Efke IR 400

does anyone have any experience with Efke IR400? I've been shooting nudes with HIE for sometime, but those familar with kodak know its been discontinued. I would like to find a replacement film however after using Ilford SFX, I've learned that this quest isnt easy. I do not like SFX because of its contrasty qualities. HIE picked up infrared radiation much much easier, and I like that because it makes skin tones smooth like butter. I am curious about the Efke, especially after hearing that the Rollei is similar to the SFX. Efke supposedly is the most similar to HIE, however I have never used it. Also I am using a Lee #87 filter, not a Red or R72 filter. Please help!

The Efke IR film is the closest to HIE in terms of grain and IR sensitivity. The Rollei film is finer grained and the SFX film is no where near the IR sensitivity you are used to with HIE. Give the Efke a try.

Peter

Thanks Peter! I will give the efke a try.

Efke IR will produce an image with significant IR effect (white leaves on trees or glowing skin) with a Kodak Wratten #87, if the Lee 87 is the equivalent of that, no problem. With that combination I use an ei of 3 or 6 in relatively bright sunlight in the southeastern USA. I don't know what an R72 filter equates with in the Wratten scheme, but a typical red filter like a Wratten 25 or 29 doesn't produce an image that does much for me with Ekke IR, a Wratten 89b will produce an IR effect with this film, however, an 88a should as well, but I don't have one of those.

Rollei IR will produce something similar to EFKE IR but with a little less IR effect using a Kodak Wratten 89b. I haven't been able to get an image to form using an 87 filter with Rollei, it may not allow wavelengths to pass that are within the sensitivity of Rollei IR. I don't know whether an 88a would work with Rollei IR because I haven't tried it. To a certain extent you can close the gap in IR effect between these films by increasing the exposure with the Rolllei film. I made a few outdoor images recently that I will post when I have the time with both of these films. The Rollei IR film is noticeably less grainy if that matters to you.
Good luck with these films
Doug Webb

the more grain the better. Thanks man!