Rollei Pan 25 - first results

[Kevin Caulfield]

I just developed my first roll of Rollei Pan 25. Thankfully I correctly guessed which of the three unmarked 120 rolls was my intended test roll. The test roll subject is my two sons on the older son's third birthday a couple of weeks ago. The other two rolls were taken a few weeks ago at the Twelve Apostles. Anyway, I used my usual FX39, and the Paterson time (1 + 14 at 6 mins at 20 C) and the roll is now drying, but I am very impressed with the tonality of the film, and also not surprised by some minimal subject blur (given the difficulties in getting children to stay still ). Are there any other users of Rollei Pan 25 out there? I've done a search, but did not find much.

 

[keithwms]

Let us see!

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Let us see!

Okay, now the pressure's really on, and we'll see if my first impressions are correct. I'll try to print and post some pics tomorrow - it's still a couple of hours before the film is dry (winter here and only 15 C in the darkroom).

 

[Curt]

Are there any other users of Rollei Pan 25 out there?

A... yes, It's my most used 120 roll film, Ilford Pan F being the second. I use Rodinal with it. It's fairly expensive compared to the other roll film in that speed range but it's worth every penny. I prefer Rollei and Ilford for the quality of product that I got from Agfa Pan 25 and Kodak Panatomic-X. With Efke and Adox I was getting too many defects, with Rollei and Ilford there are none, showing that it's not a processing and handling problem.

 

[2F/2F]

This is a great film. Not only is it good looking, but it is easily pliable in my experience. You can do all sorts of stuff with it...more than with Efke in my testing. I have pummeled this film with D-19 after deliberately underexposing it three stops, and I got the best looking near-halftone negatives I have ever got...and without any grain. (That was shooting 6x9, however.) Only Pan F has given similar results, and it kept more of the midtones than the Rollei and seemed grainer. I have also used compensating development with the Rollei much more succesfully than with Efke. However, I use Efke instead most of the time, as I prefer its basic look. I have never had a defect on their films; only their Emaks papers. In short, I would go for the Rollei if you want a highly tweakable 25-speed film. Go for the Efke if you want its unique look and don't need to manipulate your negs all that much.

 

[Klopstock]

What kind of film is that actually? As far as I know Rollei is a label and not a factory. Isn't that Efke film or what's inside the roll?

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Okay, I've posted an image in the Standard Gallery (and also hopefully here) called "Silly Faces". It's one of the sharper ones. (it's difficult to get sharply focused shots of moving subjects with such a slow film.) Just a couple of further comments on the film. Firstly, there were pinholes on quite a few frames (I use an acid stop bath), and secondly there is a lot of curl along the length of the film. Apart from that I'm still happy with the tonality of the film.

 

[Rolleijoe]

I use Rollei Ortho 25, but not the regular 25, so can't comment from personal use. But Rollei makes beautiful films, all worth their prices. And from the images I've seen the Rollei 25 is stunning.

 

[AgX]

What kind of film is that actually? As far as I know Rollei is a label and not a factory. Isn't that Efke film or what's inside the roll?

It could be the Rollei Pan 25 is related to the Orwo NP15 /Orwopan 25.

Anyway, the very film itself is made by Filmotec in Germany.

And brought to the market by Maco.
It seems that the Adox Pan 25 Pro by Fotoimpex is the same material.

 

[ssloansjca]

Is Rollei Pan 25 the same as Adox Pan 25, for sure?

~Steve Sloan

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Is Rollei Pan 25 the same as Adox Pan 25, for sure?

~Steve Sloan

Thats what many say..and be realistic..how many NEW ISO 25 emulsions do you think are out there? Huh? Both products HAVE to be something that was already made, perhaps for other uses.

 

[ssloansjca]

You are right, silly me.

Adox Pan 25 is so much cheaper too.

~Steve

 

[per volquartz]

I prefer Rollei 25 and Pan F - and Efke 25 - when shooting rol film

- processed in Pyro Rollo.

The negs look like they are engraved! SHARP! With a beautiful tonal range. I used to use Agfapan 25 a lot. Don't miss it. Rollei Pan 25 seems better to me as does the "old" look of Efke. Ilford Pan F is also a great film and a bit faster.

I rate Rollei 25 as ASA 15
Efke 25 as ASA 15
Pan F as ASA 40

- Almost exclusively process my BW negs (roll film as well as 5x7 and 8x10 sheet film) in Pyro Rollo from Bostick-Sullivan.
Stand development in Rodinal 1:100 gives a unique look too. Different from Pyro Rollo though!

Per Volquartz


Dead Link Removed
printsales@volquartz.com

 

[Curt]

I seem to have lost the instructions for the Rollo Pyro I purchased from B&S but I came across this video.

http://michaelegordon.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/how-to-video-daylight-sheet-film-4x5-development-2/

I plan to use it first with Rollei Pan 25, does anyone have the ratio of A and B and is the video correct in the use of C, Sodium Metaborate, as in the pre and post application?

Thanks,
Curt

Any others using Rollo Pyro and how are you mixing and using it with other films?

 

[Perry Way]

A... yes, It's my most used 120 roll film, Ilford Pan F being the second. I use Rodinal with it. It's fairly expensive compared to the other roll film in that speed range but it's worth every penny. I prefer Rollei and Ilford for the quality of product that I got from Agfa Pan 25 and Kodak Panatomic-X. With Efke and Adox I was getting too many defects, with Rollei and Ilford there are none, showing that it's not a processing and handling problem.

There's more difference than you may be accounting for. Efke and Adox are soft emulsion films. They call for a hardener bath or hardener in fixer in order to handle them. I didn't remember that little fact and for a while I was having some major problems, but then after I adjusted my routines in handling, that's when I got the good results from the Adox. The Adox films are on the top of my list of favorites now.

 

[37th Exposure]

I sure hope it's the same as the old Orwo NP15. Used it in the eighties because it was dirt cheap and got to love it for its tonality. The 120 stuff was however quite nasty as far as QC went and I never used it in 120 after a couple of bad rolls. Just got some Rollei Pan 25 and Adox Pan 25 to try out.

 

[mcfactor]

Yes, Rollei pan 25 is the same as Adox Pan 25 and the film is amazing! I shoot it in 8x10 and it is ridiculously sharp. The base is crystal clear and thin. The contrast is not hard to control, either. I develop it in Rod 1:100 and it has a really unique look.
Here are some examples:
http://www.noahmclaurine.com/Image.cfm?nK=9801&i=139811#3
http://www.noahmclaurine.com/Image.cfm?nK=11870&i=140477#2
http://www.noahmclaurine.com/Image.cfm?nK=11870&i=140467#21

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I have have a pack of this film (ADOX Pan 25) in 4x5" and this thread has reminded me to try it out soon. Agfa Rodinal is probably a good option, or perhaps a dilute Perceptol type developer...

Tom