Grain, sharpness- Rollei IR 400 & TMY-2

[surfotog]

Looking for input from those who have used both Tmax 400 and Rollei IR 400. How does the grain and sharpness compare? Am thinking of trying the Rollei as a non-IR 400 speed film. Thanks.

 

[fschifano]

What are you looking for? TMY is sharp and very fine grained with slightly more blue sensitivity than some other films. I think it's just about perfect. Rollie IR 400? Obviously more red sensitivity, and not nearly as fine grained as TMY I mean, you're really trying to compare apples and oranges here.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Frank, I assume you wanted to say slightly less blue sensitivity. Judging by the spectral sensitivity curve, it's more flat than the other emulsions.

 

[vedmak]

yep apples and oranges, films have different color response curve, if you shoot IR properly, it will be long exposures, and IR filter, can't compare that to tmy, if you shoot it without the filter and at 400 speed results will be awful compared to tmy. I would not recommend using any IR instead of normal film.

 

[fschifano]

Frank, I assume you wanted to say slightly less blue sensitivity. Judging by the spectral sensitivity curve, it's more flat than the other emulsions.

You're right. Brain said one thing, fingers typed another.

 

[keithwms]

TMY2 is an entirely different beast, the grain structure is different and really optimized for smoothness. Note, however, that you can shoot the Rollei IR 'normally' and dr5 (slide) process it for very smooth results.

If you shoot the Rollei IR as IR film, just take care not to underexpose. If you do, the thin portions will appear quite grainy, particularly if you scan. This has been a problem for me from time to time when I use the deeper cutoff filters (#87 and 72) and the chance of underexposing is greater. So... I just bracket whenever I can and the most exposed neg is often the best. A well exposed neg, be it Rollei IR or superpan, can have quite smooth grain. Far smoother than HIE, in my experience. But not as smooth as tmy2. Closer to hp5+.

N.b. I shoot all of these in med format and have absolutely no issue with the grain I get from any of them.