Efke 25 and Diafine

Snapshot · Mar 4, 2007

Hi All,

I am looking to shoot some Efke 25 ISO 35mm film and develop it in Diafine. What is the appropriate EI that I should use for the film? I heard that EI 50 works for the 135 format but I can't seem to find information to confirm this. Also, if any has any suggestions for alternate developers, I would greatly appreciate it. Combinations that improve acutance and generate fine grain would be preferred.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jordan · Mar 4, 2007

You'll have to experiment, but you'll probably find that everything gives fine grain with Efke 25. Personally, I use Rodinal. Diafine works too -- I usually expose it at EI 25-32.

P C Headland · Mar 5, 2007

Shot at box speed, Rodinal 1+100 for 18 minutes works well for me with reduced agitation - after the first three minutes, one inversion every three minutes.

Some others here speak highly of Neofin Blue.

Snapshot · Mar 5, 2007

Well, I can always shoot at the indicated ISO and see how it works. Rodinal seems like a good alternative too and I have managed to purchase a bottle.

Thanks for your input guys!

Rolleijoe · Mar 5, 2007

I too use Rodinal for this fantastic film. 1:50 for 6.5-7.5 min depending on contrast of scenes shot. But this is for 120 with Zeiss lenses. Not shooting 35mm any more.

Snapshot · Apr 15, 2007

Just for the record I found that shooting Efke 25 in the 135 format at box speeds produces dense negatives when developed in Diafine. I like the results at ISO 50 better so I would recommend to anyone that uses Diafine to shoot it at higher than box speeds.

Tom Hoskinson · Apr 15, 2007

Snapshot said:
Hi All,

I am looking to shoot some Efke 25 ISO 35mm film and develop it in Diafine. What is the appropriate EI that I should use for the film? I heard that EI 50 works for the 135 format but I can't seem to find information to confirm this. Also, if any has any suggestions for alternate developers, I would greatly appreciate it. Combinations that improve acutance and generate fine grain would be preferred.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I develop Efke 25 in Pyrocat-HD or in Pyrocat-MC. Pyrocat gives high acutance and good highlight clamping with Efke 25. Efke 25 is a fine grain film - BY DESIGN.

Efke 25 also works well in Crawley's FX-2 and in Rodinal.

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 16, 2007

If you're unable to confirm EI for the Efke 25, this film has a tendency to 'run with it' if you overdevelop it. I would bracket the first roll if I were you since it would largely depend on the lighting how you want to shoot it.

In my humble opinion, I would much rather use the Rodinal since you have it handy. It is compensating, so to get the maximum out of the Efke without blowing the highlights. It would also help to agitate in a non-violent manner, I've seen amazing prints from this film with minimal agitation.

- Thomas

laverdure · Apr 16, 2007

The one roll of Efke 25 I put through diafine at box speed was a little dense, so I'd recommend trying at 32 or maybe 50. Of course, it all depends on your metering technique.

matti · Apr 16, 2007

I once shot Efke 25 at EI 100 by mistake. It worked out fine when developed in Diafine the normal way with about three mins in A and three in B. But I wouldn't call it a real test.
/matti

Efke 25 and Diafine

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