I would like to try Ilford SFX 200 (35mm). I know it can be processed with all standard B&W developers but I can not find the dev times for Xtol developer. Since I use Xtol for my other films (and I am happy with it) I don't want to buy and experiment with an other developer. If anyone is familiar with SFX200/Xtol, please let me know of the dev times and dev temperatures.

Any other tip of how to use/shoot this film (eg filter sugestion) is also greatly apreciated.

Thanks Makis Gaitanidis

-- makis (makis_gaitanidis@hotmail.com), October 29, 1999

Answers

Um, I think with stock Xtol I've been using 6-1/2min @ 68F.

Use a B+W 091 (Wrattan 29) filter for getting the evergreens (pine et al) to become grey. B+W 092 will give the best effect. Ilford also makes its own filter, but you must have a gel holder for it. B+W 090 (Wrattan 25) gives good results, but evergreens remain black.

-- Brian C. Miller (brianm@ioconcepts.com), October 29, 1999.

I've been trying to answer the same question on how to process SFX in XTOL. Ilford has just published a Product Data Guide (1999) with processing recommendations:

EI200 @20C: 10 mins stock, 14.4 mins 1+1, 18.5 mins 1+2 EI400 @20C: 12.5 mins stock, 17.5 mins 1+1, 21.5 mins 1+2

-- Eric Smith (erics@seacoast.com), November 22, 1999.

using a red filter gives the film a rather eery look very similar to infra red film the use of yellow or orange filters also give less dramatic results. Use a yellow or red for portraits the resuts are very good especially with skin tones.

-- michael zanetti (zanetti@one.net,au), December 15, 1999.