Efke R[25|50|100] 120 Roll Film

wallrat · Feb 7, 2011

I have a question that I have searched the forum for, however, I can't find my answer or don't understand enough to find it. I'm a relative newbie, shooting analog again for only 2 years after about a 10 year absence. I'm shooting 6x7 on a Mamiya RZ ProII and have been reading a lot and hearing a lot about Efke films. Are the "R" films reversal films only, or can they be processed as a negative film? I seem to see conflicting answers. If it can't be processed as a negative, which Efke roll films can and where can I find them? I looked at the 4 major suppliers with no luck.

Thanks in advance,
-Bill

Jim Noel · Feb 7, 2011

All Efke films are negative films.

wallrat · Feb 7, 2011

Awesome, thanks. The descriptions on sites like B&H, etc list the R films as "Reversal" films "requiring special processing" so I was confused by that. I saw posts of people doing some interesting development techniques with Rodinal, etc but they just said "Efke" with no R designation. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm going to order some 50 & 100 to play with.

-Bill

Chazzy · Feb 7, 2011

I thought that Efke made a film for reversal processing, but I might be confused.

ntenny · Feb 7, 2011

wallrat said:
Awesome, thanks. The descriptions on sites like B&H, etc list the R films as "Reversal" films "requiring special processing"

You sure that wasn't *Foma* R100, which I believe is the only b&w reversal film still with us?

In the Efke lines "R" seems to stand for "Rollfilm", "PL" for "Planfilm" (sheet film), and "KB" for "Kleinbildformat" (35mm).

-NT

Chazzy · Feb 7, 2011

I must have been thinking of the Foma product.

RobertV · Feb 7, 2011

Efke 25-50-100 are B&W single layer negative films. The R25-R50 version are Orthopan, the R100 is a regular Panchromatic film.

In a high acutance developers like Beutler and Rodinal you will get the best results.

The emulsion is pretty soft, so you have to take extra care for the development.

Best regards,

Robert

wallrat · Feb 7, 2011

Ok, good the know that the 100 is pan, I'll stick to 25 / 50 and push it if need be. I was going to play a bit with Rodinal and stand development. Thanks for the great info everyone, it's greatly appreciated.

-Bill

RobertV · Feb 7, 2011

Efke 25 E.I. 25 in Beutler A+B 1+1+8 7:00 minutes. (35mm).

Paul Sorensen · Feb 7, 2011

Wow, the listing on B&H is kind of strange and it would make one think that this is a specialty reversal film. They recommend DR5 in Denver for the reversal processing which is fine, but DR5 can do reversal processing on tons of different films no differently than this one. All I can guess is that the base might be more clear than some, but I have used it and it is a negative film. I think that ntenny is right on as to what the initial letters mean in the name. I think that the listing on B&H makes this very confusing, or is actually flat out incorrect that this is primarily a reversal film.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/450100-REG/Efke_191120_R100_Black_and_White.html

Oh, and is there a reason you would push the 25 or 50 rather than shoot the 100? The look will be a little different due to how an orthopan film handles the color spectrum, but you might find that the pan film is a little more natural. Also, I am not sure, but my guess would be that the results of pushing these films using semi stand rodinal might not be the best. Perhaps someone else has tried it, but stand or semi stand rodinal is not what I think of when I think of pushing films and Efke is not the film I think of for pushing either. Seems to me like it might be playing to the films' weaknesses rather than strengths.

Peter Schrager · Feb 8, 2011

just tried out the adox pan 25 and it looks to be very promising
dev either in rodinal or pyrocat looks to be stunning
Best, Peter

Thomas Bertilsson · Feb 8, 2011

The Efke films can be used for either negative or reversal-positive purposes.

They are wonderful films with nice qualities, and require extra care while the film is wet so it doesn't get scratched.

I have used them with Rodinal, HC-110, and Xtol, and I like the results from all three combinations. Prints look crisp and clear.

One thing about Efke 25 and 50 - I found that overexposing them didn't work well. Shoot them at box speed, or even one stop higher, meaning Efke 25 at exposure index 50, and so on, for pretty interesting tonality. Agitate slowly, like two inversions every two minutes, to avoid runaway density in the highlights.

It's really nice film.

- Thomas

wallrat · Feb 8, 2011

@RobertV: Great shot, amazing tones.

@Paul: I'm glad someone else thinks B&H's listing is flat out confusing. I appreciate all of the tips and though. I think I'll try all 3. I wasn't planning on pushing them all the time, just in cases of very low light when it was my only choice short of messing with reciprocity failure. As for natural, I'm not terribly concerned with that and actually appreciate departure from natural. My work mostly surrounds urban decay, abandoned buildings, abandoned farmhouses, etc. I'll join soon and post some pics. On the pushed film, I had planned to develop it normally, just trying stand when it's shot at it's rated speed. I took a peek at your site, amazing photography. Thanks for all the help.

-Bill

dr5chrome · Feb 8, 2011

EFKE FILMS

ALL the EFKE films can be run as chrome or negative.

As chrome from us or in your own darkroom. These films do very well for reversal processing.

We have found the best negative developer for the EFKE films is D23, PYRO, HC110.
R100 does well in DDx also.

regards, dw

2F/2F · Feb 8, 2011

The "R" is Efke's code for 120 film; it does not mean "reversal." The same emulsion in 35mm would be called "KB," and in sheet sizes, it would be "PL." TMK they do not make a purpose-made reversal film, though Foma does.

I would use Adox CHS film in 120 instead of the Efke. They are the same emulsions and the same prices, but the Adox comes with a reusable 120 film canister.

declark · Feb 8, 2011

2F/2F said:
I would use Adox CHS film in 120 instead of the Efke. They are the same emulsions and the same prices, but the Adox comes with a reusable 120 film canister.

I love the look of Efke 25, but hate the way it curls. Is Adox any better in this regard?

michaelbsc · Feb 8, 2011

declark said:
I love the look of Efke 25, but hate the way it curls. Is Adox any better in this regard?

As I understand it they are the same film in a different dress.

cmacd123 · Feb 8, 2011

wallrat said:
@Paul: I'm glad someone else thinks B&H's listing is flat out confusing.

Just clik on enlarge in their page, you can read the film box where it says "Black and White Negative film" FOMA R100 is a reversal film, some version of that have a silver AH layer which cannont be processed as a negative according to the FOMA data sheet. BUt the EFKE film are all based on the old ADOX films form the 1950s. When that factory stoped making them, the technology was sold to Yugoslavia, and ended up in the Croatian half.

Current production is on a Polyester base as they can no longer obtain the Acetate base they used to use. This makes the film more sensitive to light piping when loading the camera.

The current ADOX firm has no direct connection with the 1950's ADOX. They do have the EFKE films packed as their ART line

Thomas Bertilsson · Feb 9, 2011

2F/2F said:
The "R" is Efke's code for 120 film; it does not mean "reversal." The same emulsion in 35mm would be called "KB," and in sheet sizes, it would be "PL." TMK they do not make a purpose-made reversal film, though Foma does.

I would use Adox CHS film in 120 instead of the Efke. They are the same emulsions and the same prices, but the Adox comes with a reusable 120 film canister.

Good points.

R for 120 film stands for 'rollfilm'.
PL for sheets stands for 'planfilm' (sheetfilm)
KB I'm not sure, but probably stands for 'kasett' something, which would be equivalent to 'cartridge' or the metal enclosure the film resides in.

- Thomas

Philippe Grunchec · Feb 9, 2011

KB= Kleinbild (small format)

dr5chrome · Feb 9, 2011

..this is correct. The FOMA R100 is the only deliberate reversal film.

The ADOX, some of the recent ROLLEI, are all EFKE film. FREESTYLE carries all 3. FREESTYLE is the EFKE, ROLLEI & FOTOimpex importer. ALL film that is sold in the US is bought from FREESTYLE, be it ADOX, ROLLEI or EFKE.

Only EFKE knows why the lettering has changed on the EFKE films; 'R' - 'PL' , etc.. it is the same film.

The EFKE film is by the factory a negative B&W film. What is done with it after is not a concern to them. Shops like FREESTYLE & B&H list the film as a 'B&W reversal' because of the dr5 process. They figure if we can do it, so can anyone else.

regards, dw

RobertV · Feb 9, 2011

Efke:
KB Klein Bild (35mm)
R Roll Film (Rollfilm)
PL Plan Film (Sheet Film)

From the German language ....

Fomapan R100 is in fact a cinefilm but available in 35mm perforated.

Greetz,

Robert

Efke R[25|50|100] 120 Roll Film

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