Does Ilford SFX 200 have a very dark base, or did I do something wrong?

[Arcturus]

I searched the forums but I couldn’t find any discussions regarding this. I just processed my first roll of SFX 200 and was alarmed by how dark the base was, dark gray. It was way darker than any other film I’ve ever used. I refixed it but it didn’t make any difference. The data sheet for it says the film looks and feels different, but does not elaborate. I processed it in D76 the same as any other film so I don’t know if it’s an issue, or it’s supposed to be that way. This is my first experience shooting any sort of IR or superpan film so I don’t know if this is normal. The preliminary scans look ok, but I haven’t attempted to print it yet.

 

[doughowk]

I recently used it, and my negs do seem to have a grayer base than, for example, Delta 400. Dev'd in rodinal (Adox Adinol) & fixed in Ilford Rapidfixer.
Am also curious.

 

[NB23]

Happens with hp5 sometimes.
These variations are frustrating. This shouldnt happen...

 

[polyglot]

Yes, it is darker. I think it's also a bit more fog-prone with age, but the base-fog is definitely more than FP4 and HP5. Question is: do you have the shadow detail you expected without blowing any highlights? If so, all good.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It's normal. No worries.

 

[Arcturus]

Thanks! It appears to be printable so I think it's ok.

 

[Xmas]

the datasheet says

' grey acetate base '...