Trying ROLLEI RETRO 400S 35mm

[pentaxpete]

I was sent some film including a 36Exp ROLLEI RETRO 400S  -- after some research I found it is really AVIPHOT Aerial Survey Film of higher contrast to allow for shooting land from above  --  I first tried  a short length  in my Home-Made FX-37 formula Diluted 1+9  which gives good results BUT it came out with 'empty shadows' and contrasty highlights. So next I mixed up some 2-bath 'DIAFINE'  to a formula I had tucked away in my Book and gave it 5 mins in each bath rating film at 400ASA and using various filters --- it worked better !  I got 400ASA and it seems to be true that the Sensitivity extends into the near Infra-Red as a RED filter had not much effect -- here are some scans -- I have not done 'Darkroom Prints' yet' 
NO FILTER  -- 

ROLLEI RETRO 400S Test 04 No Filter by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
RED Filter --

ROLLEI RETRO 400S Test 03 Red Filter by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

ROLLEI RETRO 400S Test 06 Red Filter by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
YELLOW Filter --

ROLLEI RETRO 400S Test 05 Yellow Filter by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

[zx9]

Interesting background on the film Peter, it is not one that I ever used.
If as you say it was intended for aerial photography, the contrast and ability to cut through haze would make scenes, extol or stand dev. in Rodinal would be something else to try for opening thee shadows.

[zou]

I haven't used this later version but had a pack of 10 rolls of 120 of the earlier Retro 400. Contrast is great, good detail etc. but the base curled like crazy.

[donerundlecams]

I shot a number of rolls of the Rollei Retro 400S and quite liked the results and, subsequently, sold quite a few rolls to folks

Cheers,
Jack .....I'll try sus out some snaps