Rollei IR400 film for scanning

[maher]

Hi all,

I've just ran a test roll of Rollei IR400 film over the weekend. Although I've not had chance to analyse the infra-red capabilities as yet (it was late last night when I'd got the thing scanned), thought it was worth posting that this film produces really excellent results when scanned - far better than the Ilford & Kodak b&w film I've been using (HP5 sucks, TriX sucks, Delta400 is ok, but this stuff is excellent).

I'm suffering greatly at the moment using an old Minolta Scan Dual 4. Most of the b&w films scanned show up excessive noise in the dark areas (clear areas on the neg) and a general lack-lustre feel. So far, this Rollei film is the first I've tried which has produced a good contrast image with visible grain rather than excessive noise. Alas this images are still lacking somewhat, but I'm already committed to throwing the scanner out the window for more than this reason.

The film was processed in ID-11 for 6mins(20degC). Unlike the dreaded Kodak HIE, this film doesn't need special handling - hurrah! Means I don't have to sit on park benches with a changing bag on my lap, giving people the impression I'm fiddling with myself! Also comes in a half the price of Kodak HIE to buy, and a damn sight less than that when you don't have to bracket every exposure!

My only assumption why this film is so good to scan is a combination of good grain structure and a clear base. The dark-grey bases of the ilford films probably reduce the scanners A/D range quite drastically.

I'll get some pictures up once I've had chance to post-process them and analyse the IR capabilities.

Mat

 

[keithwms]

Interesting. You know, dr5 claims that it is maybe even better than scala when processed by their method; I haven't done that yet because it is so expensive that when you add on dr5 processing.... and I still have some scala left. Anyway the base is indeed a blessing.

By the way, if you look at the link below, you will see some flatbed scans from Rollei 400 IR in 120 format. The main photo that you see is in fact about a ~2/3 frame crop so the detail crops are extreme crops, and even with flatbed, not half bad in terms of detail in an IR 400 film, I think. As I recall the developer was xtol. Indeed, I also had a nice feeling about the scanned grain, I don't think it is offensive at all (but I am willing to hear opinions to the contrary!)...

http://keithwilliamsphoto.net/Photography with Invisible Light/Mares and Foals.html

Incidentally, I normally shoot the Rollei IR with a #87 and EV+12 filter compensation.

For smaller formats you might consider xtol or perceptol but I use ID-11 1+1 for 4x5 Rollei.

 

[maher]

Given the choice, I normally use Ilfortec DD-X to develop films. Currently using ID-11 as I'm now based over in Germany, but have yet to find anywhere local which can supply the stuff. Never actually used Xtol, so it'll be worth a go (if I can find any).

Having a look at the scans last night, they have come through extremely well on scan, but the actual infra-red effects are poor. This is no doubt because I'm using a #25 red filter, rather than an #87. A throw-back to using HIE - where you could get away with a 3-stop filter and still get the effect.

Like everything else in photography, I'm still trying to find the balance between getting the shot but not overloading myself with equipment. Unfortunately it's not a balance I've balanced yet since loosing the darkroom. I tend to shoot mainly iso400 film, which is proving pretty ropey for scanning, but needs must when most of the shots are taken in the UK or northern europe, mainly in winter!

I spent a weekend in Budapest last January. Bronica SQA hung round my kneck, FM3 on the shoulder and digi SLR plus lenses for all in the backpack, walking for miles in temperates averaging -17degC. That was my limit - I'll be damned if I'm carrying a tripod too!!!

Mat

 

[keithwms]

I heard on apug that the Efke is somewhat more IR sensitive, but I have general concerns about their stuff. Anyway you can probably get by with an rm72 filter. That gets you into the handheld range as long as you can shoot at f/4 or faster.

Bear in mind that the IR "effects" in the winter are generally quite subdued, and if you don't have sunny-16 light, you can forget the Rollei/87 unless you either have a tripod or a fast lens. But in April you can do handheld stuff with the #87 with the Rollei stuff; my shots in New York were without a tripod, just braced against something and ~ half sec exposures as I recall. I quite like the motion, it made me think more about the scene.

 

[stradibarrius]

I tried shooting some indoors with halogen lights to see if I could get any IR effect. On several shots I forgot my 89B filter and when I processed the film I was amazed at how good a B&W film it is!!! very sharp, great tonal range and edge sharpness. It scans very nicely too.

 

[Thingy]

Given the choice, I normally use Ilfortec DD-X to develop films. Currently using ID-11 as I'm now based over in Germany, but have yet to find anywhere local which can supply the stuff. Never actually used Xtol, so it'll be worth a go (if I can find any)...

Mat

Hi Mat

If you are still stationed in Germany, you can get Ilfortec DD-X and other chemicals, film, etc, from MACO, below.

http://macodirect.de/ilford-ilfotec-ddxbr1-liter-p-1671.html

Steve