Kate in the Rain, Hexar RF, ZM Biogon 35, Efke 400, Tmax Dev

I’ve been wanting to try Efke 400 for a while now, and I’ve recently struck on trying new films as a way to avoid buying new lenses, so I added a half dozen rolls to my last B&H order. I’ve only developed two of the rolls, but initial results seem really interesting. This film has got some character to it. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Despite some rather dire warnings in the marketing copy from various resellers, the film doesn’t seem particularly fragile. I processed and sleaved Efke according to my normal procedures, and I didn’t notice anything untoward. The negatives don’t seem to scratch particularly easily, so that’s a bonus.
• This film doesn’t appear to be HP5, although it produces similar results. I guess a previous version of Efke 400 was rebadged HP5. This doesn’t seem to be the case any more. I can’t comment on the internet rumor that it’s a new version of APX that didn’t make it to market.
• Although shadow detail seem fairly average, highlights roll off nicely with this film. This makes it easy to scan. It would probably also make it a good choice for beginners.
• While this isn’t a fine grained film, the grain pattern seems really even, much more so than the slightly clumpy grain found in some Tgrain films. I’d be curious to see how this film looks in an acutance developer.
• This stuff is cheap. $3 for 36 exposure roll is a bargain these days.
• The packaging is kind of hoot. Very retro chic. And the cassette ends pop off really easy; you might even be able to reload these cassettes if you really wanted to.

Developing Efke 400

The film box only gives times for D76 and ID11, and Digital Truth doesn’t give any times for Efke 400. HP5 times are supposed to be a good starting point, but no one has published times for HP5 in Tmax Dev @ 75 degrees, so I just made an educated guess. Tmax Dev 1+5 (my standard control-the-highlights dilution), 75 degrees for 6 minutes with 10 seconds rotational agitation every minute seems to do the trick. Looking back at times published for HP5, 6 minutes seems a little long for 75 degrees, but that’s what I wrote down. I’ll go with my notes, for now, but use your own judgment for off box times

Other than coming up with a time for your favorite developer, there’s nothing special to developing Efke 400. Digital Truth and Freestyle both suggest using water as a stop, which I do for all films anyway. A hardening fixer is also suggested, but Ilford Rapid Fix seemed to work fine. Treating the “wet emulsion with extreme care” is always a good idea. Just don’t drop it on the bathroom floor. As an added bonus, it seems like this film sheets water and dries more evenly than many films.

Efke 400 Samples

Conclusions and a Recommendation

Efke 400 seems to have a number of things going for it without any glaring faults to drag it down. It gives a look similar to TriX and HP5, although it is perhaps a bit more old-fashioned feeling in the look of its grain and the way it renders highlights. If that’s the look you are going for, check it out. Its low price also recommends it. This would be a great first B&W film for someone wanting to try their hand at developing their own. Those warnings about delicate emulsions might be just the thing to force a beginner to develop good technique. There’s enough here to like for a more experienced B&W shooter as well. Well worth checking out.