We present early–time optical and near–infrared photometry of supernova ( SN ) 2005cf .
The observations , spanning a period from about 12 days before to 3 months after maximum , have been obtained through the coordination of observational efforts of various nodes of the European Supernova Collaboration and including data obtained at the 2m Himalayan Chandra Telescope .
From the observed light curve we deduce that SN 2005cf is a fairly typical SN Ia with a post–maximum decline ( \Delta m _ { 15 } ( B ) _ { true } = 1.12 ) close to the average value and a normal luminosity of M _ { B,max } = –19.39 \pm 0.33 .
Models of the bolometric light curve suggest a synthesised ^ { 56 } Ni mass of about 0.7M _ { \odot } .
The negligible host galaxy interstellar extinction and its proximity make SN 2005cf a good Type Ia supernova template .