IR Photography

[SwissJon]

Recantly ran into a couple of articles on some brilliant IR photographers, one just back from Chernobyl having produced some incredible images, but there's not so much info on it.. I really like the end results, they're so completely different, but I've no idea where to start..

So really what I want to know can I just get an IR converted body (This for example.. Shove on a standard lens, and click away? Something tells me it's not as easy as that (It never is) and there's a few more gotchas and so on.

I know a number of you have had a go at IR, some with some pretty decent results, so what would I need to get going? Since the Autumn is nearly on us, I'm keen to see what the golden colours here look like in IR.. I'd love to see the Alps though a different view point. So really I'd like to get an idea of what kind of basic kit I'll need to get started.

[kcoppock]

Yeah, if you can get an IR converted body, and don't mind it ONLY being used for IR shots, that's definitely the way to go. You'll get normal shutter speeds (meaning you can easily handhold shots), and you'll be able to compose and focus through the viewfinder. You can get one that's semi-IR converted, meaning it just has the IR filter removed from in front of the sensor. You'll still need an IR filter to go on the lens to filter out visible light, but you'll also need an IR filter (to filter out IR light) to go on the lens if you want to take visible light photos.

I can't view your link (ebay is blocked at work), but I would say if you have the resources and want to make a go of it, definitely go for the IR converted camera. If you want to just test the waters, and have a stable tripod, you can always just slap an IR filter (Hoya R72 is popular; it's what I use) on your camera as-is, but depending on the quality of your camera (ironically, the better your camera, the worse it'll be for IR) you'll be looking at 2 or 3 minutes for an exposure. This can get some really cool results if it's what you want, but if you're looking for sharper images with a faster shutter speed, go for a converted camera.

Also, bear in mind, with anything other than an IR converted camera, you can't compose through the viewfinder once you have the IR filter on the lens, so it's an annoying game of "remove the filter, compose, lock focus, replace the filter, estimate exposure time, repeat".

I tend to ramble, so if any of that didn't make sense, I'll be glad to clarify. (or wait till Inkista shows up, who probably knows way more than I do about it!)

[ravncat]

and dont forget not all lenses will focus IR light the same as visible light.
So if you do it on a camera that can CDAF that's better.
some lenses do have IR focus marks.

[arlon]

I started with an IR filter and found the focus issue. A lot of the old lenses have a red mark on the lens barrel where the center of focus is for IR, modern lenses don't. I was shooting a Nikon and they are pretty easy to use with old lenses. The IR filters are also very dark and mean shooting everything with really slow exposures. Everything has to be done on a tripod and anything that moves becomes a blurr..

I like the IR but it didn't take me too long to find a used camera body to have converted to IR (replacing the internal filter in the camera and adjusting the focus for IR). No it is absolutely no different than shooting visible light once you find lens that likes IR (not all do). I have had two converted cameras now, one Nikon D70 (stolen in Tulsa) and my current D100. I shoot a lot more more with a regular camera but the IR is fun in certain situations and also makes for some nice shots when converted to BW. Some of mine out HERE.

Fall colors do absolutely nothing in IR unless you want to photoshop in a bunch of false color.

There is also a forum dedicated to IR photography out here: http://irphotocom.proboards.com/index.cgi

[mosgood]

Originally Posted by arlon

I started with an IR filter and found the focus issue. A lot of the old lenses have a red mark on the lens barrel where the center of focus is for IR, modern lenses don't. I was shooting a Nikon and they are pretty easy to use with old lenses. The IR filters are also very dark and mean shooting everything with really slow exposures. Everything has to be done on a tripod and anything that moves becomes a blurr..

I like the IR but it didn't take me too long to find a used camera body to have converted to IR (replacing the internal filter in the camera and adjusting the focus for IR). No it is absolutely no different than shooting visible light once you find lens that likes IR (not all do). I have had two converted cameras now, one Nikon D70 (stolen in Tulsa) and my current D100. I shoot a lot more more with a regular camera but the IR is fun in certain situations and also makes for some nice shots when converted to BW. Some of mine out HERE.

Fall colors do absolutely nothing in IR unless you want to photoshop in a bunch of false color.

Did you pick up the cameras already converted or did you have them converted yourself? If so, what was the cost to convert? And what do you look for in lenses to go with it?

I would love to be able to do digital IR without all the filter crap interfering. I used to use Kodak's HIE film & absolutely fell in love with the results. I made some really nice black & white prints many years ago. I have a couple of old manual cameras that could probably handle the film (if it's still available), but hate that it's so persnickety to get it in camera, out, & developed without fogging it unintentionally. Digital would bypass all the chemical processing & let me manipulate it on a computer. Gotta love that!

IR is best in the middle of the day with harsh lighting (at least it was with film). I loved the way the green leaves or grass would go white, bark would be nearly black, as was water. Made for some trippy prints. I also took a portrait of my daughter in IR & hand-tinted it. Those were some good times!

[arlon]

The Nikon D70 I had converted by lifepixel (google them), the d100 I got already converted on ebay for about $400. The D70 was better but I still like the D100 too. I used Nikons because I had a bunch of old manual focus lenses and some of them were rated pretty well for IR work. No clue on the other brands.

google "Bjorn Rorslett", he's done a lot of lens evaluations and has comments on their IR worthiness on most of them. A most useful resource.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by mosgood

IR is best in the middle of the day with harsh lighting

Excellent.. So when other photographers are snoozing, IR photographers are out and about..

The link was to a D70 converted.. Might take a closer look, it's body only and I don't have any old lenses, but might be able to figure out where to put the red mark with trial and error.

Thanks guys.. I'll take a closer look.

[mosgood]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Excellent.. So when other photographers are snoozing, IR photographers are out and about..

The link was to a D70 converted.. Might take a closer look, it's body only and I don't have any old lenses, but might be able to figure out where to put the red mark with trial and error.

Thanks guys.. I'll take a closer look.

Jon, should be the same with digital as it was with film. I always handheld my old manual cameras when shooting. It worked quite nicely. I've done some in harsh daylight using my old KM 7D & an IR filter. Used a tripod, because I could only do it with long exposures. Got some ok shots from it, but would really love a converted camera now.

I would invest in some old lenses. Most have IR markings on them. You'll focus the lens & then move it to the red markings before taking the shot.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Excellent.. So when other photographers are snoozing, IR photographers are out and about..

The link was to a D70 converted.. Might take a closer look, it's body only and I don't have any old lenses, but might be able to figure out where to put the red mark with trial and error.

Thanks guys.. I'll take a closer look.

If you can get ahold of just a D70 body on the cheap, I have the Lifepixel filter for it if you want it. I bought my D70 converted, but went back stock. There are a few IR shots on my flickr stream if you want to check it out.

[Johninbigd]

I'm interested in trying out IR photography. I have a Canon 60D, which I believe has a filter inside that tries to filter out most of the IR light. If I use a tripod and an IR lens filter, would it be possible to get acceptable IR images on this if I use long exposures, or do you think the results wouldn't be worth the effort? I'm starting to think that to get truly good results, you need to get a converted body specifically for IR.