Arista EDU Ultra 400 as Infrared

[sissysphoto]

A few weeks ago i was in the frame of mind to buy a cheap 100ft roll of 400 speed film. I was settled on Ultrafine Xtreme, because I researched it to be a good film in the budget category. At the last moment I changed my mind and went $10 higher on the Arista EDU Ultra 400 because I ran upon the following site:
https://emulsive.org/reviews/film-review-fomapan-400-arista-edu-ultra-400

I'd read that the Arista was inferior to the Ultrafine regarding the poor response to underexposure. But it was said (by this site) to have a small amount of near-infrared sensitivity. So I bought it and an R-72 filter to play with. Lo and behold, I actually got a couple test negatives that look very "infrared" in their quality. I did my tests at 1,2,4,8,16, 32 seconds at f/8 with the 72 filter in midday sunshine and developed in Microdol 1:3 for 25mins at 75 degrees F. I have more testing to do, but it looks like the 4 and 8 second negatives definitely have the qualities I remember from my HIE days. I haven't printed them yet due to my extremely inconvenient darkroom access. But so far, it sure appears that I may have a poor person's version of infrared to some degree.
I can say that the negatives look very much like they have a great deal of infrared quality, and without the blooming that always disappointed me with HIE. The grain is certainly finer than HIE in D-76, which was horribly grainy. I would be very much interested in hearing from others on this discovery. I've been shooting straight photography all my life. Now in late life, I'm inspired to take a totally new direction. Indisputably, infrared film can take an ordinary unremarkable scene and make it quite different.
I now take my R-72 filter around with me when out on errands and such and put it up to my eye and see totally different things. Very interesting.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Very interesting indeed.

Do you know exactly which Foma film you have? I ask, as I cannot see any 400 film on the Foma site that goes over 700nm. In fact the single 400 film I did find, stopped just before 700nm. Could it possibly be a near infrared sensitive film that somehow is actually sensitive a little into the IR part of the spectrum to get through atmospheric haze, sort of like Kodak's spy film for the U2 aeroplanes?

I liked HIE, used it extensively and have a couple of R72 filters myself.

Mick.

 

[R.Gould]

There is only one foma 400, I use it a lot, iy does have some increased red sensitivy, but as far as I know it is not a true IR film, if you wan Orange filter skys without an orange filter then Fomapan 400 is the film for you, but I don't do IR and have never tried it as such, but I often shoot without orange filter and there is to my eyes no difference to say HP5 with orange fiiter and Fomapan without

 

[Pentode]

I'm watching this thread with some interest. I like shooting infrared and my frozen stockpile of HIE will not last forever.
Once it's gone I assumed I'd be forced to use Rollei and Ilford's IR films, but I'm always interested in other alternatives (not that I have anything against Rollei or Ilford!).

 

[Kino]

That was a clever idea to test Arista EDU 400 with a IR filter! Thanks!

Add me to the list of people who'd be interested to see a print!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Would have been nice if you posted a pic or two....
By the way, the blooming you speak of with HIE was because the film came sans antihalation layer. For me that was attractive attribute. I loved it in 4x5.
I wouldn't be surprised if the film you have is just rebranded Rollei IR.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I use Arista EDU 400 and I soup it with HC-110. I like the look of the film and developer combination. I do have a Tiffen infrared filter that I use on my digital camera. I'm curious enough to shoot it as an IR film.

 

[Pentode]

By the way, the blooming you speak of with HIE was because the film came sans antihalation layer. For me that was attractive attribute.

Me, too! I always loved the dreamy quality the halation gave the images. The Efke IR820 was offered without the AH layer, too (as "aura") and that also had a beautiful look.

I wouldn't be surprised if the film you have is just rebranded Rollei IR.

I would, actually. Arista EDU 400 is, AFAIK, rebranded Fomapan 400 and Foma coats their own film.
Rollei, OTOH, doesn't manufacture any film so all of their products are rebranded something. I believe the Rollei IR is an Agfa product, but if someone knows more about it, feel free to correct me.
I know there's a fair amount of mystery regarding some of the various Rollei films and what they actually are.

 

[pbromaghin]

I've been playing with Ilford SFX in 120, started out real bad but getting better with with experience. It's more expensive than Foma in 35mm but, on a sunny-16 day with the R72 filter, good exposure would come at 1/10 or 1/25 sec.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Me, too! I always loved the dreamy quality the halation gave the images. The Efke IR820 was offered without the AH layer, too (as "aura") and that also had a beautiful look.


I would, actually. Arista EDU 400 is, AFAIK, rebranded Fomapan 400 and Foma coats their own film.
Rollei, OTOH, doesn't manufacture any film so all of their products are rebranded something. I believe the Rollei IR is an Agfa product, but if someone knows more about it, feel free to correct me.
I know there's a fair amount of mystery regarding some of the various Rollei films and what they actually are.

You're probably right...and Foma 400 does have extended red sensitivity. Thanks!