Ilford SFX 200 Field Guide
Extended Red Sensitivity Film for Infrared-Effect Photography
Last Updated: 2026-06-01
Quick Reference Card
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Film Type | Extended red sensitivity panchromatic B&W negative |
| Base ISO | 200 (no filter) |
| Effective ISO with R72 | 3-6 (6-7 stop compensation) |
| Effective ISO with 25A Red | 25 (3 stop compensation) |
| Spectral Sensitivity | 400-740nm (peak red sensitivity 720nm)1 |
| Grain | Medium |
| Formats | 35mm, 120 |
| Reciprocity Failure Factor | P = 1.43 (kicks in after 1 second)2 |
| Exposure Latitude | ±2 stops (without filter), ±1 stop (with IR filter) |
What Makes SFX 200 Special?
Not True Infrared Film
CRITICAL DISTINCTION: Ilford SFX 200 is not infrared film. It has extended red sensitivity up to 740nm, with peak red sensitivity at 720nm.3 True infrared films (like discontinued Kodak HIE) extended beyond 900nm.
What this means in practice: - With no filter: Acts as normal panchromatic B&W film (ISO 200) - With deep red filter (25A, 29): Enhanced red sensitivity creates infrared-like effects - With R72 (720nm) filter: Maximum infrared effect - foliage glows white, skies go black - With R72 + longer exposure: Captures light between 650-750nm invisible to human eye
Visual Character
Without Filter: - Normal B&W tonality - Slightly higher contrast than HP5 Plus - Medium grain structure - Full panchromatic sensitivity
With Deep Red Filter (25A): - Darkened blue skies - Enhanced cloud contrast - Lighter foliage (but not glowing white) - Strong contrast in landscape photography
With R72 Infrared Filter: - Glowing white foliage (Wood Effect) - Near-black skies - Ethereal, dreamlike landscapes - Strong halation around light sources (sun, bright objects) - Penetrates atmospheric haze
Filter Recommendations
For Infrared Effect
R72 (720nm) Filter - Recommended: - B+W 092 (very dark red, extends slightly into IR)4 - Hoya R72 (720nm cutoff) - Exposure compensation: +6 to +7 stops - Metering: Set ISO to 3-6 on handheld meter
Important: SFX 200's sensitivity doesn't extend far enough into IR spectrum to benefit from 820nm or higher filters. R72 is the practical maximum.
For Enhanced Contrast (Less Extreme)
25A Red Filter: - Traditional red filter - Exposure compensation: +3 stops - Metering: Set ISO to 25 - Produces strong sky contrast without full IR effect
29 Deep Red Filter: - Slightly darker than 25A - Exposure compensation: +3 to +4 stops - Intermediate effect between 25A and R72
Without Filter
Use as normal ISO 200 panchromatic film: - General purpose B&W photography - Portraits, street photography - Situations where full panchromatic sensitivity is desired
Exposure and Metering
With R72 Filter
Method 1: In-Camera Meter (if TTL works through filter) - Set camera ISO to 6 (some sources say 3-6, test your camera) - Meter through the R72 filter - Shoot at indicated exposure
Method 2: Handheld Meter (Recommended) - Meter scene without filter at ISO 200 - Add +6 to +7 stops compensation manually - Example: Metered 1/125s f/11 → Actual 1/2s f/11 (6 stops slower)
Method 3: Sunny 16 Equivalent - R72 filter: Start with f/16 @ 1/6s in bright sun - Bracket ±1 stop
With 25A Red Filter
- Set handheld meter to ISO 25
- Meter without filter, then add +3 stops
- Or meter through filter if TTL works
Reciprocity Failure with R72 Filter
CRITICAL FOR LONG EXPOSURES: SFX 200 has significant reciprocity failure for exposures longer than 1 second.5
Formula: Tc = Tm^1.43
Where: - Tm = Metered exposure time - Tc = Corrected exposure time - P = 1.43 (Ilford's published reciprocity factor)
Practical Examples:
| Metered Time | Corrected Time (apply reciprocity) |
|---|---|
| 1 second | 1.4 seconds |
| 10 seconds | 25 seconds |
| 30 seconds | 95 seconds (~1.5 minutes) |
| 60 seconds | 348 seconds (~6 minutes) |
| 120 seconds | 1004 seconds (~17 minutes) |
Real-World Note: When using R72 filter, exposures commonly range from 5-30 seconds metered, requiring 15 seconds to 2 minutes actual exposure after reciprocity correction.
Testing Confirmation: Photographer tests with 720nm IR filter confirmed Ilford's 1.43 power factor is accurate.6
Bracketing Strategy with R72 Filter
Given reciprocity uncertainty and variable IR reflectance in scenes:
- Meter and calculate corrected exposure (Tm^1.43)
- Shoot corrected exposure
- Bracket: -1 stop and +1 stop from corrected exposure
- Total: 3 frames per composition
Example: - Metered: 30 seconds → Corrected: 95 seconds - Shoot: 48s, 95s, 190s (bracket around calculated exposure)
Development Recommendations
Standard Development (No Filter or Red Filter)
Ilford Ilfosol 3: - 1+9 dilution: 6 minutes @ 20°C7 - 1+14 dilution: 9 minutes @ 20°C
Ilford Ilfotec DD-X: - 1+4 dilution: 10 minutes @ 20°C
ID-11/D-76 (Stock): - 8.5 minutes @ 20°C - Normal contrast
Rodinal 1+50: - 10.5 minutes @ 20°C - Sharpness emphasis, increased grain
Development with R72 Filter
IMPORTANT: Development times do not change based on filtration. The filter only affects exposure, not development.
Use standard development times as above. The infrared effect comes from: 1. The filter blocking visible light during exposure 2. The film's extended red sensitivity capturing near-IR wavelengths
However, some practitioners adjust development for contrast control:
For Lower Contrast (Infrared Effect Can Be Very Contrasty): - Reduce development time by 10-15% - Use Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 for 8.5 minutes instead of 10 minutes - Or use D-76/ID-11 1+1 dilution for softer tonality
For Maximum IR Effect (Higher Contrast): - Use Rodinal 1+25 or 1+50 for maximum sharpness - Standard development time or +10%
Push/Pull Processing
Push to ISO 400 (with no filter): - ID-11/D-76 stock: +1.5 minutes (10 minutes total) - Ilfotec DD-X 1+4: +2 minutes (12 minutes total) - Increased grain, higher contrast
Pull to ISO 100 (with no filter): - ID-11/D-76 stock: -1.5 minutes (7 minutes total) - Lower contrast, finer grain
Note: Push/pull adjustments apply to unfiltered shooting. With R72 filter, expose at EI 3-6 and develop normally.
Shooting Workflow with R72 Filter
Step-by-Step Field Procedure
1. Focus First (CRITICAL): - Focus without the R72 filter on camera - Infrared light focuses at slightly different plane than visible light - Some lenses have IR focus mark (red line) - shift focus slightly toward infinity after focusing visually - For landscape work: Stop down to f/11 or f/16 to ensure depth of field covers IR focus shift
2. Compose: - Attach R72 filter to lens - Viewfinder will be nearly black - compose before attaching filter or use Live View (if mirrorless)
3. Meter: - Handheld meter (incident or reflected) at ISO 200, no filter - Calculate exposure compensation: +6 to +7 stops - Example: f/11 @ 1/125s → f/11 @ 1/2s (6 stops)
4. Apply Reciprocity Correction: - If metered exposure > 1 second, use formula: Tc = Tm^1.43 - Example: 10s metered → 25s actual exposure
5. Bracket: - Shoot calculated exposure - Shoot -1 stop and +1 stop bracket
6. Use Tripod: - With R72 filter, exposures range from 1 second to several minutes - Sturdy tripod mandatory - Cable release or self-timer to avoid camera shake
Best Subjects for SFX 200 + R72
Landscapes with Foliage: - Trees and grass glow bright white - Blue sky goes near-black - Dramatic cloud contrast - Ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere
Architectural Details: - Brick and stone textures enhanced - Strong shadow/highlight separation - Haze penetration for distant structures
Portraits (Experimental): - Skin tones lighten (can be unflattering) - Veins and blemishes may be emphasized - Use with caution - test first
Water and Reflections: - Water surface can appear darker or reflective depending on angle - Cloud reflections in water are dramatic
Conditions That Work Best
Bright Sunlight: - Maximum IR reflection from foliage - Strongest Wood Effect - Darkest skies
Partly Cloudy Days: - Dramatic cloud formations against black sky - Good subject contrast
Avoid: - Overcast/flat light - reduces IR effect - Shade/open shade - minimal IR reflection from foliage
Technical Characteristics
Grain Structure
Medium grain - finer than HP5 Plus, coarser than FP4 Plus.
With R72 filter and long exposures, grain may appear slightly more pronounced due to: - Reciprocity failure effects - Longer exposure times - Development characteristics
Sharpness and Acutance
Good acutance when developed in Rodinal or Ilfotec DD-X.
IR focus shift consideration: Sharpness can be affected by infrared focus plane difference. Stop down to f/11-f/16 for critical sharpness.
Contrast
Without filter: Medium-high contrast (slightly higher than HP5 Plus)
With R72 filter: Very high contrast - Foliage (bright white) vs sky (near-black) creates extreme tonal separation - May require reduced development time to control highlights
Halation and Glow
SFX 200 has moderate halation around bright light sources (sun, reflections) when shot with R72 filter. This contributes to the ethereal, glowing quality of infrared-effect photography.
To minimize halation: Avoid shooting directly into sun, or use lens hood
To maximize halation: Shoot backlit subjects, include sun in frame
Practical Tips and Techniques
Focusing for Infrared
Problem: Infrared light focuses at slightly different plane than visible light.
Solutions:
- Stop down to f/11 or f/16 - Depth of field covers IR focus shift
- Use lens IR focus mark (if available) - Red dot or line on focus ring
- Focus visually, then shift focus slightly toward infinity to IR mark
- Hyperfocal distance - Set focus to hyperfocal for f/11 or f/16
- Test your lenses - Some modern lenses have minimal IR focus shift
Handling Long Exposures
With R72 filter, exposures commonly range from 5 seconds to 5+ minutes.
Workflow: - Use sturdy tripod - Cable release or 10-second self-timer - Mirror lock-up (if SLR) - Shield lens from wind vibration - Wait for wind to calm when shooting foliage (long exposures blur moving leaves)
Scanning and Printing
Scanning: - Scan as black & white negative (not color negative) - SFX 200 negatives may appear unusually dense with R72 filter - this is normal - Adjust scanner settings for contrast control
Darkroom Printing: - SFX 200 prints well on standard variable contrast paper - With R72 filter shots, negatives may be contrasty - use grade 1-2 paper or reduce print contrast - Dodging skies and burning foliage may be necessary
Film Handling and Storage
No special handling required - Load and unload film as normal B&W film.
Unlike true infrared films (Kodak HIE), SFX 200 does not require loading in complete darkness or IR-safe film cassettes.
Storage: - Store unexposed film in cool, dry conditions - Normal film refrigeration extends shelf life - Process exposed film promptly (standard practice for all films)
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue: Negatives Too Thin (Underexposed)
Cause: Insufficient exposure compensation with R72 filter
Solution: - Verify +6 to +7 stop compensation applied - Check reciprocity failure calculation for long exposures - Bracket exposures
Issue: Negatives Too Dense (Overexposed)
Cause: Excessive exposure or over-development
Solution: - Reduce exposure by 1 stop - Reduce development time by 10-15%
Issue: Minimal Infrared Effect
Cause: - Wrong filter used (not R72) - Shooting in shade or overcast conditions (minimal IR reflection) - Underexposure
Solution: - Confirm R72 (720nm) filter in use - Shoot in bright sunlight for maximum IR effect - Increase exposure by 1 stop
Issue: Extreme Contrast (Blown Highlights, Blocked Shadows)
Cause: IR effect creates very high contrast scenes
Solution: - Reduce development time by 10-15% - Use softer working developer (D-76 1+1 instead of Rodinal) - Expose for highlights, accept shadow detail loss - Use graduated ND filter to balance sky and foreground
Issue: Soft Focus / Lack of Sharpness
Cause: IR focus shift not corrected
Solution: - Stop down to f/11 or f/16 - Use lens IR focus mark (if available) - Focus slightly past infinity after visual focus
Comparison with Other Infrared-Capable Films
SFX 200 vs Rollei Infrared 400
| Aspect | SFX 200 | Rollei IR 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Spectral Sensitivity | Up to 740nm | Up to 820nm (true near-IR) |
| ISO (no filter) | 200 | 400 |
| ISO (with R72) | 3-6 | 6-12 |
| Infrared Effect | Moderate (extended red) | Strong (true near-IR) |
| Halation | Moderate | Minimal (anti-halation layer) |
| Grain | Medium | Medium-coarse |
| Availability | Widely available | Limited availability |
| Cost | Moderate | Higher |
When to choose SFX 200: - More widely available - Lower cost - Easier to work with (less extreme IR effect) - Good for learning IR-effect photography
When to choose Rollei IR 400: - Maximum IR sensitivity (up to 820nm) - Stronger Wood Effect (glowing foliage) - Higher base speed (ISO 400 vs 200)
SFX 200 vs Standard Panchromatic Films with Red Filter
SFX 200 + R72 filter produces a stronger infrared-like effect than standard films (HP5, Tri-X) + red filter because:
- Extended red sensitivity (720-740nm) captures wavelengths standard films cannot
- R72 filter blocks all visible light, isolating extended red/near-IR response
- Creates the characteristic "Wood Effect" glowing foliage
Standard films with red filter produce: - Darkened skies - Enhanced cloud contrast - Lighter foliage (but not glowing white) - Traditional red-filtered B&W aesthetic (not infrared effect)
Recommended Uses and Aesthetic
Best Applications
Landscape Photography: - Dramatic skies with near-black tonality - Glowing white foliage (Wood Effect) - Strong cloud contrast - Atmospheric, ethereal quality
Experimental Fine Art: - Surreal, dreamlike imagery - Alternative vision of familiar scenes - High-contrast abstract compositions
Architectural Photography: - Haze penetration for distant structures - Strong texture emphasis (brick, stone) - Dramatic shadow/highlight separation
Atmospheric Character
SFX 200 + R72 filter produces: - Otherworldly, dreamlike quality - High contrast, graphic compositions - Ethereal glow around foliage and bright objects - Melancholic, atmospheric mood (when processed for lower contrast)
Visual Signature: - White trees against black skies - Penetrating haze and atmospheric effects - Glowing, luminous foliage - Strong separation between sky and earth
Fine Art and Limited Edition Prints
Market Appeal: - Infrared-effect photography has strong collector interest - Unique aesthetic not achievable in normal B&W - Limited edition prints of IR landscapes command premium pricing
Print Presentation: - Emphasize film-based IR process (vs digital IR conversion) - Describe extended red sensitivity and R72 filtration - Highlight handmade darkroom printing or fine art scanning - Limited series (10-25 prints) of signature IR landscapes
Development Time Reference Table
| Developer | Dilution | Time @ 20°C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilfosol 3 | 1+9 | 6 min | Recommended by Ilford |
| Ilfosol 3 | 1+14 | 9 min | Finer grain |
| Ilfotec DD-X | 1+4 | 10 min | Fine grain, good contrast control |
| ID-11/D-76 | Stock | 8.5 min | Normal contrast |
| ID-11/D-76 | 1+1 | 11 min | Lower contrast, finer grain |
| Rodinal | 1+50 | 10.5 min | Sharp, accentuated grain |
| Rodinal | 1+25 | 7.5 min | Higher contrast, maximum sharpness |
| Perceptol | Stock | 13 min | Finest grain (for non-IR shooting) |
For R72 filtered exposures: Development times remain the same. Adjust for contrast control: - Lower contrast: Reduce time by 10-15% or use DD-X/D-76 1+1 - Higher contrast: Use Rodinal or increase time by 10%
Filter Exposure Compensation Quick Reference
| Filter Type | Filter Examples | Exposure Compensation | Effective ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | - | 0 stops | 200 |
| Yellow | K2, 8 | +1 stop | 100 |
| Orange | 21, G | +2 stops | 50 |
| Red | 25A, 29 | +3 stops | 25 |
| Deep Red | 29 | +4 stops | 12 |
| R72 (720nm) | B+W 092, Hoya R72 | +6 to +7 stops | 3-6 |
Sources and Further Reading
Official Ilford Resources: - Ilford Photo - USING ILFORD SFX 200 PART 1 - Ilford Photo - SFX 200 Technical Data Sheet - Ilford Photo - Reciprocity Failure Compensation
Practical Guides and Reviews: - J. Bradford Photo - Ilford SFX 200 Review and Guide - Blue Moon Camera Codex - Film Friday Ilford SFX 200 Film Review - Will Gudgeon - Shooting and developing Ilford SFX 200
Technical Discussions: - Photrio - Ilford SFX 200 with IR or red filter discussion - Photrio - Ilford SFX 200 Reciprocity discussion - EMULSIVE - Long exposure film tests: ILFORD SFX 200
Reciprocity Calculators: - Lucas.dev - Reciprocity for Ilford SFX 200
End of Field Guide
This guide prioritizes verified technical information from Ilford official documentation, published testing by practitioners, and community consensus. Where information varies (e.g., exact R72 compensation - some sources say +6, others +7 stops), multiple perspectives are presented with recommendation to bracket exposures.