Using Maco IR 820

jim appleyard · May 29, 2013

I was given a roll of 820C IR film and have never used this before. It expired in '05, but has been frozen.
I'll be using a Hoya R72 filter. What EI should I be using with a TTL meter in a Bronica? I can soup with Rodinal, D-76, Thornton's Two-Bath. Any suggestions? Anything weird to expect as this film is old? How well does it keep frozen?

Thanks

polyglot · May 29, 2013

It's the same emulsion as Dead Link Removed.

Short answer: 1s f/16 in full sunny-16 if it's sorta fresh. An extra half or whole stop to deal with age-related fog might be called for, depending on storage conditions.

It's naturally very grainy so I don't like it in Rodinal, but it's lovely in XTOL 1+1 and passable in D76 stock (quite soft).

ntenny · May 30, 2013

I've usually found I can get away with about EI 6 for this film with an R72 in the late afternoon. It's slower at midday, which seems counterintuitive but actually makes sense---the light skews more blue in the middle of the day, so there's less IR compared to visible light.

Two-bath developers are sort of interesting with this film; the extra compensation makes the IR effect less extreme, and you often get a more "natural"-looking image, but with the Wood effect (bright foliage) and haze penetration of IR film. I can't speak to how it behaves in the Thornton two-bath specifically, though.

-NT

jim appleyard · May 30, 2013

ntenny said:
I've usually found I can get away with about EI 6 for this film with an R72 in the late afternoon. It's slower at midday, which seems counterintuitive but actually makes sense---the light skews more blue in the middle of the day, so there's less IR compared to visible light.

Two-bath developers are sort of interesting with this film; the extra compensation makes the IR effect less extreme, and you often get a more "natural"-looking image, but with the Wood effect (bright foliage) and haze penetration of IR film. I can't speak to how it behaves in the Thornton two-bath specifically, though.

-NT

Interesting! This may be for nothing, tho'. When I loaded the film last evening, subdued light, the paper backing was so loose out of the wrapper that it was spongy and probably let in all kinds of light. Wonderful QC! I'll be using it on the shores of Lake George in the Adirondacks, a place I've been to mamy, many times and have globs of other photos. I'll have a good day, tho'.

jim appleyard · May 31, 2013

Shot the roll at EI 6 and souped in Diafine, yes Diafine and may have a passable image or two. I'll use fresh SFX next time. A nice day to be in the woods. Thanks gents.

Alex Muir · May 31, 2013

You should try the Rollei 400 IR if you can get if. It works well with the R72 filter and gives good IR effects. It's available as 120 and 35mm. I think it looks more IR than SFX, although I also like that film. Alex

jim appleyard · May 31, 2013

Alex Muir said:
You should try the Rollei 400 IR if you can get if. It works well with the R72 filter and gives good IR effects. It's available as 120 and 35mm. I think it looks more IR than SFX, although I also like that film. Alex

Yes, the specs show it goes more into the IR than SFX. I can get it from Freestyle. I've got some SFX to use yet, but next time I order from them. Thanks.

Using Maco IR 820

jim appleyard

polyglot

ntenny

jim appleyard

jim appleyard

Alex Muir

jim appleyard

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