Analog Therapy/Film Test: Ilford SFX 200 – 120 Format.

Analog Therapy/Film Test: Ilford SFX 200 – 120 Format.

In a prior post I stated that camera gear rabbit holes are a thing. They are everywhere. How I got here:

1. Bought a leatherette for a camera.
2. Emailed Hamish a “Hey. This is neat.” note about the leatherette.
3. Hamish replied that he knows the owner, and asked that I write a 35mmc review.
4. Me: Yep. Wrote a review. Checked recent 35mmc posts.
5. I see a post about Rollei Infrared 400.
6. I now want to try Rollei Infrared 400.
7. Visits local camera shop to pick up Infrared film.
   • Chris tells me about Ilford SFX.
   • Purchased Rollei Infrared 400, Ilford SFX, and necessary filters.
   • More on how this turns out in future posts.

This is one of those posts. As Chris explained Ilford SFX 200 is not really Infrared but gives an approximation when used with a red filter.

After a disappointing round with a full on Infrared film, I had success with a 35mm roll of Ilford SFX 200. With that I went ahead with the 120 roll I picked up. As before the thinking was that this was a safer bet because:

• The red filter required blocks less light than the 720 filter needed for the Rollei film so hand holding would be on the table.
• Unlike the first time with the Fujifilm GA645 the Contax G1 this time out I would compensate for the impact on the exposure.
  • 3 stop increase is the recommendation for a red 25 filter. Set the ISO to 50 and dialed in a stop of exposure compensation.
• Set up properly the GA645 is rock solid at exposure.

Once again as usual I developed it with Cinestill df96. Here are all 16 pics.

Thoughts.

I like it and will buy it again.

More?

While not a true Infrared look, I miss the white foliage aesthetic, but I do like it. Clouds render well, likely thanks to the red filter. The grain is pleasing while being sharp. Additionally, I am glad I have this red filter. I have seen great results with regular black and white film. That about wraps it up.

Happy capturing.

-ELW