Rollei Infrared vs. Konica Infrared

[Jennifer Holmes]

Anyone got experience using both of these films? What are the differences/similarities? Thanks.

 

[bob100684]

other than the konica being expired and most likely useless?

 

[keithwms]

Well the konica is a deeper IR film. I shot some [expired] konica last fall and it was basically fine; it gave good results with just a red filter. I didn't have enough to try various filters so I can't offer a fair comparison; my filte rof choice for the Rollei is the #87, although this requires ~2 sec exposures. Overall I found the expired konica rather grainy but otherwise quite nice. I didn't see any big issues such as those often reported for expired HIE.

I am a fan of the Rollei in 120 and 4x5, but will soon try the Efke in 5x7.

Rollei burned me a bit, they dangled a prototype IR film in front of my nose (actually they had several of us here shoot some to try it) and it was improved stuff, but they never brought it to market.

Anyway, given the choice between expired Konica and fresh Rollei, I'd take the Rollei.

 

[Gary Holliday]

Hi Jennifer and welcome to APUG. These links should help you make a decision on a new IR film:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/products/product_tests/infrared_film_004.php

http://www.digitaltruth.com/products/rollei_infrared.php

 

[Shmoo]

The Konica was my favorite choice for IR, but is sadly no longer. The 87 filter used on this film allowed you to capitalize on the higher end of the IR spectrum...giving you the IR effect without as much "glow". Lovely film...

 

[Jennifer Holmes]

why do you bother to respond if all you want to do is shit all over it!!? I was asking if anyone had used both at some point, and could they comment on the commonalities of the films, or not? I wasn't asking your opinion about the expiration dates of anything. Save your 'useless' opinion for yourself if that's the best you can do.

 

[luvmydogs]

whoa relax. A little sensitive here are we?

It's hard to convey tones over the web so I suggest you give the benefit of the doubt. You will find that most are very helpful here.

 

[thefizz]

other than the konica being expired and most likely useless?

Well it is expired but if you find some it shouldn't be useless if stored correctly. I shoot a roll of 35mm a few months ago which expired in 2005 and it worked out fine.

Of the current IR films available, I would expect the Rollei to be nearest in terms of grain and IR sensitivity to the Konica film.

 

[rusty71]

I shot the Konica IR extensively in 35mm and medium format. It was quite sensitive to IR light. The 35mm version seemed to be a bit faster than the medium format stuff. Like Kodak HIE, it gave great results with a wratten 25 red filter.
I've shot the Rollei film quite a bit too, and I just don't see how it's an infrared film. Even with a R72 filter the "wood effect" is negligible. The Efke is better for IR work, but super, super slow.

All of my Konica has been deep frozen and is fine. It's slow speed makes it less prone to fogging. Are you interested in the 35mm or 120 size? If you're into 120 I can let you have a roll. Just PM me and if you're in the US I'll mail it out tomorrow.

 

[donbga]

I shot the Konica IR extensively in 35mm and medium format. It was quite sensitive to IR light. The 35mm version seemed to be a bit faster than the medium format stuff. Like Kodak HIE, it gave great results with a wratten 25 red filter.
I've shot the Rollei film quite a bit too, and I just don't see how it's an infrared film. Even with a R72 filter the "wood effect" is negligible. The Efke is better for IR work, but super, super slow.

All of my Konica has been deep frozen and is fine. It's slow speed makes it less prone to fogging. Are you interested in the 35mm or 120 size? If you're into 120 I can let you have a roll. Just PM me and if you're in the US I'll mail it out tomorrow.

I'll have to agree with Rusty. Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting. IMO, one would be better off spending there money on getting a digital camera converted to a dedicated IR only instrument.

 

[Dave Miller]

I'll have to agree with Rusty. Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting. IMO, one would be better off spending there money on getting a digital camera converted to a dedicated IR only instrument.

What a totally depressing thought.

 

[Shmoo]

Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting.

Actually, it depends upon what you want out of the film.

The best thing you can do is to test out the film with various filters (25, 29, 87 89b, etc) and exposures (ISO 3/6/?) and see what you get out of it. Enjoy your experienting!!!

S

 

[thefizz]

I'll have to agree with Rusty. Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting. IMO, one would be better off spending there money on getting a digital camera converted to a dedicated IR only instrument.

What ever beaks your noodle but I'm having fun with the Efke and Rollei IR films

 

[Dave Miller]

What ever beaks your noodle but I'm having fun with the Efke and Rollei IR films

And from what I see in the gallery, getting worth while results.

 

[thefizz]

Ditto to you Dave

 

[donbga]

Ditto to you Dave

You should try processing your IR film in PMK pyro or Pyrocat-HD instead of Rodinal. Your negatives will be much easier to print, at least in my experience.

 

[keithwms]

Personally, I don't see digital IR as a viable tool. I certainly wish I could learn to like my highlights posterized; it'd save me a lot of money on film.

 

[rusty71]

I'll have to agree with Rusty. Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting. IMO, one would be better off spending there money on getting a digital camera converted to a dedicated IR only instrument.

I didn't quite say that! The Efke IR has a beautiful wood effect and IR sensitivity, almost as good as Kodak's. You'll just have to bring a tripod and lunch. As soon as they get cheaper on the used market I'm going to buy a 2nd D70 and hack it for infrared. It's not HIE, but it might be worth having one. I hope to shoot some EFKE IR in 120 this summer so have not given up on film IR yet. If only EFKE could make something as fast as Konica's old emulsion, at least ISO 25.

 

[donbga]

I didn't quite say that! The Efke IR has a beautiful wood effect and IR sensitivity, almost as good as Kodak's. You'll just have to bring a tripod and lunch. As soon as they get cheaper on the used market I'm going to buy a 2nd D70 and hack it for infrared. It's not HIE, but it might be worth having one. I hope to shoot some EFKE IR in 120 this summer so have not given up on film IR yet. If only EFKE could make something as fast as Konica's old emulsion, at least ISO 25.

Sorry, I didn't intend to put words in your mouth. But my criteria for rating current IR films are are based on using HIE as a bench mark and the Konica IR as a secondary comparison.

Efke is soooo slow and the IR sensitivity is not what I want. I always shoot of a tripod but the slow speed of Efke introduces problems of motion blur.

I'm not going to comment of digital cameras since that topic is off the reservation here in APUG land since I don't want to incur the wrath of the Four Horsemen.

Post something on hybridphoto.com and we can talk about it.

 

[Doug Webb]

I really liked Konica IR and would love to be able to continue to use it, but I can't find any. Efke is quite nice but somewhat different. I got my best images with Konica IR and an 89b filter, with Efke I generally use an 87. My exposure times can be quite long with Efke, going into the minutes at times. There are some posts in my gallery of both films and I think you will see if you look at them that a similar result can be had with the two films. I have only used Konica in medium format, did experiment with Efke in 35mm before buying more of it. I find the Efke to be very similar to the earlier Maco branded film, you can see some images from Maco as well in my gallery.
Hope you keep experimenting with these films, if we don't buy some of them and use them they will disappear.
Good luck,
Doug Webb

 

[Soeren]

I'll have to agree with Rusty. Now that HIE and Konica have bit the dust there are no IR films worth shooting. IMO, one would be better off spending there money on getting a digital camera converted to a dedicated IR only instrument.

Psst guys don't let Tom A know I told you this but the Rollei Superpan 200 shot with a 665 filter and developed in a Beutler C(oarse) G(rain) variant comes close to HIE. I just ordered the filters and will try it out myself.
SHHH Don't tell Tom

 

[Soeren]

And if the 665 is too black maybe thats a reason to start using Leica
Kind regards

 

[Jennifer Holmes]

hi rusty71,
thanks for your input. this is my first time using this site. didn't realize that what i write back to people will be read by everyone. hmmm.gave some shit to a guy who said that all Konica was useless crap since it was 'expired'...told him he was crap. Bad me... ;-) oh well...

I have used 'expired' Konica for years. It has been stored frozen for years and still works great. A friend of mine advised using the Rollei because it is still available for purchase...but I have yet to hear any positive feedback. I have not heard of EFKE before so that's another unknown...

I appreciate your offer to give me a roll of 120 Konica IF film to test out. That is very nice. I have a brick and a half still in the freezer and plan to use it all at some point, but in limited situations. I was hoping to find a worthy substitute. Thank you for the offer but I would hate to take a roll away from you that you would want to use for yourself. Much appreciated.

Thanks!
J

 

[Jennifer Holmes]

hey fizz,

thanks for the feedback. based upon your reply, I might give the Rollei a try ...at least a few rolls and see how it goes. thanks.

as you said, if stored correctly, the film (Konica) should last beyond it's expiration date...and has for me, so I'm willing to use it til it's gone.

Cheers to you in Ireland, and thanks for the encouragement.
JH

 

[Philippe Grunchec]

I use the expired Konica (35 and 120) with a 29 red filter and like it a lot!
I think there is a comparison between the Rollei and the Efke on Wolfgang Moersch's website.