Infrared Film not as expected

[pentaxuser]

I'm just guessing, but I think the comment about regular labs not being able to develop the film may be trying to "play it safe" - some labs may use IR light and goggles for darkroom work.

You may well be right. It a good reason but if it was that reason then just a pity that the seller's advice doesn't expand on what was meant

pentaxuser

 

[DcAnalogue]

Got nice results (either with Rollei 400 IR or with Ilford SfX) using an IR72 cheap chinese filter.
Of course you have to adapt the exposure to the actual sensitivity using that filter.. i.e. giving 6/7 stop more respect than @ box speed.

You can check my Film Blog for more

E.g. (Rollei IR 400)

E.g. (Ilford SFX)

 

[Punker]

I never bought the FPP stuff because I assumed, based on price, that it was just the weaker SFX200 from Ilford. I've seen decent IR examples from that film using an R72 filter, but you'll never get any IR effect from any film with a Red 25. I've tried.

I'd just stick with the Rollei Infrared 400 stuff. I love it, looks great, and it's still in production.

 

[ME Super]

I've not shot the Ilford SFX 200, but have shot the Rollei IR400S (Rollei Retro 400 is reportedly the same emulsion) at EI 25 through the equivalent of an R72 on a bright sunny day. Actually, I have a roll of the Rollei in the camera right now! I do get dark skies, and white foliage on the scans I get back from the lab (warning! hybrid process!). There's no need to shift focus; I usually just throw on a 28mm lens, set it at f/8 and 10 feet. Everything from 5 feet to infinity is in focus this way. Only 2 things are missing from the results: the big grain (this film is fine-grained for an ISO 400 film) of HIE, and the blooming effect.

 

[Arctic amateur]

The red IR mark on old lenses is probably for EIR and HIE, which were sensitive much farther into the near-IR spectrum. The focusing of the IR light that the Rollei films are sensitive to isn't going to be much different from visible light.

 

[AgX]

No, EIR was intended for imaging as well part of the visible spectrum as IR.

Also the IR-focus marks of common lenses are not necessarily based on 900mm or so, rather to the contrary.
Best is to test focus with your film/filter/lens combo.

 

[LAG]

Exactly! you can't always trust your lenses, can you? (not only in this IR case, with just a simple filter) Which means what it's been said above, "focus" bracketing!

 

[Ashfaque]

In case someone is interested, there is a nice IR film comparison done by Gary A. Reese, available on Digitaltruth Photo. Some of the films are not currently in production though.

Bests,
Ashfaque