True IR film from Ilford

Simonh82 · Oct 5, 2012

Hello, a few weeks ago as part of the thread on Fotokemika's demise ((there was a url link here which no longer exists)) Simon Galley said that he would look in to the feasibility of a true IR film being made by Ilford.

Is there any word on this? I am sure I am not alone when I say that the thought of having a true IR film, made with the high standards and QC that is inherent in all Ilford products would be really exciting. I know the chances of this are slim but would like to say that you would have a ready buyer in me and i'm sure many people here on APUG.

Any news would be appreciated.

rawhead · Oct 5, 2012

Nothing to add, except +1 from me, especially now that Efke IR820/Aura is going to be gone very soon.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 5, 2012

I for one would like see Ilford do this!

Jeff

Roger Cole · Oct 5, 2012

+2 or +3 or whatever. I'd always meant to get around to doing some IR but hadn't - then the Efke news hit. I've stocked up on IR820 but "stock up" means probably just enough to start getting the hang of it. I bet Ilford could make a film that's more sensitive too, more like HIE than IR820. That would be great. As soon as existing stock of IR820 dry up, including the additional shipment Freestyle expects, the Rollei will be the only IR film available, and it isn't that much different from the Ilford SFX. (But it is available in sheets, albeit reportedly annoyingly thin hard to deal with sheets.)

Scott Gibson · Oct 5, 2012

Just going to throw my two cents in here and say that I too would love to see Ilford release a "true" IR film. I can't speak for others, but if a high-quality, true-IR film were available new I'd even be willing to fork over $20 a roll for it if I had to - heck, people are already paying more than that for long-expired HIE!

Roger Cole · Oct 5, 2012

Yep. I just bought 10 rolls of 120 IR820 at $14.49 per roll. If I could get something more like HIE with Ilford quality, $20 would be acceptable.

In all honesty I'd probably only buy maybe 5-10 rolls a year, or maybe a 50 sheet box of 4x5, if available, every couple of years, but I think I'd buy that much.

Bob Carnie · Oct 5, 2012

My wife would leave me for Simon Galley if Ilford made a IR film that was like Kodaks.

BradleyK · Oct 5, 2012

Scott Gibson said:
Just going to throw my two cents in here and say that I too would love to see Ilford release a "true" IR film. I can't speak for others, but if a high-quality, true-IR film were available new I'd even be willing to fork over $20 a roll for it if I had to - heck, people are already paying more than that for long-expired HIE!

+1. I, too, would love the opportunity to shoot some real IR. While SFX is unique in its own way, it just does not give me quite image I am looking for. Given Ilford's quality, I would have no objection to paying a premium for it. Simon G, anything further on the issue to share with us:confused:?

iulian · Oct 5, 2012

I would also buy it if it was true IR (native blue sensitivity and IR dye, not panchromatic wit a bit of NIR thrown in for good measure). We have semi-IR solutions from Rollei and Ilford already. It should be easier to make the emulsion adsorb just the IR sensitizing dye instead of all the dyes needed for PAN and also some dye for IR.
This would also derail my plan to standardize on Acros/Delta 100 and Rollei IR, but I'm willing to live with that

Ken Nadvornick · Oct 5, 2012

Bob Carnie said:
My wife would leave me for Simon Galley if Ilford made a IR film that was like Kodaks.

:eek:

Ken

Rob_5419 · Oct 6, 2012

Bob Carnie said:
My wife would leave me for Simon Galley if Ilford made a IR film that was like Kodaks.

Simon is a busy man. She'd have to be worth her weight in silver ...halides!

Go Ilford go! Ilford Pan F+ with extended IR sensitivity to 950nm in 120roll (35mm midgets get a release 1 year later of course).

We're not asking for much

Dave Swinnard · Oct 6, 2012

Rob_5419 said:
Go Ilford go! Ilford Pan F+ with extended IR sensitivity to 950nm in 120roll (35mm midgets get a release 1 year later of course). We're not asking for much

While we're asking for stuff (hey, Christmas is coming...) How about true IR in 4x5? I shot with Kodak's in the '80s and loved it. Didn't use it often, but sometimes it was just the right thing. I'd buy some again. (but I would take the 120 if offered too)

rawhead · Oct 6, 2012

Yes, 4x5 and 120; I need 'em both! I currently have 25 sheets of expired HIE (still good), 130 or so sheets of IR820, and just a couple rolls of IR820 Auras in the fridge... The HIE is so nice because I can shoot it handheld with my Speed Graphic..!

Roger Cole · Oct 6, 2012

I laid in 15 rolls of 120 IR820 at the news, about all I felt like buying of a film I've never shot that cost $12 (first 5 rolls I bought) and then $14.49 (10 more rolls) each. None in 4x5. If Freestyle gets some in for that last shipment I may get some. Thing is, I have normal screw in IR72 filters for my 35mm and MF cameras. Two of my three 4x5 lenses are odd sizes though and I use a 3x3 filter holder. I don't have a red #25 or 29 either as I find I don't one stronger than a 23 with normal film, but that won't cut it with these IR films, so I'd have to do something about that.

I'm sure I would if I could get Ilford IR. As it is with only Rollei in 4x5...meh. I would probably just stick to medium format, maybe some 35mm.

winger · Oct 7, 2012

Dave Swinnard said:
While we're asking for stuff (hey, Christmas is coming...) How about true IR in 4x5? I shot with Kodak's in the '80s and loved it. Didn't use it often, but sometimes it was just the right thing. I'd buy some again. (but I would take the 120 if offered too)

I never had the chance to shoot 4x5 IR, so I'd really love to now.

Jeff Bannow · Oct 7, 2012

I would also buy some in 4x5 and 120.

mono · Oct 7, 2012

Me too!

Rob_5419 · Oct 7, 2012

To be honest, I'm retired, and happy if Ilford don't retire any film products.

A new film product from Ilford will be truly exciting. I can't remember any recent new film products, other than format size adjustments for marketing.

Preferable 'extreme' or specialist niche: extreme IR; or extreme slow grain IR film like Pan IR F+ ; not just medium grain FP4+ used as a substrate. Or even extreme speed (Ilford Delta 3200 sensitised to 850nm would be). Please don't make it another FP4+ with extended red sensitivity to another 100nm. That would be the definition of Kodak: an anti-climax. Unless it was in sheet film ....hmmm maybe then it would be exciting

polyglot · Oct 7, 2012

New emulsion be damned, I'd settle for 4x5" sheets of SFX200. A lot less technology risk for Ilford and therefore IMHO more likely to happen.

However, I do have a good stash of IR820 (~10 rolls and 200 sheets) so I'm not in nearly as much hurry as others might be. And I'm so glad I shot a bunch of it while I was in Mongolia!

iulian · Oct 8, 2012

There are cheaper alternatives to SFX, including in 4x5 sheets. A true IR film would be the best thing since sliced bread

eclarke · Oct 8, 2012

I am addicted to the Aura 4x5. Will buy it in 4x5, 5x7, 8x10 and 11 x14.. I would also jump all over a traditional film with no anti halation layer.

PeterB · Oct 8, 2012

Wow. The potential of a true IR film from Ilford in at least 120 format is getting me very excited !! I am a veteran HIE user and still have some rolls in the freezer (albeit in 35mm format). I know (there was a url link here which no longer exists) would be excited about this indeed, at one point he shared with me that was going to meet with PE and learn the black art of using this special IR sensitive dye (in HIE) which is apparently hard/impossible to buy anymore.

I would be happy to pay $20/roll for this. I would be even happier if it had no antihalation layer to further mimic the ethereal and dreamy characteristic of HIE.

So Simon, is it worth us trying to drum up some support for this from our fellow film enthusiasts ?

Stephen Frizza · Oct 8, 2012

I never learned HIE type emulsions from P.E though ide have loved to. P.E has been instrumental with guidance and expertise to me on many other things. I am lucky enough to have hundreds upon hundreds of rolls of HIE and EIR in deep deep freeze. but in saying this, it was a film i loved and I supported it by buying large quantities. (its a shame others didnt do the same or it might still be with us) I also have a few hundred sheets of HIE in 4x5" so meh I don't care for the prospect of Ilford making a new true infra red film. I also get pleasure knowing if I use my reserve of this film in the future in contemporary ways I will be able to achieve imagery with looks others can not.

If I was Ilford I would be very very wary of venturing into true Infra Red. The cost of R&D and production of the film versus the profits from quantity sold would have to be taken into extreme consideration. I feel although loved, these types of films have been discontinued for good reason. When I ask the bulk of people who love these films how much they would be willing to spend to buy a roll and how many rolls they would realistically shoot per year I would advise Ilford to snuff out any talk of such films being resurrected. Sorry to throw the unexpected out there.

Stephen Frizza · Oct 8, 2012

PeterB said:
I would be happy to pay $20/roll for this. I would be even happier if it had no antihalation layer to further mimic the ethereal and dreamy characteristic of HIE.

$20.00 a roll? HIE cost more than that retail when it was discontinued. If such a film came back into production I would expect it to come back for far higher, twice perhaps three times the cost of the past. If photographers baulk at the price the question needs to be asked, how much are the images your producing with the medium worth? I know its not what people want to hear and sorry to be a Buzz Kill but I'm being as realistic as possible.

Roger Cole · Oct 8, 2012

I'd shoot 5-10 rolls a year at $20 a roll, at a guess. Probably at least 50 sheets of 4x5 if it wasn't more than, say, $2 per sheet too.

I've no idea how many other folks would or how many Ilford would need. But I don't think this is exactly a black art. Simon said they could easily do it, if the demand is there. Maybe a once per year special run, or even two years - it seems to keep well enough for those periods if kept frozen.

I have 15 rolls of 120 IR820 in my freezer now - well, 14 rolls with one in a 645 Pro back - and 10 rolls of IR820Auro 35mm.

True IR film from Ilford

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