Infrared for beginners

Fanesa · 2008-04-14T19:09:12+00:00

Gerne würde ich mal die Infrarot Fotografie austesten. Dazu habe ich aber noch folgende Unklarheiten. Ich habe keinen IR Filter. Ich besitze aber einen Rot...

Fanesa

I’d love to give infrared photography a go. However, I’m still a bit unclear about a few things. I don’t have an IR filter. But I do have a red filter, an orange filter, a magenta filter and a blue filter for black and white. I use the Cromatek filter system. (The square ones with the box in front of the lens.) I’ve heard that some IR films produce good results even with dark red filters. Would that work for me – using the red filter plus another one? So, perhaps an orange or magenta filter as well? There is an IR filter available for the Cromatek system for under €10.

Fanesa

Wouldn't anyone like to briefly explain whether that would work or not?

Wolfgg

Hello Fanesa, Combining a red filter with an orange or magenta filter is pointless, as the red filter blocks everything that the orange or magenta filters allow through. Here is an informative link with lots of further links on the subject of infrared: http://www.aphog.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2348 Best regards, Wolfgang

EugenMezei

To start with, it should be enough to place a piece of exposed (i.e. black) and developed C41 film in front of the lens. If possible, in two layers of emulsion. The leading sections of the film are ideal for this – in other words, the part that is exposed to light when loaded into the camera. Why do you assume that a filter costing €10 is no good? On the contrary, I assume that IR filters are simply overpriced. Eugen

BerndDaub

Hello Fanesa, The red filter was very well suited to the Kodak HIE. However, unfortunately, it is no longer manufactured. Alternatives include Rollei IR, EFKE IR 820 and, as hybrid films that are somewhat IR-compatible, Ilford SX200 and Maco’s Superpan. For all of these, you’ll need proper IR filters that are so dark you can practically not see through them. Set the camera to a relatively low speed, compose the shot, then attach the filter and perform the exposure. You’ll need to test the achievable speed with a bracketed exposure series, at least for the first roll of film, as IR filters come in different ‘strengths’. I’d recommend EFKE IR 820 to start with. Is the Cromatec any good? I’d say yes, if it looks practically opaque to the naked eye. If not: exchange it! Best regards Bernd