Ah it’s so damn sunny outside now. Everyone is taking out their linen sheets and wearing their shorts. Great time to be learning sunny 16, too. And because it’s so beautiful out, we thought that perhaps it’s now time to start shooting more slow films, like this weeks film Friday, Rollei’s Retro 80S!
We’ve covered its sibling, Retro 400S, extensively before, and 80S shares a lot of the same characteristics. It’s contrasty, it’s infrared sensitive, and very fine grained and yes, it’s repackaged Agfa aerial film – specifically Agfa Aviphot 80.
Because it’s slower, it’s even finer grained than 400S and is designed to cut through fog and haze while maintaining good detail. Don’t let the thin negative turn you off, as it’s designed to be easy to scan and anti-static scratch resistant. This last bit is great as dust just slide off the negative.
I mentioned earlier that it is contrasty. This isn’t necessarily true, as 80S is one of those films that can change a lot depending on the developer and developing method used. Yes, you can say that this applies to most if not all black and white films, but it’s especially apparent with Retro 80S as it’s designed to appeal to specific needs. For example, if you’re looking to do large scale photography they recommend to develop it as low contrast as possible as well as overexpose it slightly, while if you’re looking to shoot it as a civilian or military in high altitudes you can shoot it at up to 100 ASA and develop it for a bit longer.
And yes, it’s infrared sensitive of up to 740nm. If you use a deep red filter, you will see some cool highlight glows! Of course, this also means that you will have to compensate exposure for it slightly with filter factors but it still gives a very distinctive look. First roll I ever shot of it was with a red filter downtown, and I’ve never really seen anything like it.
It’s pretty great. Get some and shoot some in these lovely summer days of the beautiful mountains. As usual, it will be 10% off in 120 and 35mm! Online and in-store.
