Ilford SFX 200 is extended-red, panchromatic black-and-white film—not a true infrared film. Its sensitivity reaches up to 740 nm according to Ilford’s November 2018 technical sheet, allowing it to record more deep-red light than conventional panchromatic film. Used with a suitable red filter, it can produce infrared-style tones, but Ilford distinguishes that look from true infrared film.
What “superpanchromatic” means for SFX 200
Panchromatic film responds across the visible spectrum. Ilford describes SFX 200 as having full panchromatic sensitivity plus extended red sensitivity. In photographic usage, “superpanchromatic” refers to that extension farther into red; it does not establish that the emulsion is a true infrared material.
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Ilford’s technical information specifies sensitivity “up to 740nm.” That is the manufacturer’s product specification, published in November 2018, not an independently reported measurement. The sheet includes a spectral-sensitivity graph, but its stated specification should not be read as a precise cutoff or as a detailed response curve.
Is Ilford SFX 200 infrared film?
No. Ilford describes SFX 200 as extended-red film capable of making “infra-red style images,” and distinguishes it from traditional infrared film. One practical difference is handling: Ilford says SFX 200 can be loaded in subdued light rather than total darkness.
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- Capture Spontaneous Moments in Rich, Warm Color: Kodak Gold 200 is famed for its vibrant, sunny hues and forgiving nature, ensuring your everyday snaps turn out beautifully, even if your lighting or settings aren’t perfect
- The Perfect Film for Beginners & Enthusiasts: With high exposure tolerance and reliable 200 ISO, this 35 mm film roll delivers stunning results in both daylight and indoor settings without hassle, making it the ideal choice to learn with or simply enjoy
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Choose SFX 200 for an extended-red effect with ordinary black-and-white processing and subdued-light loading. If a project specifically requires the response or handling characteristics of a true infrared medium, SFX 200 is not an interchangeable substitute.
What a red filter does to the image
A filter changes which wavelengths contribute to exposure; the result remains a black-and-white photograph, not a color infrared image. Ilford says a very deep red filter can make skies appear almost black and most green vegetation almost white. The redder the filter, the more dramatic the effect, though the exact rendering depends on the filter’s transmission and the scene.
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- 2 rolls of film
- ISO 400
- 35 mm
- 36 poses
- Black and white film
Ilford says SFX 200 can also be used with yellow and orange filters. Compare filters by their transmission and exposure demand, not only by their color name. A contributor-hosted Ilford article describes using a 720 nm infrared filter with SFX 200; that demonstrates a creative filter choice, not that the film becomes true infrared film.
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Filter factors and exposure
Ilford’s November 2018 technical sheet provides these example filter factors. They are guidance for the specified filter types, not a guarantee for every filter sold under a similar color label.
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- ISO200, 36EXP
- 35MM Color Negative Film
- C-41 Processing
- DX Coded
| Filter example in Ilford’s sheet | Filter factor |
|---|---|
| Very light yellow (Wratten 3) | 2 |
| Yellow (8) | 2 |
| Deep yellow (12) | 2.3 |
| Very deep yellow (15) | 2.4 |
| Orange (21) | 2.4 |
| Reddish orange (23A) | 2.5 |
| Red (25) | 2.8 |
| Deep red (29) | 3 |
| Very deep red (89B) | 16 |
The very deep red example requires substantially more exposure compensation than the lighter filters. Ilford recommends learning the film by bracketing approximately plus or minus two stops from a through-the-lens reading made with the filter in place, or from a meter reading adjusted by the filter factor. The sheet also warns that some camera TTL meters can underexpose with deep red or orange filters.
Ilford’s bright-sun example with a deep red filter is around 1/30 second at f/5.6; it is an illustration, not a general exposure setting. With very dark filters, exposure can become long enough that a tripod is useful.
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- Ilford 1780624 Delta 100 Professional Black-and-White Film, ISO 100, 35mm 36-Exposure (2 Pack)
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- Superior Performance: for kodak gold 200 film has excellent latent image retention characteristics, excellent consistency and excellent processing robustness.
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- Professional Design: for kodak gold 200 color negative film is designed for daylight and electronic flash exposures.
- Low Speed Color Negative: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is a low speed color negative.
- Compact Size: for kodak gold 200 35mm gold film is small and compact, easy to store and carry, easy to use.
Film speed, formats, loading and processing
- Speed: ISO 200/24° to daylight. Ilford’s technical sheet says the speed rating was measured using ID-11 at 20°C/68°F, with intermittent agitation in a spiral tank.
- Formats: Ilford’s product page lists 35mm and 120. Retail stock and packaging can change, so check current listings before buying.
- Loading: Ilford specifies subdued light, but not total darkness.
- Processing: The film is compatible with normal black-and-white developers. Ilford’s product page lists ID-11 stock at 20°C/68°F for 10 minutes as one example; use the current instructions for the developer and process you choose.
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