Date sent:        Wed, 03 Apr 1996 20:02:13 -0500 (EST)
From:             eml@gate.net
Subject:          Re: Kodak High Speed Infrared film
To:               photoforum@osfmail.isc.rit.edu
Send reply to:    photoforum@listserver.isc.rit.edu

Per Volledal wrote:
 
> Hello.
> 
> Last year I tried a couple of rolls og Kodak's black and white Infrared 35
> mm film. I exposed the films with a Nikon FM2, the Asa value set to 200,
> and with a deep red filter. The negatives were quite easy to print, had
> wonderful grain, but in my opinion were very dense. I developed in an old
> two-bath developer.
> 
> Now it seems it is almost time to try this film again. I wonder if anyone
> has got some experience with this film, different developers and exposure
> ratings.
> 
> I have read Joseph Paduano's books on infrared photography, but they don't
> give any more infornation than the film's data sheet do.
> 
> Any information or suggestions will be appreciated.

Reply 1:

Regarding Kodak HIE, many people here suffer with the great density and grain. Some even think that the "halo" that the film produces is due to infrared light. In fact it is due to the fact that HIE never has been produced on dyed base material or had an antihalation coating! Overexposure of course increases the halation.

I would use a higher exposure index, say 400 0r 640, and develop in whatever standard developer you feel comfortable with. I like Ilfosol-S or Microphen 1:1 with this film, as both of these do not accentuate the coarse grain. Divided developers will work well, also. Another possibility is to use a Pyrocatechin tanning developer, which will cost you about 1/2 to 1 stop in speed and mask the grain with developer stain deposits. The formulas of Hans Windisch (Die Neue Foto Schule, Heering Verlag, Vaduz, 1956) are excellent Pyrocatechin formulas. This I have not tried on IR films, but the grain seems to disappear in the stain, especially in the highlights. Another advantage of the most popular Windisch developer is its extreme suppression of halation by only developing the film's surface!

Best of luck!

Edward M. Lukacs, LRPS Miami, Florida, USA

Reply 2:

Date sent:        Thu, 04 Apr 1996 12:13:19 +1000 (EST)
From:             Jesse David Andrewartha 
Subject:          Re: Kodak High Speed Infrared dev.
To:               photoforum@osfmail.isc.rit.edu
Send reply to:    photoforum@listserver.isc.rit.edu

I may be able to partly answer your questions regarding HIE. Although it has been a long time since I have used IR, I went through a stage where I was IR mad but unsatisfied with the results I was getting from contemporary MQ/ PQ developers, they were typically very contrasty, very grainy and lacked subtlety of tone.

It was then that I discovered the pyro clan, developers that use either pyrocatchin or pyrogallol (do not confuse them, pyrocatechin is an inorganic compound made from a reaction involving caustic soda, pyrogallol is derived from gall nuts).

These developers are known for their compensating action (ability to retain detail in the highlights without sacrificing shadow detail), acutance and staining action (the resulting stain masks grain, giving near grainless images, within reason). It is these qualities that make them perfect for HIE.

I agree with the suggestion to use pyrocatechin with HIE, but as suggested a higher speed rating than usual is required, because pyrocatecin formulas such as Windisch's have extreme compensating action. I made the mistake of uysing Windisch's formula while rating at ISO 160, and I was forced to use grade 5 to get a mediocre print. This was because the compensating action had pulled so much into the highlights, grade 5 was required. So, increase the speed and extend development to get the contrast required (this you may have to test yourself!) Exposed and developed properly, a pyorcatechin developed HIE neg is very beautiful.

As mentioned, however, you will need to increase your exposure one stop over the metered exposure as pyrocatechin reduces film speed 50% (1 stop).

Also, pyrocatechin is highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and absorption; 1 gram by ingestion is certainly fatal and is absorbed easily through the skin. Use gloves and whatever precautions necessary when handling the dry powder and using the developer. However, bear in mind that with appropriate caution,I have had no troubles over the two years that I have intermittently used pyrocatechin.

If you want a little less compensation and no loss of film speed, PMK (a pyrogallol based developer) is great, and I use this developer frequently with all my processing. Although you can't use the film at as high a speed as with pyrocatechin, it has the stain which will mask the grain and does not create loss of film speed (indeed, if you add a pinch of amidol to the formula, speed is increased 1/2 a stop). I use PMK for 20 minutes @ 20C with the standard dilution, and rate the film (HIE) at 200 and expose Zone V as Zone VII, but again, you may need to test this yourself.

ABC pyro is also an option, however, this is the most unforgiving and fickle pyro developer. But once again, exposed and developed correctly, this developer offers very beautiful results. For this I rate HIE at 50, expose Zone V as a Zone VII and develop for 5 minutes with the standard dilution.

If you are not a chemistry buff, you can use Selectol soft. This off the shelf developer offers better results than other stock developers. Don't take any notice that it is a print developer (I'm sorry, I've forgotten the time and dilution, I think its 18 minutes at 1:3 when rated at ISO 100-160, but don't quote me on that)

Have fun!

Jesse

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