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MACO - Infrared film

Table of contents:

  1. Summary
  2. Short introduction
  3. Assortment
  4. General Data of the emulsion and the basematerial
  5. Data on ISO values / Film speed and use of filters
  6. Storage and handling
  7. Processing informations / development timetable

1. Summary
Our infrared Films are from Maco:
A short summary of attributes of this MACO Black & White Infrared Film

  • true infrared sensitization up to 820nm
  • wide range of applications in scientific/technical and pictorial photography
  • very fine grain
  • high sharpness
  • excellent resolving power
  • integrated antihalation coating
  • clear base
  • attractive value for money
  • complete assortment, 135-36, 120 and 4x5"

2. Short introduction

Black & white IR Photography is being applied for many decades now. Main application fields today are scientific, technical and pictorial photography.

For every application there is a book covering practical working aspects. Furthermore, interested customers can use the Internet as a reliable source of information. We strongly recommend to use this proven information channels.

Infrared photography inspires photographers around the world for unusual, "never seen before" images. As the special charism of infrared images can hardly be described, we recommend to take a trip into the field of invisibility yourself to virtually see what is in there for you.

3. Assortment

  • 35 mm film, double perforation, 136-36 cartridge, DX code
    (metal cartridge easy opening by hand, reusable)
  • 120 rollfilm
  • sheetfilm in size: 4" x 5", 25 Sheets

4. General data of the emulsion and the basematerial

Emulsion:
panchromatic, cubic crystal emulsion with additional infrared sensitization up to 820 nm, integrated antihalation coating (water soluble) allows for excellent resolving power.

Base:
clear base, delivers short printing times and allows for excellent reversal processing results with high projection brilliance.

5. Data on ISO values/Film speed and use of filters

As normal ISO speed values do not apply, we recommend to apply f-stop bracketing and trial development to establish individual data for best results.

ISO Film speed without filter is ISO 100/21°.

Working with filters (strongly recommended) and depending on the type of lighting (sun at noon, sunset, tungsten or electronic flash where infrared radiation varies strongly) take following chart as a guideline only. For approximate ISO Speed starting points (approximate due to the unmeasurable infrared radiation) please refer to our processing chart with ISO settings.

Which filter for which effect ? - A filtration guideline
Filter color Filter No._ Spectral trans-mission (from nm up) Effect
dark yellow

12

500

darker sky
orange

22

550

clouds show details
red

25

580

beginning moonshine effect
dark red

29

610

beginning "Wood" effect
very dark red

70

660

good "Wood" effect
IR black

88A

730

absorbs visible light
IR black

87

740

absorbs visible light
IR black

87C

800

absorbs visible light

_ Filter No.'s refer to the Kodak Wratten nomenclature

6. Storage and handling

Store unexposed film at 55°F / 13°C or lower in the original package. After exposure, develop promptly. If direct processing is not possible, store well contained, dry and cool until processing.

The MACO IR 820c has to be handled in total darkness only. If unsure, test your camera, film holders, processing equipment (Jobo tanks are safe). Load and unload your camera in total darkness.

7. Processing informations

Preferably use stainless steel developing tanks or wrap aluminum foil around plastic tanks or develop in complete darkness.

Important: As the antihalation coating is water dissolvable, a prewash of one minute before development will be carried out in order to remove it. The prewash water will have a greenish blue color.

All given times are to be viewed as a guideline and are based on 21°C / 70 F. Agitate the first 30 seconds constantly, then once every 30 seconds! Thus the best possible acutance (edge sharpness) will be achieved.

Following chart has been worked out by using a PENTAX Spotmeter in combination with an infrared filter HELIOPAN 695 (89B).

Data for exposure/development/fixing
Manufacturer/ product Dilution Measure time in min. ISO Speed setting
Kodak XTOL

(1+3)

Spot

14

12/12° = N+3
Kodak XTOL

(1+3)

Integral

14

50/18° = N+3
LP Docufine LC

(1+4)

Spot

7

32/13° = N+2
LP Docufine LC

(1+4)

Integral

7

40/17° = N+2
LP-GRAIN liquid

(1+7)

Spot

7

40/17° = N+2,5
FIXING:
LP-FIX SUPRA

(1+7)

5

Preferably use LP-FIX SUPRA, a high energy rapid fixer based on X-Ray technology, rather than using a conventional fixer(e.g. MACO ecofix). After washing has been completed, the use of LP-MASTERPROOF wetting agent is highly recommended.


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