Recommendations for an Infra-red film in 120 format?

[xtolsniffer]

Dear all,
I'm a former user of Kodak HIE in 35mm, I never used much of it, but what I did use, I loved. Now that it is gone and buried, I'm looking for a replacement, but in 120 format for a spare Mamiya RB67 back I have. This is so I can have it around for when I see that opportunity for an Infra-red picture. The problem I found with using 35mm is that I always had to have one spare camera with HIE loaded in it and go out specifically looking for shots that would work in infra-red. I lost count of the number of times I saw something that would be great in infra-red (to my mind anyway) but didn't have that particular camera body with me. Carrying a spare back with 120 infra-red film seems like a good opportunity.

The trouble is, which film? I get so confused with Mako, Efke, Rollei, Ilford SFX etc etc. I know there are quite a few posts on here on the topic, but I'm still deeply confused. I used to use either a deep red (Cokin Red 003) or infra-red (Cokin 007 which is an 89B filter) with HIE and would quite like to replicate the overall feel of HIE if that's still possible. Any recommendations?

[AgX]

As B&W Infrared type 120 there is at the moment:

Efke IR 820

Ilford SfX 200

Rollei Infrared 400

Rollei Superpan 200 Prof


(Rollei 80 R [the same spectral sensitization as Superpan] is announced as type 135.


And there still is the Kodak Aerochrome Infrared as type 120 conversion.

[kraker]

...and you could even try Delta 3200: see this thread.

I've tried (all with an R72 filter) Efke IR 820; found it to be very slow with filter (around ISO 1) and reports of "dusty" negatives can be found on APUG. Rollei IR 400: around ISO 6, some nice results. SFX 200, around ISO 12, some good results, and I can shoot it handheld, which makes it my favourite so far.

Then again, I've never used HIE, so other than seeing shots made by others, I can't really tell you what compares best. Actually, I think nothing compares to HIE.

[Terence]

I haven't used the Rollei (old or new), but of the others, only the Efke (and old, not current, Maco) will give you the "wood effect" that HIE gave of white foliage, etc. And even to get that you'll need to use a true IR filter and not just a red filter. Also, it has an anti-halation layer, so you won't get the the blooming/haloing you got with HIE.

The Maco, and SFX are more correctly "enhanced red sensitivity" films. They give a slight "wood effect" but it's not as easy and conditions need to be very conducive to it. With a red filter they will, however, give you beautiful dark skies and bright white clouds.

SFX is my favorite film. In 35mm it's a bit grainy, but the 120 is very nice.

[xtolsniffer]

So does that mean the Efke has the greatest response into the infra-red? I do rather like the 'white foliage' effect, though I do appreciate that the anti-halation layer will reduce the halo effect, though I suppose I could get that back with a diffuser. It's the dark skies and white trees I'm after, a bit cliched perhaps, but exciting and fun to see.

[keithwms]

Rollei + #87 is my preferred combination.

[Shmoo]

The Rollei IR 400 and an 89b or 87 is a great combination.