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Choose Ilford SFX 200 for an approachable extended-red film that can create an infrared-style look with a deep red filter. Choose Rollei INFRARED if you want a manufacturer-described infrared-sensitive black-and-white film and more variable foliage effects. Kodak HIE is the historical choice for a stronger, grainier infrared rendering, but treat it as legacy stock and verify its age and storage before buying. These films are not interchangeable: filtration, exposure, and development all shape the result.
How the three films differ
| Film | What its sensitivity claims establish | Typical look described in the sources | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford SFX 200 | Ilford describes an ISO 200 black-and-white film with extended red sensitivity, around 650–750 nm. It is not traditional infrared film. | With a deep red filter, skies can become very dark and green vegetation very light. An older comparative sheet describes it as finer-grained, with less foliage lightening than HIE. | Photographers seeking a subtler infrared-style effect and a stock Ilford says can be loaded in subdued light and developed with normal black-and-white developers. |
| Kodak HIE | An older comparison describes it as the strongest infrared-sensitive film among the three; it does not provide a current Kodak HIE specification. | The comparison characterizes HIE as grainier and dreamlike, with stronger foliage effects than SFX 200. | Photographers specifically seeking the historical HIE rendering and prepared to assess an old roll’s condition and handling requirements. |
| Rollei INFRARED | Rollei states a 650–750 nm range and nominal sensitivity from ISO 200/24° to 400/27°. | The older comparison describes fine grain relative to HIE and a split foliage effect, where some foliage appears bright and some darker. | Photographers who want a currently manufacturer-described infrared-sensitive stock and more variation in foliage rendering than SFX typically offers. |
The HIE and rendering descriptions come from a comparative data sheet dated/copyrighted 1996–2007, not a recent controlled test. Its author cautions that filtration, exposure, and development can produce greater or lesser contrast, so treat these look descriptions as guidance rather than a guaranteed ranking. Read the comparative data sheet.
Is Ilford SFX 200 true infrared film?
No. Ilford describes SFX 200 as extended-red film, not a traditional infrared material. Scott Allen’s 29 September 2022 explanation for ILFORD Photo makes that distinction directly: “That is why SFX 200 is not infrared film.” Ilford places its useful extended response around 650–750 nm; the film’s infrared-style appearance comes from combining it with filtration, rather than from treating it as equivalent to a traditional infrared stock. Read Ilford’s explanation of SFX 200.
What filter should you use, and how should you expose?
Ilford SFX 200
Ilford recommends a deep red filter for the infrared-style effect. Its product page says: “When used with a deep red filter, SFX 200 renders blue skies almost black and green vegetation almost white to create a stunning infra-red look to your shots.” That describes the intended rendering, not a guaranteed result in every scene. See Ilford’s SFX 200 product information.
#1 Best Overall
- Capture Spontaneous Moments in Rich, Warm Color: Kodak Gold 200 is famed for its vibrant, sunny hues and forgiving nature, ensuring your everyday snaps turn out beautifully, even if your lighting or settings aren’t perfect
- The Perfect Film for Beginners & Enthusiasts: With high exposure tolerance and reliable 200 ISO, this 35 mm film roll delivers stunning results in both daylight and indoor settings without hassle, making it the ideal choice to learn with or simply enjoy
- Shoot More, Spend Less: This practical 3-roll bundle means you’re always prepared. Keep your camera loaded and never miss a shot, whether you’re documenting a full vacation or just want a single Kodak film in your bag for months of spontaneous captures
- Bring Your Memories to Life: Experience the classic, warm color reproduction and fine grain that make Kodak Gold 200 35mm film a favorite. It excels at rendering lush greens, bright yellows, and skin tones, giving your photos a timeless, joyful feel
- Versatile for Every Camera and Occasion: From point-and-shoots to professional SLRs, this camera film ensures versatility across portraits, travel, and daily life, making it the one film you can always rely on for stunning clarity and dependable results
Rollei INFRARED
The older comparative sheet recommends an R72 filter for Rollei INFRARED and says a #25 filter can also be used. A #25 permits more visible red light than an infrared-cutoff filter; changing filtration changes both the effect and the exposure needed.
Kodak HIE
The same comparison says HIE can produce strong effects with less filtration than the other films compared. This is a qualitative description, not a universal exposure recipe.
Rank #2
- 2 rolls of film
- ISO 400
- 35 mm
- 36 poses
- Black and white film
Do not apply one filter-compensation figure to every camera and scene. Filter transmission and metering behavior, lighting, stock, and development all affect exposure and appearance. Bracket exposures when establishing a method for a particular film-and-filter combination. Match the filter thread diameter to your lens or use a suitable adapter; no specific filter size or brand is established here.
How do handling and development compare?
SFX 200
Ilford says SFX 200 may be loaded in subdued light and works with normal black-and-white developers. Use the current technical sheet for the precise developer, dilution, and exposure index you choose rather than carrying over a recipe from another stock. Check Ilford’s SFX 200 information.
Rank #3
- ISO200, 36EXP
- 35MM Color Negative Film
- C-41 Processing
- DX Coded
Kodak HIE
Kodak’s October 2006 Publication K-4 gives general darkroom illumination guidance that high-speed infrared films require handling in total darkness. This is general Kodak guidance, not a current HIE-specific technical sheet. Kodak states: “Many photographic materials require handling in TOTAL darkness.”
Rollei INFRARED
Rollei publishes sensitivity and development information for INFRARED. Follow the current package and manufacturer data for your chosen developer; development times should not be copied between these films. See Rollei’s INFRARED information.
Rank #4
- Superior Performance: for kodak gold 200 film has excellent latent image retention characteristics, excellent consistency and excellent processing robustness.
- Excellent Effects: for kodak gold 200 film has high clarity and high resolution, excellent general purpose photography and excellent magnification.
- Professional Design: for kodak gold 200 color negative film is designed for daylight and electronic flash exposures.
- Low Speed Color Negative: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is a low speed color negative.
- Compact Size: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is small and compact, easy to store and carry, easy to use.
Formats and availability: what can you buy?
Ilford lists SFX 200 in 35mm and 120 formats, and Rollei maintains a product page for INFRARED. Those pages describe the products; they do not confirm a particular retailer’s live inventory or shipping to your country. Ilford SFX 200 · Rollei INFRARED.
The sources here do not establish Kodak HIE’s exact discontinuation date or current used-market availability. If considering a roll, check its expiry date, cold-storage history, packaging condition, and seller provenance. Do not assume an old roll is fresh or will behave like a current film.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ilford 1780624 Delta 100 Professional Black-and-White Film, ISO 100, 35mm 36-Exposure (2 Pack)
Which film should you choose?
- Pick SFX 200 if you want to experiment with dark skies and pale foliage using a deep red filter, while keeping to a stock Ilford describes as extended-red rather than traditional infrared.
- Pick Rollei INFRARED if you want a film whose manufacturer states a 650–750 nm response and provides development guidance, and you are willing to test filtration and exposure for your preferred foliage effect.
- Consider HIE only for its historical look if you can find a roll with credible age and storage information and can accommodate careful handling. The available comparison characterizes it as grainier and more strongly infrared-rendering than SFX, but it is old qualitative guidance, not a current side-by-side test.
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