Ilford SFX

I am planning a series on Southern Folklore and Mythology and thought Infrared might be a good idea. The fellow at the local camera shop told me about the Ilford SFX film. I know it is expensive, but there is someone considering funding the project. Have any of you used the film and is there anything I should know about the processing or does it process like a normal black and white film?
Thanks

It processes like any other B&W film. datasheets with processing recommendations are on Ilford's website.
It's considered a "near infrared" film rather than a true infrared like the late Kodak HIE. What that means is that it's sensitivity doesn't go as far into the infrared realm as Kodak HIE did, or the Rollei infrared.
But, with the right filtration it will give you some of the infrared look like light foliage and black skys

It's a little grainy compared to FP4 or even HP5, but it has a nice look. I've had better luck with it as a general purpose film than infrared, but YMMV.

Unlike "true" infrared films, you can load it into the camera in normal or subdued light rather than in a darkroom, which was Kodak's recommendation for HIE, and I believe, is recommended for the Rollei product.

What he says... (he also types faster than me... )
SFX is a very nice film. There are lots of threads on it here on APUG. I like it better in 120 than 35mm, but the IR effect can be quite pleasing. It is essentially an extended-red film but is quite acceptable with the right filter. I use an R-72 and meter off-camera at ISO 6. This is not as sensitive as some other IR films, so you can handle and process it as you would any black and white film.

Good luck with your project.

Cheers,

I really like this film when used with a dark, very opaque filter. There are some examples in my Gallery. Enjoy.

Thanks for the info folks. I understood it was an extended red film as opposed to true infrared. I was hoping for some of the look of infrared without all of the hassle. And I will be shooting it 120. Good to know I can develop at home, though all I can seem to get my hands on without mail order is D-76, but I suppose that's what the internet is for. Right?

PS.. Thanks Banana for pointing me at your gallery. I think SFX is just the thing I am looking for.

D-76? talk about standard, send that stuff through some Crawleys FX-1 or even some PMK, watch your contrast though as IR already is very high contrast

Do I need to start singing "If I were a Rich Man"? I just bought what I could get in town to get started. Once some more funds come in, I am going to order some other developers and such. To be quite honest, I am not very happy with the results from the D-76, once in a great while I get some really nice negs, but usually they are a bit dull and flat. Not sure why really. When I get back to school on Monday I will run some negatives through the scanner and show the result.

Ok, so it wasn't that expensive. One FX-1 kit from Photographers Formulary is on its way.

You could also try the Efke IR film, I believe its code is Efke IR820 or something. Have heard good things about it...

photomem said:

Thanks for the info folks. I understood it was an extended red film as opposed to true infrared. I was hoping for some of the look of infrared without all of the hassle. And I will be shooting it 120. Good to know I can develop at home, though all I can seem to get my hands on without mail order is D-76, but I suppose that's what the internet is for. Right?

Click to expand...

I used SFX a few times, and it's an OK film. It wasn't exactly what I wanted at the time, so I just let it be. But as far as a developer goes, D-76 worked just fine. Use it the same as the Ilford recommendation for ID-11, since the two developers are identical in action if not in actual composition. Here's the Ilford fact sheet for SFX: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2007651134552223.pdf.

Chris Lange said:

You could also try the Efke IR film, I believe its code is Efke IR820 or something. Have heard good things about it...

Click to expand...

Another vote for the Efke/(Maco) 820. I don't know if it's available in 35mm, but I really like it in 120. It produces nice, deep blacks and mid-tones, with a nice Wood effect using an R-72. (exposed between ISO 1.5 and 3)

Cheers,

SFX is a nice, tame easy to handle film that gives a nice woods effect with the use of a R72 filter. You won't get the Aura / Dreamy effect that you got with the old Kodak IR film, but it works well enough.

It develops nicely in D76 and most of the other regular Developers, and is certainly easier to get hold of than some of the others