Rollei IR processing issues

[Fraunhofer]

Today I developed 4 sheets of Rollei IR for 14 min in Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 @20C and they all came out looking 2-3 stops underexposed. Each sheet was shot under rather different conditions and only one with a red filter, so a processing snafu is totally possible. So what are folks using as developer and time for that film? Or any other hints?

Of course, I would not exclude that I just really screwed up

 

[grainyvision]

Is it under exposed (ie, shadows have no visible detail) or under developed (ie, shadows have very faint and probably unprintable detail). Also any possibility that your camera is messing up in some way?

 

[Fraunhofer]

I’d say more like underdeveloped. The shutter on that specific lens usually is pretty accurate, so I do not suspect the camera.

 

[removedacct1]

The recommended dilution for Pyrocat HD with this film is 1:1:50, not 1:1:100

 

[revdoc]

Have you used this film before? Do you know that its speed is closer to 150 than 400?

 

[Fraunhofer]

Have you used this film before? Do you know that its speed is closer to 150 than 400?

Yes, I even found the correct Agfa data sheet: Aviphot Pan 200. Also, I am not just missing 1-1.5 stops, it's clearly much more than that, underdeveloped is a likely culprit.

I have use this film before with good success a roll film in HC110, but for sheet film I prefer Pyrocat HD.

 

[Fraunhofer]

The recommended dilution for Pyrocat HD with this film is 1:1:50, not 1:1:100

Paul, do you have any times to go with that recommendation?

 

[removedacct1]

Paul, do you have any times to go with that recommendation?

The massive dev chart suggests 7:30 at 21C using the 1:1:50 dilution, and exposing the film at 1/2 box speed. I have no idea if this recommendation is sufficiently different from what you did to account for the density loss you saw. Is it possible your Pyro has fatigued?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have been using this film for several years now...developed in Pyrocat-HD 1+1+50. 21C....can't remember the time off the top of my head, but it's continuous agitation in BTZS tubes. With the 72 filter, I use EI 3-6. Without filter, EI 200.

 

[Sirius Glass]

How about telling us the film speed you used? Showing us the negatives?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

How about telling us the film speed you used? Showing us the negatives?

That would help. And... which red filter he used...which EI...

 

[Fraunhofer]

Will upload image of negative later. EI is 200, the issue exists with w/o filter, too. Pyrocat dead, unlikely since I used it fairly regularly out of the same bottle for other films.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Will upload image of negative later. EI is 200, the issue exists with w/o filter, too. Pyrocat dead, unlikely since I used it fairly regularly out of the same bottle for other films.

Which red filter are you using?

 

[Fraunhofer]

Which red filter are you using?

Andrew, in this case I am not after IR effects, I just am trying to understand how to use this film w/o filter. In the past I have used this film to good effect with a IR720 and got white leaves and all that, but in HC110.

This is very specifically about how to treat this film in Pyrcocat.

Photo of negative on light table (and yes, I know there's a light leak, this is a problem with that specific holder). This is a sunset, I measured the foreground grass at EV7 and the brightest part of the sky at EV15, I put zone V on EV9.

 

[glbeas]

Looks like you lifted the film holder a bit when you were moving the dark slide. Looks like the biggest problem is underexposure, theres faint detail in the landscape but needs more light.

 

[removedacct1]

Looks like you lifted the film holder a bit when you were moving the dark slide. Looks like the biggest problem is underexposure, theres faint detail in the landscape but needs more light.

Agreed. The problem is not underdevelopment but under exposure.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Andrew, in this case I am not after IR effects, I just am trying to understand how to use this film w/o filter. In the past I have used this film to good effect with a IR720 and got white leaves and all that, but in HC110.

This is very specifically about how to treat this film in Pyrcocat.

Photo of negative on light table (and yes, I know there's a light leak, this is a problem with that specific holder). This is a sunset, I measured the foreground grass at EV7 and the brightest part of the sky at EV15, I put zone V on EV9.

I only use Pyrocat-HD. I use an EI of 200... I'll try to remember to check development times I use, when I get home today, and post them here...

 

[Sirius Glass]

It is beyond waste to use IR film as a panchromatic film. What will you do next use IR film for orthochromatic photographs?

 

[Fraunhofer]

It is beyond waste to use IR film as a panchromatic film. What will you do next use IR film for orthochromatic photographs?

Did you pay for my film?

I am really trying to figure out development/exposure w/o filter first...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It is beyond waste to use IR film as a panchromatic film. What will you do next use IR film for orthochromatic photographs?

Well, it might be a waste to you. I often have used Rollei IR for just the pan look. That is what is nice about this film. Heck, I've even shot HIE without a filter...but that's a real IR film. To me, Rollei IR is just an extended red.

 

[Fraunhofer]

I only use Pyrocat-HD. I use an EI of 200... I'll try to remember to check development times I use, when I get home today, and post them here...

Thanks, I would appreciate that.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thanks, I would appreciate that.

My N time is 7:30 @ 21C. Pyrocat-HD (10ml + 10ml + 500ml water). Remember, my times are based on continuous agitation.
I've also included a reciprocity compensation chart that I generated myself. I've used it for years without issue.

 

[pentaxuser]

Well, it might be a waste to you. I often have used Rollei IR for just the pan look. That is what is nice about this film. Heck, I've even shot HIE without a filter...but that's a real IR film. To me, Rollei IR is just an extended red.

Well all I can say to you Andrew to help this thread along is: "Why don't you go and live in Manitoba - a much more sensible place and to Fraunhofer who lives on the East Coast is that I have never understood why everyone doesn't live on the West Coast.

If I can think of more help I can give both of you in respect of Rollei IR Processing I will of course contribute again but hopefully this is enough to be going on with

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

It is beyond waste to use IR film as a panchromatic film. What will you do next use IR film for orthochromatic photographs?

Ilford SFX exposed without a filter.
Ilford/Harman liked it enough to award it a "honourable mention" in the Ilford APUG print competition many years ago.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Ilford SFX exposed without a filter.
Ilford/Harman liked it enough to award it a "honourable mention" in the Ilford APUG print competition many years ago.
View attachment 248539

Nice one, Matt. And congrats!