Ilford SFX (special effects)

lbam · 01-06-2009, 04:54 PM

About three months ago I found an old roll of Ilford SFX 200, and have just finished running it through my P30, using a few high end lenses. The film expired in 2005, so I was hoping for some funky results...
When I took it to my local general public photolab they told me to go somewhere more professional as they hadn't seen the film type before.

From what little reasearch I've done since it seems it's a near infra red black and white.. so now I'm thinking the results are gonna be even more funky lol (or horrible).
Anyone tried this film type?

Wheatfield · 01-06-2009, 05:42 PM

Yup. I've shot a bit of it. I believe it was originally designed for law enforcement use or some such. You are correct, it is a near IR film, and if used with a red filter will give results very much like infrared. If you didn't use a red filter, it's pretty much just another panchromatic film, since it is still pan sensitive, all Ilford did was push the sensitivity up the scale a bit.
Sorry I don't have any samples to post, I seem to have misplaced a CD.

ChrisN · 01-07-2009, 12:49 AM

Have you seen the spec sheet from Ilford?

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2007651134552223.pdf

It includes advice on developing, which may help the lab you choose.

titrisol · 01-07-2009, 01:10 AM

Is a nice film, if you shot it without filter just develop it as any 200 film and tell the lab it is just normal 200 BW film.
I used it a lot with rangefinders and semi-IR filter (Wratten 89/715 nm) and it was fun....

The loss of light with the filter was problematic and shooting as 12 needs a good pulse

Developing it in DDX was my favorite!

lbam · 01-07-2009, 10:49 AM

Wow, thanks guys, I think you covered all I need to know there...
Shame it's not still available. Should be interesting to see how the 2005 expiry effected the results.
Unfortunately I didn't use a filter as I thought it was a regular B & W film, so I guess that's what it will look like when processed... shame.
I'll get the pics put on a CD, and if there is anything worth viewing I'll post a couple of shot's on here...

k100d · 01-07-2009, 11:20 AM

where have you been getting your film done lately, kevin?

lbam · 01-07-2009, 04:52 PM

This is the first piece of film I've used in years...
I have two more old reels of 35mm to get though also. But Kodak colour film.
I was going to take it to downtown Camera...
Should I go elsewhere?
I want the pics returned on a CD, for editing.

k100d · 01-07-2009, 06:53 PM

i've shot maybe 10 rolls color and b&w total this year and put them all through Downtown Camera and i like the results so far. make sure to ask for the hi-res scan, it is a 6MP Noritsu JPEG and they leave the film uncut

i dropped off a roll of b&w at Aden Camera but haven't gotten the results back yet

lbam · 01-07-2009, 11:01 PM

10 rolls in a week! you don't mess around buddy!

Only pulling your leg. Sounds good, I will indeed (now you've told me of it), ask for the high res scan.

I kinda like Downtown camera, and want to support them against the big boys (Henry's, Blacks, Vistek). Competition is good.
More importantly, they seem to strike the right combination of knowing what they are talking about, and offering a personal touch.

Ratmagiclady · 01-08-2009, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by lbam

Wow, thanks guys, I think you covered all I need to know there...
Shame it's not still available. Should be interesting to see how the 2005 expiry effected the results.

Fear not! Here's some.

Ilford SFX 200 iso 35mm x 36 exp. (Extended-Red Sensitivity) | Freestyle Photographic Supplies

k100d · 01-08-2009, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by k100d

i've shot maybe 10 rolls color and b&w total this year

oops i meant in 2008 making the number quite insignificant

korner color by yonge and bloor i think have fuji frontier machines so i think i will try them next

lbam · 01-09-2009, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

Fear not! Here's some.

Ilford SFX 200 iso 35mm x 36 exp. (Extended-Red Sensitivity) | Freestyle Photographic Supplies

Hmm thanks, maybe I'll pick up another roll + red/orange or yellow filter and use it properly next time.

01-06-2009, 04:54 PM	#1
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	Ilford SFX (special effects) About three months ago I found an old roll of Ilford SFX 200, and have just finished running it through my P30, using a few high end lenses. The film expired in 2005, so I was hoping for some funky results... When I took it to my local general public photolab they told me to go somewhere more professional as they hadn't seen the film type before. From what little reasearch I've done since it seems it's a near infra red black and white.. so now I'm thinking the results are gonna be even more funky lol (or horrible). Anyone tried this film type?

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01-06-2009, 05:42 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Yup. I've shot a bit of it. I believe it was originally designed for law enforcement use or some such. You are correct, it is a near IR film, and if used with a red filter will give results very much like infrared. If you didn't use a red filter, it's pretty much just another panchromatic film, since it is still pan sensitive, all Ilford did was push the sensitivity up the scale a bit. Sorry I don't have any samples to post, I seem to have misplaced a CD.

01-07-2009, 12:49 AM	#3
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	Have you seen the spec sheet from Ilford? http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2007651134552223.pdf It includes advice on developing, which may help the lab you choose.

01-07-2009, 01:10 AM	#4
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	Is a nice film, if you shot it without filter just develop it as any 200 film and tell the lab it is just normal 200 BW film. I used it a lot with rangefinders and semi-IR filter (Wratten 89/715 nm) and it was fun.... The loss of light with the filter was problematic and shooting as 12 needs a good pulse Developing it in DDX was my favorite!

01-07-2009, 10:49 AM	#5
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442 Original Poster	Wow, thanks guys, I think you covered all I need to know there... Shame it's not still available. Should be interesting to see how the 2005 expiry effected the results. Unfortunately I didn't use a filter as I thought it was a regular B & W film, so I guess that's what it will look like when processed... shame. I'll get the pics put on a CD, and if there is anything worth viewing I'll post a couple of shot's on here...

01-07-2009, 11:20 AM	#6
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	where have you been getting your film done lately, kevin?

01-07-2009, 04:52 PM	#7
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442 Original Poster	This is the first piece of film I've used in years... I have two more old reels of 35mm to get though also. But Kodak colour film. I was going to take it to downtown Camera... Should I go elsewhere? I want the pics returned on a CD, for editing.

01-07-2009, 06:53 PM	#8
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	i've shot maybe 10 rolls color and b&w total this year and put them all through Downtown Camera and i like the results so far. make sure to ask for the hi-res scan, it is a 6MP Noritsu JPEG and they leave the film uncut i dropped off a roll of b&w at Aden Camera but haven't gotten the results back yet

01-07-2009, 11:01 PM	#9
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442 Original Poster	10 rolls in a week! you don't mess around buddy! Only pulling your leg. Sounds good, I will indeed (now you've told me of it), ask for the high res scan. I kinda like Downtown camera, and want to support them against the big boys (Henry's, Blacks, Vistek). Competition is good. More importantly, they seem to strike the right combination of knowing what they are talking about, and offering a personal touch.

01-08-2009, 06:45 AM	#10
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by lbam Wow, thanks guys, I think you covered all I need to know there... Shame it's not still available. Should be interesting to see how the 2005 expiry effected the results. Fear not! Here's some. Ilford SFX 200 iso 35mm x 36 exp. (Extended-Red Sensitivity) \| Freestyle Photographic Supplies

01-08-2009, 07:45 AM	#11
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by k100d i've shot maybe 10 rolls color and b&w total this year oops i meant in 2008 making the number quite insignificant korner color by yonge and bloor i think have fuji frontier machines so i think i will try them next

01-09-2009, 03:15 PM	#12
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady Fear not! Here's some. Ilford SFX 200 iso 35mm x 36 exp. (Extended-Red Sensitivity) \| Freestyle Photographic Supplies Hmm thanks, maybe I'll pick up another roll + red/orange or yellow filter and use it properly next time.