Re: Has anyone used Ilford SFX 200 film?

[George L Smyth <GLSmyth@xxxxxxx>]

David Lee wrote:
> 
> George,
> 
> I have noticed that it is difficult to trust my light meter with IR film. I
> am using large and medium aperture settings as I read that setting to the
> lowest expectable fstop is a bad idea with IR. If I use the shutter speed
> the AE camera suggests I get an underexposed shot. Setting the shutter
> speed slower or opening up two stops seems to compensate. Is this because
> the level of white light hitting the light meter doesn't directly relate to
> the level of IR light present?
> 
> Is Kodak IR film processed in the same chemicals as B&W film?

Your light meter reads infrared radiation, but is not calibrated for it.  This
is why it is difficult to make a blanket recommendation.  You have already found
the answer, which is that you need to compensate for your meter's reading.  I
suggest metering with a #25 filter, if this is what you will be using to shoot. 
It works well for me.

Kodak IR develops nicely in Xtol.  I used to use D76, but have found Xtol to not
only work at least as well, but is much more convenient.  If you move up to HSI
(4X5 sheet filem), you may wish to consider Rodinal.  Although this developer
will create a virtual grain storm with HIE (the 35mm variety), the larger size
of HSI makes this point moot.

The more you shoot and experiment, the more comfortable you'll get with it.

Cheers -

george

-- 

Handmade Photographic Images
http://www2.ari.net/glsmyth/
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