5x4 Monochrome Infra Red film

[numnutz]

HI - I have a 5x4 View camera and wish to try some Monochrome Infra Red film.

I searched on the web and found that B&H sell Rollie IR film in 5X4 sheet film. I tried my London supplier and the chap behind the counter said that he thought the film was cr*p (almost his exact words) and not worth stocking.

Has anyone tried this film? and have any reports on it positive or negative?

Can you suggest any other source for 5x4 IR film.

I have a 6x9cm roll film back so I can try 120 rolls but obviously I would rather use 5x4 sheets.

Thanks in advance

nn

Infra red film info Here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/419444-REG/Rollei_8104100_Infrared_4x5_Black_and.html

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

To get the Infrared look from that film, you will need to use a filter which is near visually opaque (cutoff at 720nm or higher). You will not get pronounced effects with a Red 25 or Red 29. It is also quite slow, which is why most people who try it expecting the results from Kodak HIE are very disappointed. Expect to expose (after filter factor) at around ISO 12-ISO 3. I have some test samples that MACO sent me and have not had a chance to put through the camera yet.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I saw on the freestylephoto.biz site that Efke has IR film in different sizes. I haven't tried it yet.

Jon

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Efke makes IR in 4x5, 5x7 8x10 and roll film to fit the old baby rollei's.
-Rob

 

[Rui.Cardoso]

Hello,

I've used both Rollei IR and Efke IR820 in 120mm, and just ordered my first box of Efke IR in 4x5. I think you can get both from http://www.fotoimpex.de/ , but I used to I buy Rollei Film directly from Maco http://www.mahn.net/ .

Regarding the film, I was used to the old Maco IR so when I tried the Rollei I was in shock (I would probably use the same words as your supplier)... The film is not as sensitive to IR (I have B+W 092, Heliopan 715 and Hoya R72 IR filters - The Hoya is the only one showing obvious IR effects in most situations)

The contrast and tonalities of this film can get quite harsh if you're not cautious with when and what you shoot. This film is clearly not as suited to shooting in the middle of the day as the old Maco.

On the positive side, I can say that even when compared to normal films this film is amazingly sharp.

After more than one year using the Rollei Stuff, I've been trying Efke IR. In terms of results, this film is closer to the old Maco in terms of IR response and tonalities, but looks slower (between ISO 3 and 1 when used with any of the IR filters I mentioned above) and not as sharp.

It's funny, that although I did not like the Rollei film in the beginning, now there are situations where I appreciate it's character, so I guess I'll still be using it side by side with the Efke for the time beeing.

Regards,

-Rui

 

[thefizz]

I have spent all summer testing both the Efke and Rollei IR films and have to say that while the Rollei is less sensitive to IR light than the Efke, when used with an Opaque filter such as the Heliopen 715nm, its far from crap.

Only last night I enlarged half of a 6x7 neg to 16x12 and its stunning.

Peter

 

[Travis Nunn]

I never had any luck with the Rollei film even with using one of the recommended filters. I've seen some nice photos from people here on APUG, but after close to a dozen rolls, I never got anything that I was happy with.

What's funny is that on my first test roll of the Efke IR, I got two images that I'm really happy with. In my mind, for IR type work, the Efke wins hands down. I've still got I think one or two rolls of the Rollei IR left and I don't think I'll ever use them.

 

[Ole]

I've used the Rollei (in 35mm) with a Heliopan 695 filter, and IMO it's great!

And so is the MACO IR 820c with a Lee IR filter, in 4x5"...

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'm in the middle of processing 10 rolls of 35mm Efke and it seems to be (a) quite slow -- try EI 3 when incident metering -- and (b) to need a lot longer in DD-X than the Massive Development Chart indicates (9-1/2 minutes instead of 7-1/2). I assume it's the same emulsion on the sheet film.

 

[thefizz]

I found the published times for the EFKE IR film to be waaaaay too quick.

 

[Bob F.]

Retro stock it according to their web site: www.retrophotographic.com, but I've never tried it.

Have fun, Bob.

 

[rusty71]

Retro stock it according to their web site: www.retrophotographic.com, but I've never tried it.

Have fun, Bob.

The Rollei film is a great ISO 400 emulsion, but not infrared. You can stick a deep red filter (hoya R72) on it and overexpose it to get a quasi IR effect.

The Efke IR820 is the same stuff as the old MACO IR 820c. It is a very good IR film, but quite slow, as noted. With 4x5 and a tripod that should not matter as much.

You can see some of my Rollei 400 tests here:
http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/product_tests/infrared_film_009.php

 

[herb]

IR SHEET FILM

I have been shooting some Efke IR with the 72 IR filter. Found that the film speed is 3 stops below asa (iso?) 6. Developed 10 min in Rodinal 25/1 and got some decent stuff.

Watch out for reciprocity if you go for small f stops and very long exposures.


Digital Truth has a huge Efke IR data sheet on their site.

Happy day

 

[rusty71]

I have been shooting some Efke IR with the 72 IR filter. Found that the film speed is 3 stops below asa (iso?) 6. Developed 10 min in Rodinal 25/1 and got some decent stuff.

Watch out for reciprocity if you go for small f stops and very long exposures.


Digital Truth has a huge Efke IR data sheet on their site.

Happy day

I've found that you can get an IR effect with deep red filters like the wratten 29 or 92. Exposures are in 5-10 second range. at F/8. Really depends upon how much IR is out during the day. I've developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 12 minutes.

 

[patricia de roeck]

Hi there - I've been experimenting with 120 Rollei IR and after 3 rolls have finally got somewhere - I think thats the trick with most IR film anyway. Best results have been with an opaque Hoya R72 filter (this is not a red filter by the way) rated at anything from 1 to 6, processed in Rodinal 1:25 for 12 mins at 20 deg.C Very, very slow film and seemed to get better IR results in bright sunshine than dark rainforest - which kinda makes sense I suppose. Does a lovely job of turning the ocean almost black when it does work - verrrry interesting... From all the articles and books I've ferreted through it seems to me that Kodak HIE film produces the true IR effect a lot easier and in very low light conditions than this film - but Rollei is all I can get so have to keep fine-tuning it - which is half the fun. Would imagine that this film on 5 x 4 once you get it right would be just stunning - don't give up on it!
Good luck, patricia

 

[Fotohuis]

Here some examples of the Rollei film:

Dead Link Removed

The film works pretty well when you have the right IR filter:
RG695nm (89B); RG715nm (88A) or Hoya 72R, Cokin 007, SFX filter.

A dark red will NOT work.
The effective E.I. with above filters will be in the range of iso 12-25 depending on the IR light conditions.

The film is very sharp, has a high resolution and a relative fine grain.

The film is available in 35mm, 120 roll film, 4x5" and bulk 30,5m/100ft.
Because the film is not super IR sensitive you can load and unload in subdue light which is not possible with HIE (Kodak). Rollei IR 820/400 is going down fast in sensitivity over 750nm. The Efke IR820/Maco IR820C is a bit more IR sensitive but much slower in speed. With above mentioned filters around iso 3.

Summurized: Rollei IR820/400 is a nice IR film under the right IR light circumstances. Use the above mentioned filters and the results will be fine. Because the bandwith of this film is limited the film will fail with the wrong filter and the lack of enough IR light in the atmosphere.

 

[thefizz]

I found the Rollei IR film to be finer grained than the Efke even though its a faster film.

Not sure about the Efke being exactly the same as the Maco. I loved Maco bigtime but the Efke just isn't doing it for me so far.