View source for Efke

{{Short description|Croatian photography supplies brand}}
{{infobox Photographic film
| name     = Efke
| image    = KB25.JPG
| maker    = Fotokemika
| speed    = 25/15°,<br/> 50/18°,<br/> 100/21°,<br/> 200/24°,<br/> 400/27°
| format   = [[135 film|35&nbsp;mm]], [[120 film|120]], [[127 film|127]], [[sheet film|sheet]] film (various sizes)
| bw       = yes
| type     = ,[[photographic paper]], [[Infrared film]],[[color film]] and [[reversal film]]
| process  = [[Gelatin-silver process|Gelatin-silver]], [[C-41 process]] and [[E-6 process]]
}}
'''Efke''' is the brand name of [[photographic film]]s, [[photographic paper|papers]], and chemicals that were manufactured by ''Fotokemika Zagreb d.d.'', a company located in [[Samobor]], [[Croatia]].

==Products description==
[[File:EFKE KB21 Black & white film.jpg|thumb|left|upright|EFKE KB21 Black & white film]]
 
The Efke films are [[black-and-white]] films with high [[silver]] content and as a result give a large [[exposure (photography)|exposure]] latitude and high quality grayscale reproduction when compared with modern films. The Efke 25, 50 and 100 products were made using the [[ADOX]] formulas that were first introduced in the 1950s.

Efke also made an infrared film sold as Efke IR820, a color film branded as "efkecolor" in ISO speeds of 100/400 (1986-1992), spektar 100/200/400 (~1992-2009)<ref>{{cite web|title=mention of efkecolor spektar films being on sale in germany 2009|url=http://www.hobbyphoto-forum.de/t6105f8-Guenstige-Diafilme-bei-dm-1.html|accessdate=13 January 2023}}</ref> and HG100 (~1996-?) as well as a 100 ISO [[color reversal film]] called "efkechrome" (1982-1999).<ref>{{cite web|title=list including availability of efkecolor and efkechrome films|url=https://www.fotointern.ch/wp-uploads/2016/03/Tabelle_Hausmarkenfilm_200316.pdf|publisher=fotointern.ch|accessdate=8 October 2022}}</ref>

Color Efke films are very rare and information is almost impossible to find due to the color film being discontinued rather quickly compared to Efke's other product lines.

The black and white Efke films are more forgiving of exposure variations than modern tabular crystal films. The nature of the product also allows large, grain free, enlargements to be made from negatives.

Efke black and white films were coated in one layer, unlike most other films which are coated in multiple layers. This makes the film thinner and the emulsion more easily damaged, especially when still wet after development. A hardening [[photographic fixer|fixer]] can be used to help protect the emulsion. The film base is also thinner and more transparent, making inspection of the negative easier. However it can also make the film curl more easily.

Efke was the only manufacturer making [[127 film|127 format film]] between 1995, when [[Kodak]] discontinued the format, and 2006, when a Canadian company also began making 127.<ref>{{cite web |title=127 film in the Frugal Photographer catalog |url=http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat127.htm |work=The Frugal Photographer |publisher=Frugal Photographer |accessdate=12 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304150012/http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat127.htm |archivedate=4 March 2013 }}</ref>

Efke's Infrared Film, sold under the brand name Efke IR820 was the only infrared film manufactured that has good IR sensitivity beyond 750&nbsp;nm extending out to 820&nbsp;nm. In the past other films such as Kodak's HIE offered this but have recently been discontinued and are no longer made.

==Closing==

Fotokemika ceased all production on 30 August 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=mention of Fotokemika closing their factory |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/z5dnc/fotokemikaefke_can_no_longer_manufacture_black/ |website=reddit}}</ref>

As a result of the [[breakup of Yugoslavia]] in the 1990s and the subsequent privatization process of the company, its equipment and Real Estate were sold to western companies and many of its workers laid off during the 90s and 2000s, which  ultimately led the company to its bankruptcy.

For a short while after its closing the company existed as a distributor of medical films and materials made by other manufacturers.

== Legacy ==
There have been efforts<ref>{{cite web |title=Fotokemika project |url=http://believeinfilm.com/article/fotokemika-project |accessdate=12 March 2013 |publisher=believeinfilm.com |archive-date=23 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423225337/http://believeinfilm.com/article/fotokemika-project |url-status=dead }}</ref> to save the Fotokemika heritage.

In late 2020 Croatian photographer ''Silvester Kolbas'' organized an exhibition about efke, the company ''Fotokemika Zagreb d.d'' and its heritage at the [[Museum of Technology "Nikola Tesla", Zagreb]], called "Fotokemika"<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2021 |title=Silvester Kolbas "Fotokemika" izložba |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSCD7uzi0qs |access-date=9 October 2022 |website=Youtube}}</ref> showcasing old equipment and products, that were left behind in the abandoned factory facilities of ''Fotokemika Zagreb d.d'', as well as photos taken with expired efke black and white film.

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* Unofficial Fotokemika Website: http://www.fotokemika.hr/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621122510/http://fotokemika.hr/ |date=2024-06-21 }} (this site remains incomplete and has not been updated since 2007)

[[Category:Manufacturing companies of Croatia]]
[[Category:Photography companies of Croatia]]
[[Category:Croatian brands]]
[[Category:Photographic film makers]]
[[Category:Defunct photography companies]]
[[Category:Chemical companies of Croatia]]