Rollei Retro 400S

[elia_freddi]

Hi All,

 

I have seen that Maco has in the list a Rollei film called Retro 400S. The datasheet of this film shows the same

spectral response of the Rollei IR 400. Is this a typo or the response is really the same? I can conclude that

both films seem to be the Agfa Aviphot 400S, but the price is much different... Anybody tried this Rollei Retro

400S for IR photos?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Elia Freddi

[alexander_ghaffari]

I think that Rollei IR 400 is an aerial film (definitely Aviphot), but the Retro 400S only comes in 35mm and is a traffic film. They might be the same film coated differently.

 

Anyway, I just bought 12 rolls of 120 Superpan 200 to try out along with a Heliopan RG715. From what I have seen, this Aviphot 200 film may have better IR response than Rollei IR 400.

[elia_freddi]

<p>Thank you for your answer, Alexander.<br>

My observation was coming from the comparison of the spectral response between those two films.<br>

Please, let us know how this superpan 200 works.<br>

Best regards</p>

<p>Elia Freddi</p>

[alexander_ghaffari]

<p>Now that the grass and trees have come "alive" since this past winter, I have since developed several rolls of 120 format Superpan 200 in Moersch Finol 1+1+100. There is a developing sheet included with the two bottles of Finol developer, with instructions that I followed for obtaining the correct developing time. I used an RG 715 Heliopan infrared filter.<br /> I am definitely wowed by the results. I think that Superpan 200 is my new main infrared film. I had been using mostly Efke 820 IR before the Superpan. In comparison to Efke 820 IR developed in HC-110, Superpan developed in Finol is astronomically flatter (N.B. as we know, the film is to blame for flatness, not the developer). The results are lower in contrast in the Superpan, but the tonality is great, so it does not bother me (I love contrast). The Wood effect is excellent and definitely comperable to the Efke 820, but with much less grain and a more distinct edge effect, from what I have seen.</p>

<p>The best thing about Superpan 200 is that I shot it at EI 125 (then opened up 5 stops for the filter), while I had to shoot Efke 820 IR at EI 6 or sometimes even EI 3 (then open up 5 more stops for the filter!). This is chalanging to do on an RB67 rig and maintain the DOF that I desire.<br /> I have yet to print each negative (still completing my darkroom), so that will be an interesting comparison in the future, as well.</p>

<p>EDIT: I forgot to mention that I had stoped using Rollei IR 400 in favor of Efke 820 IR, due to Efke's more noticable "infrared effects" (Wood effect); however, Superpan 200 seems to have better "infrared effects" than Rollei IR 400.</p>

[elia_freddi]

<p>I have some roll of Rollei Retro 400s and I will run some trial to understand it.</p>

<p>In the meanwhile I had the opportunity to try the <strong>Rollei Retro 80S</strong> , which has a clear extended red sensitivity. The filter is a Heliopan RG715.<br /> As a result I found that it's sensible to infrared, but the "Wood" effect is not that visible. Here below an example. What is remarkable is the very fine grain, finer than a TMax100 even if the sensibility is similar.</p>

<p><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WQzXPtdSGC0/SttmyfonKxI/AAAAAAAAAG4/N71LdTYohBY/s800/ponte.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[elia_freddi]

<p>Finally I have been able to make some shot with the Rollei Retro 400S and the Heliopan RG715. The exposure I used was the same given by my M6 with the filter mounted, the camera was hand held. Actually the photo is a poor film scan, but at least it gives evidence of a certain IR sensibility.<br>

Now I have to wait the spring for further trials.</p>

<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WQzXPtdSGC0/SwkXvDW437I/AAAAAAAAAIE/V8gAyrYPP0k/trees_RolleiRetro400S.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /></p>

[larrydressler]

<p>I recently shot some of this Superpan 200 and used Rodinal 1-100 full stand I was amazed how sharp and low grain this film was. shot at E.I. 200.<br>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jokerphotography/sets/72157624154578237/</p>

<p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4719417037_face19d4bd_b.jpg" alt="" /></p>