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Ilford SFX 200 is ISO 200 black-and-white film with extended red sensitivity, not a true infrared film. Ilford specifies response up to 740 nm and describes the resulting images as “infra-red style”: a deep red filter can make skies very dark and green vegetation very light. Unlike traditional infrared materials, SFX 200 can be loaded in subdued light and processed with normal black-and-white developers.
What “superpanchromatic” means for SFX 200
Panchromatic film responds across the visible spectrum, allowing it to record a broad range of colors as tones in a black-and-white image. SFX 200 extends that response farther into the red than a conventional panchromatic film. “Superpanchromatic” is a photographic description of this extended-red response; it does not mean that the emulsion is equivalent to a true infrared film.
Ilford’s November 2018 technical information specifies sensitivity “up to 740nm.” That is the manufacturer’s stated specification, not an independently measured cutoff. The sheet’s spectral-sensitivity graph shows SFX 200 responding farther into red than its conventional-film comparison, but it does not justify inferring a more precise cutoff or complete response curve. Ilford SFX 200 Technical Information
How SFX 200 differs from true infrared film
| Characteristic | Ilford SFX 200 | Traditional infrared film |
|---|---|---|
| How Ilford describes it | Panchromatic black-and-white film with extended red sensitivity and potential for infrared-style images | Ilford distinguishes traditional infrared materials from SFX 200; no specific film or specification is compared in the cited product information |
| Stated sensitivity | Up to 740 nm, according to Ilford’s November 2018 technical information | Not stated for a specific film in the cited sources |
| Loading | Load in subdued light; total darkness is not required | Ilford says traditional infrared materials require total-darkness loading |
| Processing | Compatible with normal black-and-white developers | Not stated for a specific film in the cited sources |
The practical distinction is straightforward: SFX 200 offers an extended-red effect while retaining more ordinary film handling. Ilford’s product description and explanatory article distinguish it from true infrared film. Ilford SFX 200 product information Scott Allen, “Using ILFORD SFX 200 Part 1”
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What a red filter does to the image
A filter changes which wavelengths reach the film, so the result is a tonal rendering in black and white—not a color infrared photograph. Ilford says SFX 200 can be used with yellow, orange, or red filters. With a very deep red filter, skies can appear almost black and most green vegetation almost white. The deeper the red filter, the more dramatic the effect is likely to be; actual rendering also depends on the filter’s transmission and the scene.
Photographers have also used a 720 nm infrared filter with SFX 200, but that creative choice does not turn the film into a true infrared emulsion. The contributor account describes adjusting exposure for the filter. Jason Avery, “Extended red, shooting SFX200”
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- 2 rolls of film
- ISO 400
- 35 mm
- 36 poses
- Black and white film
Filter factors and exposure
Ilford’s November 2018 technical sheet lists these guide filter factors. They are manufacturer examples, not guaranteed values for every filter sold under a similar color name; use the factor for the specific filter when available.
| Filter example | Ilford guide factor |
|---|---|
| Very light yellow (Wratten 3) | 2 |
| Yellow (8) | 2 |
| Deep yellow (12) | 2.3 |
| Very deep yellow (15) | 2.4 |
| Orange (21) | 2.4 |
| Reddish orange (23A) | 2.5 |
| Red (25) | 2.8 |
| Deep red (29) | 3 |
| Very deep red (89B) | 16 |
The listed factor for the very deep red 89B is much higher than for the lighter filters, so it can require substantially more exposure compensation. Ilford recommends learning the film by bracketing approximately plus or minus two stops from the through-the-lens (TTL) reading made with the filter in place, or from a meter reading adjusted by the filter factor. The sheet warns that some camera TTL meters may underexpose with deep red or orange filters. Its bright-sun, deep-red example—about 1/30 second at f/5.6—is illustrative only, not a general exposure setting. With a very dark filter, shutter times may be long enough to make a tripod useful. Ilford SFX 200 Technical Information
Rank #3
- ISO200, 36EXP
- 35MM Color Negative Film
- C-41 Processing
- DX Coded
Loading, formats, and processing
Ilford rates SFX 200 at ISO 200/24° to daylight. The technical sheet says that speed rating was measured using ID-11 at 20°C/68°F with intermittent agitation in a spiral tank. Ilford lists 35mm and 120 formats; check current stock and packaging with a seller because availability can change.
Load the film in subdued light, not total darkness. Ilford says it works with normal black-and-white developers and provides example processing times, including 10 minutes in ID-11 stock at 20°C/68°F. That is a manufacturer-listed example, not a universal development time: follow current instructions for the developer and process you choose. Ilford SFX 200 product information Ilford SFX 200 Technical Information
Quick Recap
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- Ilford 1780624 Delta 100 Professional Black-and-White Film, ISO 100, 35mm 36-Exposure (2 Pack)
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- 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.
When to choose SFX 200
- Choose SFX 200 for an analog extended-red black-and-white effect, ordinary subdued-light loading, and normal black-and-white processing.
- Choose a true infrared film or another infrared capture method if you specifically need that medium’s response or handling characteristics.
- Choose a filter by its transmission and exposure demand—not its color name alone. Deeper red can strengthen the effect but may require considerably more exposure compensation.
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