Ilford SFX 200 is an ISO 200 black-and-white negative film with a super-panchromatic emulsion and extended red sensitivity reaching approximately 740nm. This 35mm roll provides 36 exposures. Its near-infrared response gives you a choice between conventional black-and-white photography and surreal, high-contrast daylight images created with filters.
Without filtration in normal daylight, SFX 200 behaves much like a traditional medium-speed black-and-white film, with a distinctly gritty texture. Its grain is prominent for ISO 200 and is described as resembling that of ISO 400 or 800 film, even when exposed at its rated speed. Its unfiltered appearance also draws comparisons to a slightly grainier Ilford HP5 Plus.
- Deep red filters, such as Red 25A or Red 29, can turn blue skies nearly black and green foliage almost white. They produce a dramatic infrared-style effect while keeping through-the-lens viewing, focusing, and metering relatively manageable.
- An infrared filter such as the Hoya R72 blocks virtually all visible light and emphasizes the film's response beyond 720nm. This can produce the Wood Effect, giving trees and grass a snow-covered appearance. In portraits, light skin tones can become very pale while the subject's eyes appear deeply dark.
- Yellow, orange, and light red filters offer additional ways to create special effects, giving you creative options beyond deep red and infrared filtration.
The gray acetate base includes an anti-halation layer to help control halation. This distinguishes SFX 200 from older clear-base infrared films such as Kodak HIE, which produced characteristic glowing halos around bright areas. Its reasonably forgiving exposure latitude is also useful when dense filters make metering more difficult.
Processing uses standard black-and-white chemistry, so most labs that develop black-and-white film can handle SFX 200. Home-processing options include ID-11, Ilfotec HC, DD-X, Ilfosol 3, and Kodak D-76 at their standard dilutions and development times. Unlike traditional infrared materials, the film does not require loading or handling in total darkness; subdued light is suitable for loading.
- Suggested subjects include cityscapes, urban scenes, landscapes, and portraits. For an experimental, lo-fi landscape look, a red filter taped over a toy camera's plastic lens offers another way to explore the film's high-contrast filtered effects.
