Ilford SFX 200 ASA

I've read some reviews about this film but went ahead and tried it myself. What I've found after a few rolls of the stuff is that a person needs to use a heavy red filter to obtain the desired Infrared effect. At first I just used my B&W red filter and got not much if anything in return. After purchasing a Hoya R72 things began to happen and I got a substantial boost in the Infrared spectrum. This filter is so dense you can't see through it and cost about five stops of light, also I personally feel the ISO rating of 200 is a stop over what it should be. By setting the film ISO at 100 using the Hoya R72 filter and allowing for five stops for the filter factor I've produced some amazing scenic and portraiture images. I use the Hoya R72 Infrared filter on my 35mm cameras mostly a Nikon FM3a but when using any of my medium format cameras I switch to a filter specifically designed for this film. Unlike other Infrared films SFX doesn't appear as sensitive to the infrared sprocket counting beam emitted by modern automatic SLR's. I'll admit I've used SFX in both my Canon SLR cameras and did experience some fogging along the sprocket edge but NOT into the frame. What it didn't like was the imprinter from my 645N putting frame data along the edge, easily solved by turning it off. Ilford makes a specific filter for the SFX 200 available in the Cokin "P" series mount and this filter is what I use with my medium format images. This filter Cat # 191 1176 produces results better then the Hoya R72 and it was only $24.99 Canadian a lot less then the R72 if I remember correctly. I think some of these reviews are made after the photographer has run a roll or maybe three through their camera and received mixed results for their efforts. Can't say how many rolls I screwed up before getting quality results however now I know to rate the film at ISO 100 and use an R72 filter and a filter factor of five stops. Go shoot some you might like it. Robert from Canada

This film is great as I can use it as a regular B&W and when a shot cries out for Infrared I can slip a red R72 filter on and make the shot. Sensitive to red filters so my "normal" B&W red and orange filters produce more dramatic results It's relatively inexpensive in comparison to some other specialty films I've used Don't need to load or unload in the dark handles the same as any other slide or negative films Nice grain as long as you overexpose it a little by setting ISO at 100 Produces pleasing 16x20's and I've got several 20x20's of November storm clouds and surf

Aah? Can't say I found any unless you consider the over rating of the ISO

I don't believe there are any similar products as this is a near Infrared and Kodak produces an Infrared film. Konica produces a red sensitive film also but to date I haven't had the pleasure of using any

None required

despite the disappointing reviews found here, i had to try this film myself. who could resist an black and white film that could pass as infrared? despite the extended red sensitivity, i was disappointed indeed... much on par with previous reviews. there was soem form of infrared, but i thought the grain was ghastly when blown to a 12 by 18 inches. looks like a photoshop filter(no offense to adobe). anyways, i still recommend you try it for yourself and make your own conclusions, i was just disappointed by the grain and conclusions i had jumpt to before actually using the film, which let me down.

All I can say about this film is that it's interesting. It's somewhere in between true infared and B&W. I used a dark red filter. I got some interesting shots with buildings with the sky in the background. It's not a film I'll shoot too often($$$), but good for those days when I need a change of pace.

Adds a twist to B&W photography. Good grain, good contrast with a red filter.

rather expensive

I like it; don't expect the way out Kodak effect but sometimes the semi-surreal look you get from SFX more intruiging.

Nice - just different enough - look (when used with red filter), fine grain, easy to handle.

None if you take it for what it is.

It's worth a try because it is low grain and it does have great possibilities. Definitely not something a pro would find useful. Great for experimental use and beginners/intermidiates like myself.

I have a Nikon N80 I can't use "true" infrared films, so this is a great alternative. A great way to "get one's feet wet" with Infrared photography. Low grain, versatile, no dark room loading necessary, doesn't appear to be affected by temperature changes (doesn't need to be stored in a cooler like I've heard true infrared films do).

Hit or miss. Some of the pics turned out great, as if they were taken with a true infrared film: dark sky and BRIGHT white foliage. Others looked like plain old black and white pictures taken with regular film.

None.