Got this in a mixed bundle and thought I’d try it with a red filter. Despite calculating using a meter, I found the shots a bit over exposed and the effect a bit less than hoped for - there was more of a softness and more noise than expected. Shots taken without the filter worked well but not really better than HP5 or even Kentmere 400, which I use as a cheap all purpose. Overall it was a fun experiment but not sure I’d repeat on this stock.

All I had left at the bottom of my bag film-wise, so with an empty camera staring at me it was load up or leg it.

I tried pushing it to 400 and it delivered reasonable if noisy results without the extra contrast you'd have hoped for - see the enlarged section of the tractor.

Probably worth buying if you want to give the infra-red trick a try with a red filter (see the Tips n Tricks video...), but not up to the standard of other Ilford emulsions if you just chuck it in and shoot it as it comes.

Doesn't produce the IR effects of Rollei IR even if you use a red filter. Also tried with IR filters. However, very good results and good speed.

Tried this out in the Lomography Fisheye 2 with a Hoya r72 filter. The camera doesn't have a tripod hole these were hand-held long exposures of around 10 seconds (perhaps a little overexposed due to the strong light conditions). Fun as an experimental black and white film to get those dreamy white foliage and clouds. Interesting results if you play about with colourising these in post too.

I had another roll of this shizz, so while I gave it three stars because I didn't exactly fall in love with it the first time around, I gave it a second chance.

These was shot in stronger - as in right over the back of your loaf lighting - and they're not so bad.

I never got the infra-red vibe out of it, despite using a red filter so dark even Nostradamus would struggle to see through it.

And noisy, probably not helped by dropping the blacks a bit and giving the contrast a tickle in post.

But it's given me an idea - like give the wolf a blast of flash next time - so maybe good enough to get another roll in the stash.

Shot it through a red filter as suggested and the results were just too noisy for my liking.

You'd probably do better with one of the bog-standard mid-speed films like HP5 if this is anything to go by.

Great film, lots of contrast, lots of texture. Works well on bright days. Has higher than normal grain. I would definitely shoot again.

Photo by reviewer: False Spirea Starburst, Cheshire, 2024.

I loaded this film and went out looking for subtle infrared effects in plants and leaves. The photographs I took were in shade rather than direct sunlight. I used a 3-stop red filter on the camera lens and therefore a tripod was needed. I have found that photographs made with this film without a red filter look very similar to normal black and white film images, so a red filter is essential if you are looking for effects.

This film should be handled and loaded into the camera in subdued light, although total darkness is not required. If you are developing the film at home, total darkness is required when loading the film onto the reel and into the developing tank, just as with regular black and white film.

This photograph of a False Spirea plant (above) was my favourite. I was delighted with the gentle glow of the leaves in the image.

Some previous testing with another roll of SFX film showed that, with my equipment, I needed to add an extra stop of exposure in addition to that determined by the through-the-lens metering (with the filter on the lens). However, I would advise bracketing in any case, because results can be a little unpredictable.

The film was developed in Ilfotec DD-X for the manufacturer's recommended time. I printed the image on Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe (pearl) at Grade 3. I applied some dodging to the centre leaves and a little burning to the leaves at the bottom of the image.

The image uploaded here is a photograph of my print.

Using a Yashica Minister and an r72 it was great fun to see what I could achieve, involving a lot of messing about with Photoshop. The first thing I noticed was that my iso was too low, and the negatives were very grey. Next time I shall up it to 12, maybe 25 just to see what happens. There is no setting for infra red focusing, so a little twist down from infinity seemed appropriate. Sadly, carrying a tripod is not part of my usual routine, as I have cameras with stabilisation, hence all my shots are hand held, around 1/8 of a second. I could have done with one here!

A lot of people seem a bit confused by this film but the advice I would give is to use a red filter if you want to add some contrast and mild sky darkening effects and an infrared (R72) filter if you want some really cool results where blue skies turn black and vegetation glows ghostly white.

There are lots of guides online but I suggest doing some planning before you shoot, Ilford photo has a good one here https://www.ilfordphoto.com/shooting-infared-extended-red-film-guide/

The attached photos were taken with a red (beach) and infrared (church) filter.

Used this with an R72 filter and really loved the results. Beautifully ethereal images and just the right amount of grain at 200 ISO.
Will definitely be back for a LOT more!!

I was very excited to use this film stock. I am greatly inspired by the work of Nick Brandt who uses/ed Infra Red film for a lot throughout his work. However, as much as I enjoy the look of this film, I didn't get the desired look I wanted out of the role of I shot. I used a red filter throughout and that still wasn't enough. To get the high contrast look it needs to be a very harshly lit day with a very rich blue sky which realistically limits you to a few weeks/months a year here in the UK. Great film and great look, but it takes effort and timing to achieve. Wth that in mind however, I'd still use it again.

Brilliant film with a Hugh cool trast and beautiful grain

yes put a yellow or red filter on and have big fun, or use it neat, for a very fine detailed black and white film, this either way is worth the money film. maybe not an everyday day film but as a nice treat. go on now treat yourself.

So this is not a film for beginners to try out as it feels like the type of film that needs to be trichromed (as shown in the picture below) to get the same kind of photo as you'd get on Aerochrome without splashing out hundred of pounds for 1 roll of film. It's a lot more fiddly yes, but you at least still have money for another 10 rolls of other films to shoot.