Film suggestions

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-27-2018, 10:25 AM

Until she went digital recently my wife was the C-41 film user.
I always liked the results she got with Kodak Ultramax 400.

Chris

leekil · 05-27-2018, 08:28 PM

I recommend Portra and maybe Cinestill 5., for color.

The first B&W roll you run through your Pentax SFX should be Ilford SFX.

**Alex645** · 05-27-2018, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by leekil

The first B&W roll you run through your Pentax SFX should be Ilford SFX.

Haha....I hope the OP doesnʻt take this suggestion seriously. Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage, didnʻt really have an ISO or EI rating, but I would use it around ISO 12....but with an R72 IR filter, you lose at least another 5+ EVs.

I havenʻt tried the Rollei infrared B&W film, but when Ilford SFX came out with an ISO 200 rating and not needing cold storage handling, I had high expectations. Yes, it sort of works and sort of replicates b&w infrared, but I never got it at the same ethereal quality as traditional IR.

Anyone try both the Ilford SFX and Rollei Infrared 400 and can compare and comment?

disconnekt · 05-27-2018, 10:34 PM

If you wanna go cheap on the b&w side, go with Kentmere (especially if you plan to do bulk loading/developing at home down the road)

leekil · 05-28-2018, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by Alex645

Haha....I hope the OP doesnʻt take this suggestion seriously. Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage, didnʻt really have an ISO or EI rating, but I would use it around ISO 12....but with an R72 IR filter, you lose at least another 5+ EVs.

It isn't *really* full IR film, it is more IR sensitive than other films, but is still visible-light-sensitive as well. It gives you an interesting look compared to other B&W films shot normally (without an IR filter), but not a full-blown IR one.

**Alex645** · 05-29-2018, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by Alex645

Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage,

Ilford SFX came out with an ISO 200 rating and not needing cold storage handling, Yes, it sort of works and sort of replicates b&w infrared, but I never got it at the same ethereal quality as traditional IR.

Originally posted by leekil

It isn't *really* full IR film, it is more IR sensitive than other films, but is still visible-light-sensitive as well. It gives you an interesting look compared to other B&W films shot normally (without an IR filter), but not a full-blown IR one.

Yes, I know this as stated previously. Or are you (leekil) responding that the Rollei IR, is like Ilford SFX...but ISO 400 instead of 200? Or the Rollei without a filter is like the SFX with a filter?

leekil · 05-29-2018, 01:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

Yes, I know this as stated previously. Or are you (leekil) responding that the Rollei IR, is like Ilford SFX...but ISO 400 instead of 200? Or the Rollei without a filter is like the SFX with a filter?

I haven't used the Rollei (yet). But this guy has examples of both films:

Finding film part 11: ILFORD SFX 200 | EMULSIVE
Finding Film part 10: Rollin' Rollei Retro 80S and 400S | EMULSIVE

But now we're getting off topic!

johnha · 05-29-2018, 03:08 PM - **1 Like**

Decide whether you want monochrome or colour slides or colour prints. Most colour print films are very similar, slight variations in contrast, colour saturation and then ISO speed, but C41 processing and printing is a great leveller. Colour slides fall into either punchy types like 'new' Velvia or more subtle types like Provia, Sensia (if still available) or Ektarchrome (about to be re-released?). The best slide film (Kodachrome) is no more and the rest fall into the above categories (E6 processing is also leveller).

Monochrome is a different animal - you have 'old' technology (FP4+, HP5+, Tri-X), 'new' technology (Delta, T-Max) and Chromogenic (XP2 Super, BW400CN which can be developed in a C41 mini-lab) to choose from, each can be developed for different characteristics by using different development. Choice may depend on your location (I'm in the UK so Ilford is easiest to get). XP2 is widely regarded as a very versatile film - my preference is for FP4+ or HP5+ unless I'm after very low light where Delta 3200 excels.

At the end of the day, it's about shooting and unless you have very specific expectations/requirements, any film is a very good start - there's a learning curve and the mistakes will likely be the same whichever film you use.

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05-27-2018, 10:25 AM	#31
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Until she went digital recently my wife was the C-41 film user. I always liked the results she got with Kodak Ultramax 400. Chris

05-27-2018, 08:28 PM	#32
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	I recommend Portra and maybe Cinestill 5., for color. The first B&W roll you run through your Pentax SFX should be Ilford SFX.

05-27-2018, 10:26 PM	#33
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by leekil The first B&W roll you run through your Pentax SFX should be Ilford SFX. Haha....I hope the OP doesnʻt take this suggestion seriously. Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage, didnʻt really have an ISO or EI rating, but I would use it around ISO 12....but with an R72 IR filter, you lose at least another 5+ EVs. I havenʻt tried the Rollei infrared B&W film, but when Ilford SFX came out with an ISO 200 rating and not needing cold storage handling, I had high expectations. Yes, it sort of works and sort of replicates b&w infrared, but I never got it at the same ethereal quality as traditional IR. Anyone try both the Ilford SFX and Rollei Infrared 400 and can compare and comment?

05-27-2018, 10:34 PM	#34
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	If you wanna go cheap on the b&w side, go with Kentmere (especially if you plan to do bulk loading/developing at home down the road)

05-28-2018, 09:02 PM	#35
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Originally posted by Alex645 Haha....I hope the OP doesnʻt take this suggestion seriously. Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage, didnʻt really have an ISO or EI rating, but I would use it around ISO 12....but with an R72 IR filter, you lose at least another 5+ EVs. It isn't really full IR film, it is more IR sensitive than other films, but is still visible-light-sensitive as well. It gives you an interesting look compared to other B&W films shot normally (without an IR filter), but not a full-blown IR one.

05-29-2018, 01:09 AM	#36
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by Alex645 Using true B&W infrared film is very difficult because it needed to be kept in cold storage, Ilford SFX came out with an ISO 200 rating and not needing cold storage handling, Yes, it sort of works and sort of replicates b&w infrared, but I never got it at the same ethereal quality as traditional IR. Originally posted by leekil It isn't really full IR film, it is more IR sensitive than other films, but is still visible-light-sensitive as well. It gives you an interesting look compared to other B&W films shot normally (without an IR filter), but not a full-blown IR one. Yes, I know this as stated previously. Or are you (leekil) responding that the Rollei IR, is like Ilford SFX...but ISO 400 instead of 200? Or the Rollei without a filter is like the SFX with a filter?

05-29-2018, 01:18 AM - 1 Like	#37
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Originally posted by Alex645 Yes, I know this as stated previously. Or are you (leekil) responding that the Rollei IR, is like Ilford SFX...but ISO 400 instead of 200? Or the Rollei without a filter is like the SFX with a filter? I haven't used the Rollei (yet). But this guy has examples of both films: Finding film part 11: ILFORD SFX 200 \| EMULSIVE Finding Film part 10: Rollin' Rollei Retro 80S and 400S \| EMULSIVE But now we're getting off topic!

05-29-2018, 03:08 PM - 1 Like	#38
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Decide whether you want monochrome or colour slides or colour prints. Most colour print films are very similar, slight variations in contrast, colour saturation and then ISO speed, but C41 processing and printing is a great leveller. Colour slides fall into either punchy types like 'new' Velvia or more subtle types like Provia, Sensia (if still available) or Ektarchrome (about to be re-released?). The best slide film (Kodachrome) is no more and the rest fall into the above categories (E6 processing is also leveller). Monochrome is a different animal - you have 'old' technology (FP4+, HP5+, Tri-X), 'new' technology (Delta, T-Max) and Chromogenic (XP2 Super, BW400CN which can be developed in a C41 mini-lab) to choose from, each can be developed for different characteristics by using different development. Choice may depend on your location (I'm in the UK so Ilford is easiest to get). XP2 is widely regarded as a very versatile film - my preference is for FP4+ or HP5+ unless I'm after very low light where Delta 3200 excels. At the end of the day, it's about shooting and unless you have very specific expectations/requirements, any film is a very good start - there's a learning curve and the mistakes will likely be the same whichever film you use.