APX 100 vs Efke R100

rpinchbeck · Jun 10, 2006

If one were to have a choice between these marvelous films which one exhibits better tonality, grain, sharpness, etc.

I've been using Iford Delta films for a long time and have broken out of the rut to try APX 100. I like the results from APX 100 but I'm wondering if Efke is better, especially when souped in Rodinal.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

Markok765 · Jun 10, 2006

Efke is great souped in rodinal. 1:200 2 hours

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 10, 2006

Test it. I have chosen Efke 100 after testing it against several other ISO 100 films that are available in 35mm, 120 roll and sheet film sizes through 8x10. Ilford FP4 is also acceptable to me. Both films have excellent tonality and acutance when developed in one of my current favorite developers.

Non-Staining developer XTOL, PC-TEA or MC-TEA
Staining and Tanning developer Pyrocat - MC

Ian Grant · Jun 10, 2006

The truth is the Agfa film, it was on a par with the Kodak 50 ISO film, Tmax100.

If you want real quality go for EFKE's 25 ISO film, actually its more a 50 ISO emulsion. in reality but yo do need to do your own tests.

Ian

Jerevan · Jun 10, 2006

Efke works great in Rodinal. This is hwo I do it at the moment: prewash for 2 minutes, then dev'ed in 1:50, 15 minutes at 20 C, with agitation 30 seconds initially, then 10 seconds at 4, 8, and 12 minutes. See it as a starting point for further experiments.

cdholden · Jun 10, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
Test it. I have chosen Efke 100 after testing it against several other ISO 100 films that are available in 35mm, 120 roll and sheet film sizes through 8x10. Ilford FP4 is also acceptable to me. Both films have excellent tonality and acutance when developed in one of my current favorite developers.

Non-Staining developer XTOL, PC-TEA or MC-TEA
Staining and Tanning developer Pyrocat - MC

Tom,
Where are you finding Efke here in the US? The only place I see it sold is J&C and I never seem to catch them with any in stock. Their website always shows out of inventory any time I've looked in the past few months.
Chris

Roger Hicks · Jun 10, 2006

Dear Ian,

I think you'll find that if you develop to ISO standards (gamma 0.615, speed point 0,10 above fb+f) with any middle of the road developer, TMX is surprisingly close to ISO 100.

This may not give you the results you like best -- a stop of overexposure may well work best for you -- but you can hardly dismiss Kodak's speed claims quite so cavalierly.

I am sure you are aware of ISO procedures but those who are not may be interested in a free module at The Photo School at www.rogerandfrances.com in ISO speeds.

Cheers,

Roger

srs5694 · Jun 10, 2006

This is common knowledge, but given the original question, rpinchbeck may not be aware of the fact that Agfa has gone under. Although Agfa APX 100 is still available in many stores, the supply is limited and dwindling. I don't know how long the current stocks will last. I certainly wouldn't recommend standardizing on APX 100 at this point, unless maybe you view it as vastly superior to anything else and are willing to purchase a multi-year supply right now.

Concerning cdholden's question, AFAIK Efke is available in the US from only two sources: J&C and Freestyle. You might find some from private sellers on eBay, too, but I've not looked recently.

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 10, 2006

cdholden said:
Tom,
Where are you finding Efke here in the US? The only place I see it sold is J&C and I never seem to catch them with any in stock. Their website always shows out of inventory any time I've looked in the past few months.
Chris

Chris, srs5694 Beat me to it!

J and C and/or Freestyle are the USA sources (my wife contends that our freezer is also a source).

Alicouscous · Jun 10, 2006

Efke is a very beautiful film, but for large contrast range scene, I prefer APX 100

Rolleijoe · Jun 13, 2006

APX 100 in Studional (aka Rodinal Special).....ah there was nothing like it. Seeing as it's history, I've now settled on Efke 100 as the replacement. Purchased some R09 for fun, but still developing in Rodinal where this film really shines.

The grain is finer than TMax (to my eye & grain focuser), ar at least more to my liking, and tonality fantastic. Have a roll in one of my Rolleiflex TLR Planars at the moment. If there were a true Efke 400 to match (not rebranded Ilford) then everything would be fine.

As for where to buy, I get mine from Freestyle at the moment, shipping is cheaper, and cost of film is as well + I get a tracking # as well.

APX 100 vs Efke R100

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