect can be achieved in suitable weather conditions. Plant greenery appears light/white and the blue sky turns black. Unlike true infrared films such as Kodak HIE, normal contrast is retained. The usable speed of the film when using the RG715 filter and performing development in Ilford DDX is approximately 25–20 ASA. SFX does not have the infrared properties of the old Maco IR 820, but in my opinion it produces significantly better results than the IR material marketed under the Rollei name. Best regards, Klaus

cfb_de

The SFX is a film with sensitivity extending into the near-infrared range.

Hi Klaus, Exactly. Unlike ‘proper’ IR films such as Kodak’s HIE, the SFX200 is a traffic surveillance film. Like all these films, which are sold to us photographers as having an ‘extended red range’. We’re just secondary users. Best regards, Franz