I generally run HP5 thru my M6 but I'm curious about this film. I know there is a German website (FotoImpex?) that I can order from, but does anyone know of a US source? Developer recommendations? Also, anyone care to comment on Bergger film?

Many thanks

Jeff

-- jeff (debontekou@yahoo.com), March 20, 2002

Answers

I have tested and used Bergger BPF 200 in 4x5. It's fine for view camera applications. It is similar to the old Kodak Super-XX, which suggests grain and sharpness might not be up to modern expectations in 35mm. (The tonal scale recommends it to large-format users.) I was surprised to find it being offered in 120 and 35mm. If you used older lenses, you might bring back the "look" of fifty years ago (just a thought). I don't know about EFKE/Adox films' availablity in the USA.

-- Mark Sampson (MSampson45@aol.com), March 20, 2002.

Jeff: Go to: (http://www.digitaltruth.com) to the Massive Development Chart. There is a list of developers and times for Efke film. Oh, and do bookmark this site....it's great, with lots of neat links to other photo related sites.

-- Ben Hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), March 20, 2002.

I use Efke KB 25 (and occasionally 120 R 25) a lot--its my favorite film--IMO beautiful sharpness and tonality. I rate it at an e.i. of 64 and develop for 7.5 minutes in straight D23 @ 68? F, but YRMV.

Freestyle carried the film until a couple of years ago when Fotokemika Zagreb shut down production to move their factory. They're back in production now, but AFAIK Freestyle has no plans to stock Efke film again. When the last of my several frozen 100' bulk rolls (I stocked up on when I found out Freestyle was dropping the film) are gone I plan to order more from Photoimpex (http://www.photoimpex.de/Home/home.html) unless I can find a US source.

Here are a couple of examples:

http://www.pbase.com/image/785686

http://www.pbase.com/image/1015885

-- Robert Marvin (marvbej@earthlink.net), March 20, 2002.

the efke films are excellent. they are the oem mfr for a number of house branded films, especially jessops in the uk. the slow speed emulsions are very good, although sub 100, my favorite continues to be pan f. as for the bergger emulsions, i agree that the grain is large and irregular (a la tri x in many ways), aggressively so if care is not taken at the dev stage. however, it gives a very high perceived sharpness as do ost large grain films. in my experience (and i think that of many others) grain size (up to a point) and perceived sharpness are inversely proportional. i still have some XX in my freezer -- can't bear to use the last of it!!!

-- roger michel (michel@TCN.ORG), March 20, 2002.

Hi gang,

Check out a USA source for the Efke films -- it's jancphoto at www.jancphoto.com. John there seems really helpful and a good person to deal with.

Vinnie

-- Vince Dobson (vince@visionsinnature.com), June 27, 2002.

SORRY!!!

That should have been www.jandcphoto.com - dropped a "d", found on floor under my computer.

V

-- Vince Dobson (vince@visionsinnature.com), June 27, 2002.