Astrum IR B+W Negative, or IR-200

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Wolfram Malukker

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Dragonfilm is 25L. They are mislabeling it. helped a reddit guy out with that ID earlier this year, as if it was Type 42L, it would be the same film as Santa Rae 1000.

I shoot quite a bit of Astrum A-2Sh right now, have it in 35mm, 61mm, and 70mm sizes, and once I get it dialed in for the contrast and development that I want, I'll be ordering some in 5" wide.
 

polaromar

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Any clue what Foto-100 is then? My assumption was that it was 25L. Foto-200 is Aviphot 200 IIRC.
 

polaromar

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Some thoughts after thinking it over:

We know for sure Foto-200 is Aviphot 200, and FN64 is Aviphot 80. Aviphot 200 tops off at 750 nm, Aviphot 80 tops off at ~775 nm. Thus it is definitely not Aviphot-200, and Aviphot 80 may be too slow - from what I've read Adox HR-50 goes down in EI by a few stops with an R72 filter.

There are only, to my knowledge, 3 film stocks still in production that are intended to have IR sensitivity - Aviphot 200, Aviphot 80, and Ilford SFX 200. Only Aviphot 80 reaches to 775 nm.

Tasma films have little to no IR sensitivity, their upper limit is 730 nm at best. Type-25L is also very contrasty, very noticeably more than Aviphot 200. Type-42L has slightly more contrast than Aviphot 200. Tasma does not manufacture any other 35 mm photographic film.

FPP sells a 200-speed IR film that they claim has sensitivity all the way to 850nm (!). Perhaps this is the same as Astrum's IR-200, even though they don't label it as such? This does not match with any currently produced film, at least not one that can be easily found for respooling. The thin polyester base also suggests an aerial film versus SFX 200's traditional acetate base.

In that case, Aviphot 400 is a possibility. It has enough sensitivity, and the base material and thickness matches. However, it has been out of production for over a decade by now and the remaining stocks are believed to have dried up. That said, 200 ISO is an appropriate compensation factor for ~1 decade-expired film, if it was Aviphot 400.

Maybe FPP and Astrum/Svema are sitting on the last pancakes of Aviphot 400 after all? It's possible FPP is just making stuff up, but if you really are seeing IR response at EI 50 from a supposed 200 speed film - there are very few options for what it could be.
 

Wolfram Malukker

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Some thoughts after thinking it over:

We know for sure Foto-200 is Aviphot 200, and FN64 is Aviphot 80. Aviphot 200 tops off at 750 nm, Aviphot 80 tops off at ~775 nm. Thus it is definitely not Aviphot-200, and Aviphot 80 may be too slow - from what I've read Adox HR-50 goes down in EI by a few stops with an R72 filter.

There are only, to my knowledge, 3 film stocks still in production that are intended to have IR sensitivity - Aviphot 200, Aviphot 80, and Ilford SFX 200. Only Aviphot 80 reaches to 775 nm.

Tasma films have little to no IR sensitivity, their upper limit is 730 nm at best. Type-25L is also very contrasty, very noticeably more than Aviphot 200. Type-42L has slightly more contrast than Aviphot 200. Tasma does not manufacture any other 35 mm photographic film.

FPP sells a 200-speed IR film that they claim has sensitivity all the way to 850nm (!). Perhaps this is the same as Astrum's IR-200, even though they don't label it as such? This does not match with any currently produced film, at least not one that can be easily found for respooling. The thin polyester base also suggests an aerial film versus SFX 200's traditional acetate base.

In that case, Aviphot 400 is a possibility. It has enough sensitivity, and the base material and thickness matches. However, it has been out of production for over a decade by now and the remaining stocks are believed to have dried up. That said, 200 ISO is an appropriate compensation factor for ~1 decade-expired film, if it was Aviphot 400.

Maybe FPP and Astrum/Svema are sitting on the last pancakes of Aviphot 400 after all? It's possible FPP is just making stuff up, but if you really are seeing IR response at EI 50 from a supposed 200 speed film - there are very few options for what it could be

FPP's IR film is the IR-200 from Astrum. It's not sensitive out to 850nm, only 775.

It's also not any of the Aviphot stocks that are available currently, as according to the last time the person I know with information talked to Astrum it was a master roll they bought that did not meet the original specification, but instead had the extra IR response. A "bastard child", as it were.

When they run out, I doubt they can get more, which is why they don't offer it as a regular product-you have to call and ask for it.

Also I doubt that Foto 100 and Foto 200 are Aviphot, or at least they were not until recently. The films are quite different in contrast.
 
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MCB18

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Well, whatever this film is, it is absolutely stunning. Just looking at these negatives, I can already tell you that these are going to be amazing images.
IMG_4008.jpeg

Quick and dirty version of one of my favorite shots:
IMG_4009.jpeg

Wonderful film. I will absolutely be buying some more of it for myself!
 

Ivo Stunga

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Tasty stuff
 

polaromar

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FPP's IR film is the IR-200 from Astrum. It's not sensitive out to 850nm, only 775.

It's also not any of the Aviphot stocks that are available currently, as according to the last time the person I know with information talked to Astrum it was a master roll they bought that did not meet the original specification, but instead had the extra IR response. A "bastard child", as it were.

When they run out, I doubt they can get more, which is why they don't offer it as a regular product-you have to call and ask for it.

Also I doubt that Foto 100 and Foto 200 are Aviphot, or at least they were not until recently. The films are quite different in contrast.

Not surprised FPP is being optimistic. Thanks for the insight into the stock! That's fascinating. I wonder what the base stock was? Also interested that there was no governmental interest in a more IR sensitive photo stock, U-2 and RQ-4 techs are still training on loading and using the Optical Bar Camera, and most other countries are still using film reconnaissance tools. Sounds like I need a few rolls for future use.

Foto-100 is definitely Tasma. I've shot it and compared it to the Aviphot I've shot, and the difference is pretty visible. It's very high contrast and has a bit of a different look. In Eastern Europe, Tasma stocks are/were commonly respooled as cheap panchromatic stocks, and over in Russia, respoolers give Type 25L a box speed of 100 or 125 ISO, and for Type 42L, 400 ISO. So I'm pretty confident that Foto-100/NK-2Sh is Tasma's Type 25L film.

I believe Foto-200 is Aviphot 200, especially since it is advertised as having IR sensitivity, but I haven't shot it yet, so I can't confirm. I've heard from others that it is though.


Well, whatever this film is, it is absolutely stunning. Just looking at these negatives, I can already tell you that these are going to be amazing images.
View attachment 408780

Quick and dirty version of one of my favorite shots:
View attachment 408779

Wonderful film. I will absolutely be buying some more of it for myself!

These look really spectacular! You shoot at ISO50 with these along with an R72?
 

Wolfram Malukker

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Joined
Apr 13, 2024
Messages
181
Location
Kentucky USA
Format
35mm
Not surprised FPP is being optimistic. Thanks for the insight into the stock! That's fascinating. I wonder what the base stock was? Also interested that there was no governmental interest in a more IR sensitive photo stock, U-2 and RQ-4 techs are still training on loading and using the Optical Bar Camera, and most other countries are still using film reconnaissance tools. Sounds like I need a few rolls for future use.

Foto-100 is definitely Tasma. I've shot it and compared it to the Aviphot I've shot, and the difference is pretty visible. It's very high contrast and has a bit of a different look. In Eastern Europe, Tasma stocks are/were commonly respooled as cheap panchromatic stocks, and over in Russia, respoolers give Type 25L a box speed of 100 or 125 ISO, and for Type 42L, 400 ISO. So I'm pretty confident that Foto-100/NK-2Sh is Tasma's Type 25L film.

I believe Foto-200 is Aviphot 200, especially since it is advertised as having IR sensitivity, but I haven't shot it yet, so I can't confirm. I've heard from others that it is though.




These look really spectacular! You shoot at ISO50 with these along with an R72?

Yeah it's not 25L...they sell 25L as A-2SH.
 
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