Rollei Superpan 200 and Ilford Perceptol

psmithp

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
48
Location
Allerød, Denmark
Format
Multi Format
Has anybody tried this combination? The Massive Development Chart does not suggest any development times. I would like the quality of FP4 but a bit more sensitivity as 50 ASA is on the low side if you shoot indoors with natural light.
 

Anon Ymous

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
3,663
Location
Greece
Format
35mm
Truth be told, I have never used this film, but the fact is that the true ISO speed of this film isn't 200. With a reasonably good developer you can expect about 100-125 ISO, so you're not gaining anything vs FP4 plus. With Perceptol, you can expect some speed loss, a stop or thereabouts.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,760
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
Good question, as an aero recon film have no idea how it would work with a fine grain developer like Perceptol, when in the US Air Force in the 70s we always used an accuance type developer for recon film to maximize fine detail. I shot one roll of Rollie 200, I had used ISO 200, but should have shot at 100 for better shadow details, if as noted by Anon Ymous you will lose a stop with Perceptol (Kodak Microdal X), I would shot at 50 and develop for 10 mint stock. Hopefully someone will have real world experience.
 

pentaxuser

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
20,031
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm
The loss of a stop with Perceptol is not a certainty. If you look at the Ilford info on Perceptol it varies with the film and dilution

pentaxuser
 

albireo

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
Messages
1,438
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
psmithp said:
Has anybody tried this combination? The Massive Development Chart does not suggest any development times. I would like the quality of FP4 but a bit more sensitivity as 50 ASA
Click to expand...

did you mean PanF there?
 

Ivo Stunga

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
1,198
Location
Latvia
Format
35mm
@albireo hints at FP4 Plus being 125 film whereas you're quoting 50.

So it's either different film, or you're engaging in Pulling, or do you want a slower film with similar properties to FP4?
 
OP
OP

psmithp

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
48
Location
Allerød, Denmark
Format
Multi Format
koraks said:
I assume this is because Perceptol, as most fine-grain developers, will result in a lower effective film speed and that OP is probably shooting his FP4+ at EI50 for this reason. Is that what's happening, @psmithp?
Click to expand...

Exactly - and is what Ilford recommends
 
OP
OP

psmithp

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
48
Location
Allerød, Denmark
Format
Multi Format
Ivo Stunga said:
@albireo hints at FP4 Plus being 125 film whereas you're quoting 50.

So it's either different film, or you're engaging in Pulling, or do you want a slower film with similar properties to FP4?
Click to expand...

Ilford recommends 50 ASA for FP4 in Perceptol and I assume that Superpan will behave similarly - but be a bit faster. From the other replies I gather that it may not be the case.
 

albireo

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
Messages
1,438
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Is Rollei Superpan as red sensitive as Rollei Retro 400s? If it is, it might not be a good replacement for Ilford FP4+, regardless of ISO speed rating, as FP4+ has a pretty standard panchromatic response.

Something to keep in mind if you take pictures of pale white people. The way highly red-sensitive film (eg Rollei Retro 400s, Fomapan 400, Fuji Acros) renders pale complexion is not to everyone's liking.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

psmithp

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
48
Location
Allerød, Denmark
Format
Multi Format

Thanks for the tip. And I agree - you can create some very ghostly faces digitally when converting from colour to b&w simulating a red filter.
 
OP
OP

psmithp

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
48
Location
Allerød, Denmark
Format
Multi Format
psmithp said:
Has anybody tried this combination? The Massive Development Chart does not suggest any development times. I would like the quality of FP4 but a bit more sensitivity as 50 ASA is on the low side if you shoot indoors with natural light.
Click to expand...

I wrote to Rollei and they replied as follows:

Superpan 200 in Perceptol: 200 ISO: 1+1, 14’, 1’ pre-washing, 20°C.

When I have tried it, I'll post my opinion. Thanks to all for their contributions
 

JPD

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
2,157
Location
Sweden
Format
Medium Format
If skin tones turn out to be too pale you can use a blue filter to correct for that.

For landscapes the extended red sensitivity means that you don't need a yellow or orange filter to darken the sky.
 

Alan Johnson

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 16, 2004
Messages
3,288

Here: List of repackaged Agfa Aviphot Pan 80 and 200 films and Kentmere 100 and 400 films

I just want to fulfill a wish by some forum members and a moderator: Here is the list of current repackaged (rebranded) Agfa Aviphot Pan 80 and 200 films and Kentmere 100 and 400 films: Agfa Aviphot Pan 80: Repackaged as Rollei Retro 80s and Rollei RPX 25. Agfa Aviphot Pan 200: Repackaged as...
www.photrio.com
Superpan 200 is believed repackaged Aviphot 200.

Developer for Aviphot Pan 200

Agfa Aviphot Pan 200 is sold for aerial photography and for this purpose gives a high contrast as the land photographed has relatively low contrast. I believe it is sold in 35mm eg as Rollei Retro 400s.The resolution is up to 181 lppm. For aerial photography it is developed in Agfa G74c plus...
www.photrio.com
 

albireo

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
Messages
1,438
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
JPD said:
For landscapes the extended red sensitivity means that you don't need a yellow or orange filter to darken the sky.
Click to expand...

Exactly. And that is why Fomapan 400 and Rollei Retro 400s (to name two I know well) are spectacular choices for landscape/urban/architectural photography. It's basically like having a free orange filter on at all times, minus the 2 stop loss.
 
Last edited:

Mark J

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2023
Messages
438
Location
Denbigh, North Wales UK
Format
Multi Format
Superpan emulsion is a recon film. Recon films almost always have extended red sensitivity or IR sensitivity, to cut through haze. Technical Pan was another example that made it into the mainstream. Superpan is probably the same emulsion as Rollei IR and Aviphot 200. It has sensitivity up to 760 or 770nm, just check the datasheet. I have been using it through the Spring this year ( I shot about 6 rolls ) as an IR film , using a Hoya R72. It works very well in that mode.
 

Ivo Stunga

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
1,198
Location
Latvia
Format
35mm
psmithp said:
Ilford recommends 50 ASA for FP4 in Perceptol and I assume that Superpan will behave similarly - but be a bit faster. From the other replies I gather that it may not be the case.
Click to expand...

Didn't know/haven't stubbled upon that, my bad if that's the case.

But as stated above by members: Superpan won't be near a direct replacement as it renders the scene differently/is sensitive to light differently than FP4+

I too use it as IR film - interchangeably with Adox HR-50/Scala 50, Rollei RPX 25, Retro 80S, Retro 400S, and Infrared 400. And Astrum/Tasma FN64, Foto 100 and 200 too, which could be another Aviphot incarnation, coming on similarly looking, feeling and smelling film than Rollei's repackaging of Aviphot Pan 80 and Pan 200

IR slides look lovely
 

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
23,568
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Ivo Stunga said:
Didn't know/haven't stubbled upon that, my bad if that's the case.
Click to expand...

They give a development time for FP4+ EI 50 in Perceptol in the Perceptol datasheet. But at the same time they also provide times for higher EI's. I haven't been able to locate anything from Ilford that the 'real' speed of the film would be limited to 50. I doubt they'd say something like this.
 

Slixtiesix

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
1,408
Format
Medium Format
If you like the FP4+ and Perceptol combination (which I do as well), why not try HP5+ with Perceptol? It will give you a useable speed around 250 ISO.
I used that with great results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…