Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film
Efke KB25 Black and White 135mm film is manufactured using classic emulsions with very high silver content. This results in a large exposure latitude and superior grayscale reproduction. The Efke 25, 50 and 100 films are made using the ADOX formulas that were first introduced back in the 1950s.
Efke products are true to their rated speed. Unlike modern flat crystal films, which are very unforgiving to use, these films allow beginners to produce quality images. The nature of the film also easily allows large, grain free, enlargements to be made from negatives.
- Made in Croatia
- Efke roll films are coated on a polyester base (100 microns plus coating)
| Type | 135-36 mm black and white negative film |
| Speed | ISO 25 |
| Applications | Fine-grain prints |
| Process | Treat the wet emulsion with extreme care; Efke recommends the use of hardener in the stop bath or fixer; Never use a stop-bath with a higher concentration than 2% -- in fact, Efke recommends the use of plain water in place of a stop bath; If exposed to film's regular speed of ISO 25, the following developing times apply: Kodak D76/ID-11 = 8 Minutes; If ISO 25 film is exposed to ISO 50 for increased speed and optimum differentiation of highlights, the following developing times apply: Kodak D76/ID-11 = 11-12 Minutes |
| Color Saturation | Not applicable |
| Grain | Fine |
| Sharpness | High |
| Exposure Latitude | Wide |
| Push/Pull | Do NOT over-expose Efke Emulsions; This film is not recommended for pull processing |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 12 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Sharp (8)
- Reliable tonal range (7)
- Accurate (4)
- Consistent (4)
Cons
- Scratches easily (4)
Best Uses
- Artwork (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 12 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-12
Pros
- Accurate
- Consistent
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Scans Well
- Sharp
Cons
- Scratches Easily
Best Uses
- Outdoor still shots
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
slow film great for architecture and still shots. I've had no problem with standard development. It does scratch easier than faster films, but if careful this shouldn't be a problem. Highly recommend!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Sharp
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
This is great, super fine grain black and white negative film. I would recommend exposing this film as 25 iso and not pushing or pulling in developing. This film is best used in well planned lighting situations. Most 50 or 100 iso films will accomplish the same results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Sharp
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Travel
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
I've only shot one roll so far. Found that my Coolscan will not accept this film, rejects it whenever I try to feed it in. Had to revert to my backup 8800F Canon. Overall I'm pleased with the results of the images I've taken so far. Nice contrast with smoothness that is pleasing to the eye.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Sharp
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Home
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
used for still life photograrhy
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Consistent
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Scans Well
- Sharp
Cons
- Scratches Easily
Best Uses
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
I used this film in a 1954 Argus C-3, and also in my Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super BC. It performs fantastically, with fine grain and excellent contrast. I will be using this film more often than not for my B&W photography.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Home
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
film delivers gorgeous, classic looking photos. Super-fine grain and really lovely tonal range. Only thing is emulsion is quite delicate and if you're souping yourself use a hardening fixer.
Pros
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Sharp
Cons
- Scratches Easily
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Landscape
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
The film delivers gorgeous, classic looking photos. Super-fine grain and really lovely tonal range. Only thing is emulsion is quite delicate and if you're souping yourself use a hardening fixer.
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
This legendary old school film, now have the correct name Adox CHS 25, in the past is called KB 14. On Adox[@] you find technical info, english is partial.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Fine Art
- Landscapes
- Portraits
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
This film is very close to the old ADOX KB14, which was my father's mainstay for portraiture and theater publicity shots in the 1950's and 1960's. The emulsion is definitely fragile, use hardening fixer and handle with care. Has a different look than Plus-X / Tri-X. Wonderful stuff. I recently started heading back into film - fabulous to find this is still available.
Pros
- Accurate
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Sharp
Cons
- Scratches Easily
Best Uses
- Artwork
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
im a little new to film but i thought id try a film that was a little out there. i did my research and got some great tips on developing the film. found this film to be extremely sharp. i pushed my first roll to 50 and got wonderful results.
Pros
- Accurate
- Consistent
- Reliable Tonal Range
- Sharp
Cons
- Cassette somewhat loose
Best Uses
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
This is a really good film with very very little grain. I've read that efke doesn't recommend overexposing, but that's kinda hard to do with a 25 speed film. I found the slow speed very useful on bright days and when enlarged I found it difficult to find the grain with our grain focuser.
The only problem I found with this film was that I could take the film cassette apart by hand. A little disconcerting; Although it may open the possibility that you can reuse the cassette....I've never tried it myself, but it seems possible.
Comments about Efke KB25 Black and White 135-36 Size Film:
I have to admit, that having just returned to serious photography after a 12-year hiatus, I was skeptical about trying Efke film; my past experience with low-speed film was limited to Pan-X 32 & Kodachrome 25. But after using Efke 25 ISO twice on two separate subjects, I am thoroughly impressed.My original intent was to photograph the California silver ghost town of Bodie with Efke 25 ISO 120 film, using a Mamiya 645AFDii & a Cokin red filter. The combination of the low grain, great transitions and amazing contrast, made the high altitude, cloudless mid-day images spectacular. Ive enlarged several of the images to 20 x 30 and the natural wood grains of the buildings, the sharpness of the dried grasses and rough edges of the stones are so clear in the images, that you feel you are there.This past weekend, I tried Efke 25 ISO 35mm with my new Nikon F6 at an outdoor wedding. The unfiltered contrast and sharpness of the film scans have produced magazine quality images, which required virtually no level adjustment in Photoshop; Ive already had several enlarged to 16 x 20.
Expertise: Former Pro, who has returned to serious photography
Problems Encountered: None that I've encountered.
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Kodak Pan-X 32 & Ilford Pan-F 50
Items I Recommend: Light meter
Displaying reviews 1-12
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