Best equivalent for Ilford Pan F in 4x5?

[Tom Hoskinson]

Yes John, I also shoot Efke 50 and Efke 25.

Efke 50 is very similar to Efke 100 - just slower.

Efke 25 has long been one of my favorite films, but it takes some testing and "getting used to." Results with Efke 25 are sensitive to the developer and development procedure employed. Obeying the admonition to "Expose for the Shadows and Develop for the Highlights" is pretty much a requirement for Efke 25.

Efke 100 and Efke 50 are reported to work well with a variety of developers. Kodak X-TOL would probably work well, for example.

I mix my own developers and my personal favorite with all three of these Efke films is Pyrocat-HD.

However, I've also used Rodinal and Crawley's FX-2 with good results.

[Jim_3565]

The closest thing in terms of tonality to Pan F in a sheet film is 400TMax. Develop it in a gentle, soft working developer like Harvey's (something with glycin in it) and you'll turn all the midtones from gray to silver.

[Ron Marshall]

I haven't tried Pan F, but FP4+ is great.

[julian_4860]

John, these are all efke 25 in rodinal (apart from the top row)
www.foundobjectsgallery.com/green/index.htm

here are some pan f tests, rated at 25
www.foundobjectsgallery.com/panF/

[Remigius]

how about rollei r3 or fomapan 100, has anybody used one of these?

[Tom Hoskinson]

"how about rollei r3 or fomapan 100, has anybody used one of these?"

I've used fomapan 100 and fomapan 200T. Both films can produce nice images - if you get a good batch of film...

Foma Quality Control leaves something to be desired IMHO.

I have not tried rollei r3

[paulr]

"I can't get on with the T-grain films like Tmax and Acros (and I've tried). The midtones are so boring."

this probably has to do with how the film is being developed. tmax midtones can be pushed around to look like just about anything.

if you're only interested in using a commercial lab, then that unfortunately limits your choices. especially if they use t-max developer ... i never thought it was an inspiring combination, even though presumeably they were designed for each other.

[Tom Westbrook]

I agree with paulr on the TMX mid-tone thing. Using a warmer developer temperature of 24C seems to help, too. I mostly use either dilute Xtol or Tmax RS 1:9 at 24C in a Jobo for around 7 min and am pleased with the results. I used to use Xtol 1:1 or D76 1:1 @20c and felt the mid's were too flat, too.

[Richard Kelham]

The Efke films seem to have a slightly softer emulsion so beware of scratching it. Otherwise very good traditional films.

[Don Wallace]

I am getting more intrigued by Efke because so many people seem to like it. My main developer is HC-110 but, given the combinations cited above, I am guessing I should try something else with Efke. Also, does anyone have development times for the various Efke films in a Jobo (just as a starting point)?