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ILFORD SFX 200 is a black-and-white film with extended red sensitivity, not true infrared film. Pair it with a deep red filter and it can render blue skies very dark and green foliage much lighter, creating an infrared-style effect. The filter is optional: choose one for the rendering you want, then account for its exposure factor.
What makes SFX 200 different?
ILFORD rates SFX 200 at ISO 200/24° in daylight and sells it in 35mm and 120 formats. Its sensitivity peaks at 720 nm and extends to 740 nm, according to the manufacturer’s November 2018 technical sheet. That reaches farther into red than conventional black-and-white film, but it does not extend into the infrared end of the spectrum. Calling the result “infrared-style” is more accurate than calling SFX 200 infrared film.
The look comes from the way the film records different wavelengths, combined with the light a filter allows through. A red filter suppresses much of the blue light from the sky while allowing more red light through; green vegetation can therefore appear lighter relative to the sky. The result varies with the filter’s transmission and the scene. ILFORD notes that the redder the filter, the more dramatic the effect. ILFORD’s explanation of SFX 200’s spectral response also makes clear that it has no sensitivity into infrared.
Do you need a red filter?
No. ILFORD says SFX 200 can be used with yellow, orange, or red filters, and the effect depends on the filter’s transmission. Without a filter, the film still records a black-and-white image; a red filter is a creative choice for stronger separation between blue sky and green foliage. Choose a filter that fits your lens or filter system, and remember that deeper red filters require substantially more exposure.
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How the red-filter options compare
| Filter | ILFORD’s SFX 200 factor | Exposure increase | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Wratten 25 red | 2.8 | 1½ stops | Red filtration; less exposure cost than the deeper options listed. |
| Kodak Wratten 29 deep red | 3 | 1⅔ stops | Deeper red filtration for a stronger effect. |
| Kodak Wratten 89B very deep red | 16 | 4 stops | Very deep red filtration; a much larger exposure increase and greater chance of long exposures. |
These factors come from ILFORD/HARMAN’s November 2018 technical information and apply to SFX 200. Other filters may have different transmission and exposure factors; use the factor supplied for the filter in hand rather than assuming that all red filters behave alike. Check that the filter is physically compatible with the lens.
How to meter and expose SFX 200 through a red filter
- Install the filter before metering. A through-the-lens (TTL) meter can account for some of the light loss, but ILFORD warns that some common TTL systems may underexpose by up to 1½ stops with deep red or orange filters.
- If metering without the filter, apply its factor. For example, ILFORD lists a factor of 16, or four additional stops, for a Wratten 89B very deep red filter. Apply the factor for your specific filter, not one from a different model.
- Bracket when you are new to the combination. ILFORD advises bracketing ±2 stops from the TTL reading made with the filter in place, or from a reading corrected by the filter factor.
- Use support if the shutter speed becomes long. ILFORD recommends a tripod with very dark filters because exposure times can become very long.
ILFORD’s technical sheet gives around 1/30 second at f/5.6 in bright sunlight with a deep red filter as an illustrative example. That is not a general exposure setting: actual exposure depends on the light, filter, and metering method.
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- 2 rolls of film
- ISO 400
- 35 mm
- 36 poses
- Black and white film
Loading, focusing, and developing the film
Load in subdued light
Load SFX 200 in subdued light, not total darkness; ILFORD explicitly warns that it must be loaded in subdued light. Follow the film’s handling instructions when loading or unloading.
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Check focus with red filtration
Some lenses focus red light at a slightly different point from white light. ILFORD says stopping down to the smallest working aperture can accommodate this with short-to-moderate focal lengths. Some apochromatic lenses may need no correction. The relevant behavior depends on the lens and setup, so do not assume every lens needs a focus adjustment.
Rank #3
- ISO200, 36EXP
- 35MM Color Negative Film
- C-41 Processing
- DX Coded
Follow the developer-specific instructions
ILFORD describes SFX 200 as compatible with normal black-and-white developers and publishes times for individual developers. Its stated ISO speed was measured using ILFORD ID-11 at 20°C/68°F with intermittent agitation. Use the instructions for your chosen developer, dilution, temperature, and process method rather than transferring a time from another process. See the ILFORD SFX 200 product information for current product details and processing guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ilford 1780624 Delta 100 Professional Black-and-White Film, ISO 100, 35mm 36-Exposure (2 Pack)
Rank #4
- Superior Performance: for kodak gold 200 film has excellent latent image retention characteristics, excellent consistency and excellent processing robustness.
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- 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.
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