Once again it was time for a spontaneous photo tour with a fixed theme. Normally I only shoot what comes to my nose. I am always very free. But that was a wonderful day, Saturday 30 May 2020.

The sun was shining and cumulus clouds were gathering in the sky. The ideal weather for cloud photography with a red filter. I know, the afternoon is not the best time for landscape photography, but today the landscape was only a decorative accessory. What is it they say? “Between ten and three, the landscape photographer has free.“ So I loaded a Rollei Superpan 200 into my beloved Rolleiflex T and planted the red filter on the bayonet.

I fell in love with the Rolleiflex T very early on. The coupling of time and aperture, for example, I find simply brillant. You set the light value and then you have all possibilities. And everything runs so silky smooth and silent, the handling is outstanding. And you photograph so nicely from the tummy, that also fits my style.

For a clear view of the clouds, I chose a mountain near me. But remember, I live in a low mountain range, and our mountains are not the kind of mountains known from the Alps. No, they’re more like hills.

On my way over the hill I also discovered some motives, which brought out the clouds very well. To my shame I have to admit that in some photos I did not wait until the clouds were right.

I am actually very enthusiastic about the film. It brought me in connection with the red filter beautiful contrasts and grey tones. Also the sharpness does not leave much to be desired, but I think the eagle eye Tessar is also to blame for that. But even without the filter I like it very much. It’s fine-grained too. And it’s suitable for infrared up to 750nm.

I was a bit sceptical at first after reading about some bad experiences with this film. But I will use this film even more often, I am very satisfied. Maybe I’m not so picky either?

I developed the film in Tetenal Ultrafin T-Plus, which I still know as Ultrafin liquid and Plus from the past, i.e. from 20 years ago. It was my standard developer back then and it is again today, after I tried some other developers after my re-entry into analog photography. I don’t know why, but Ultrafin brought me the most pleasing negatives for me.

~ Olaf

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7 responses to “5 Frames. Cumulus afternoon with a red filter on Rollei Superpan 200 (EI 200 / 120 format / Rolleiflex T)”

  1. Rosen Kalpachki Avatar

    Great images, Olaf! I’ve beloved in Superpan 200 since my first roll. And in Rolleiflex too. Thank you!

  2. Readers who are interested in Rollei Superpan 200—a fine film to be sure–should be aware that the supply is limited. This is what Henning Serger, who is extremely well informed, posted on the Photrio forum in April 2019: “Last year Agfa informed all their important customers that the last coating run of Aviphot Pan 200 was done in 2018. They will not produce this film again. When the current stock will be depleted, this film will be gone, too.” (https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/rollei-rpx-25-grain-and-resolution.115244/page-4#post-2172280). So get it while you can.

    1. I should probably add that Superpan 200, just like Rollei Infrared and Rollei Retro 400S, is repackaged Agfa Aviphot Pan 200. So buy what you can get for the best price, it is all the same (source: https://aphog.com/forum/index.php/Thread/42126-Rollei-Superpan-200-IR-400/?postID=384731#post384731, in German).

  3. Hi Olaf,
    you mentioned the IR capability of the film. I use it for IR in most cases, with an IR72 filter.
    For landscapes I prefer wider format than 6×6 like the the 6×17 or 6×10 Brooks Plaubel Veriwide, and even sometimes the Zero 612 pinhole, all with IR72 filter. Shooting IR during midday with bright sun light is ideal, you get the best Wood-effect 🙂
    click on my name for some examples
    regards und viele Grüße
    dierk

    1. Hi Dierk,
      sorry for the late answer.
      Thank you!
      Yes for the Superpan is more than IR720 useless.
      I also have a 780nm filter that I bought for the Konica Infrared, long time ago. It is almost black.
      And with this filter the exposure times are 30 sec and more.
      I found out that 720nm is absolutely suitable and you can still take pictures almost from the hand.
      Yes, 6×9 would be fine, but I have only a Durst M605, 6×6, not more.

      Best wishes und alles Gute
      Olaf

  4. Great results! Your photos inspire me to try Rollei Superpan 200 with a red filter. I use Rollei Superpan 200 quite a lot for general purpose use, I really like it. It’s cheap too. And it loads onto developing reels easily because it is flat polyester rather than curly acetate. And it pushes to ISO 400 really well.

    1. Thanks a lot Ray! I’m glad you like my photos. The Superpan 200 has been my favourite so far as an all-round film besides Ilford. And for this price, great.
      I wish you always good light!

 

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