infrared/extended red sensitivity development

[Lukas Werth]

To those using infrared material:
I remember having read about the Efke IR820 that after exposure it needs to be developed as soon as possible. I am considering using it on a 3-week journey during which I will not be able to develop it. Is this feasible, or will the film deteriorate in this time?
Also, are there any precautions advisable for Ilford SFX200 film?

 

[Toffle]

As far as I have heard you can treat SFX200 as you would any black and white film. It is a fairly robust and versatile film and it is also quite forgiving. I have not shot the EFKE IR, but have used its cousin, MACO 820 AURA. In my opinion, your latent images will survive relatively unscathed over that time period. Bear in mind that you will be shooting throughout that time, so only your earliest latent images will be 3 weeks old. More important might be the issue of airport scanning if you are travelling that way.

Cheers, and enjoy your travelling.

 

[Lukas Werth]

Thank you, Tom, for your suggestions. Airport scanning is already done, took the film with me in the hand luggage.
But there is another point I forgot to mention, and can't find information about, so if anybody with experience could advice me here: it is likely to be quite hot on this journey, and humidity might also be high (I am also somewhat concerned about a possible formation of fungus in the lenses). Does the Efke stand these conditions, or is it likely to go bad?
This trip, if it materializes, is quite important for me, so I need to plan this.

 

[thefizz]

I have often developed Efke IR film which was exposed three or four weeks earlier and it was fine.

Peter

 

[mooseontheloose]

I've been developing HIE that was exposed over six months ago -- it's fine. (Never shot Efke though).

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Hi, Lukas. If your luggage space permits: medical clinics ship temperature sensitive items in small styrofoam cubes, as small as maybe 20cm square, and contain freezer packs that will stay frozen for a couple days. Often, hospitals and clinics simply dispose of these, but they are perfect for keeping films cool.

A small insulated lunch box with a freezer pack will work, too. Unless you are totally roughing it, your hosts will usually accomodate you and put it in their freezer overnight.

If you are unable to keep the films cool, well, that's the way it is. My own films warmed up several times in the desert, but were fine in the end. Finding places to load/unload HIE was more difficult.

 

[eye_of_wally]

The Efke IR820 film is my favorite film. You will have no issues at all developing it 3-4 weeks after it is shot, I found a roll in the bottom of my bag that was shot 9 months earlier and had zero issues with it. It is also not really a big deal to expose the film to hot and humid conditions. Summer before last I was in very hot and humid weather along the coast with no problems. I had to leave it in my car during the day a few times and had no problems.

 

[Lukas Werth]

The Efke IR820 film is my favorite film. You will have no issues at all developing it 3-4 weeks after it is shot, I found a roll in the bottom of my bag that was shot 9 months earlier and had zero issues with it. It is also not really a big deal to expose the film to hot and humid conditions. ...

Thank you, yours and others' responses have been really helpful. This means I may use the film.
Since you seem to know this film well, let me ask also about speed: is it really that slow as it is reported to be (~ASA 1) with an IR filter attached?
And, what happens with a normal red filter? I suspect the stron IR effect will not be there, but how are, for instance, the tonal values of foliage?
Finally, have you tried to take pictures at early morning or in the evening? Common sense seems to suggest that there will be more IR light present at these times, so what about filmspeed at these times (with IR filter)?

I live in Pakistan now, and here I will also make the journey on which I think of using this film. I will have to order the film from Germany (or rather someone probably will have to bring it for me), so any answers are of immense help for me in order to plan my use of Efke IR and the amount/format I should order.

 

[thefizz]

I use the Efke film at an ASA of 1.5 with an 715nm filter. I also use it with just a #29 red filter on sunny days and still get good IR effects.