Questions reguarding infrared film...

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Hello once more, and good evening to all. I am curious about infrared film. I have seen examples of prints in books, but have not found any real info on this.... Where on earth can one buy infrared film? Do you need any special equipment such as filters or a special lens? Where can you get the film processed and printed? Does the film or processing cost an arm and a leg? Thanks in advance for you time and answers! ~Evan

-- Evan Ryan (evanryan@novagate.com), November 12, 1999

Answers

Evan, I have been thinking of trying this stuff too, but haven't done it yet. This is what I've found out,and maybe it will help you get started. First, I got a book called 'Applied Infared Photography'. It is a Kodak book (M-28)that was printed in about 1980. I found mine on eBay, but your public library might have a copy. It goes into A LOT of detail about IR photography. If you have a REAL camera shop in your area, they might have the film. You probably will need special filters, but regular lenses work. On manual focus lenses, you focus on the object, and then change the focus to the red line on the lens. I guess that autofocus wouldn't work. I don't know about processing. Yes, the film is expensive. There is an outdated roll for sale at my camera shop, and I think it is about twice as much as a fresh roll of Kodak Royal Gold film. Good luck!! Kirby

-- Kirby Chilton (kirbyc@prodigy.net), November 13, 1999.

Thanks Kirby! There is SO much to learn on this topic! Any one else have any info or advise? :) Thanks in advance..... ~Evan

-- Evan Ryan (evanryan@novagate.com), November 13, 1999.

There is also a book by Laurie White on IR Photography.

There are several IR films. Kodak makes two, Konica makes one, and Ilford makes a semi IR film. The two Kodak ones are the HIR (High Speed IR) which is B&W and the EIR which is color slide.

The Konica film an IR film, but with not as much IR range as the Kodak HIR. The Ilford SX200 (or something like that) is really a film with just an extended red sensitivity.

Basically for the B&W films, you need a deep red filter, like a #29 or darker. You MUST load the film in complete darkness. Also once you have it in the container, don't take it to your normal mini lab. They will immediately take it out of the container and possibly mess it up.

IR films do not have an anti-halation dye, so the light can "pipe" in through the leader.

For the EIR color IR film, you use various lighter filters to give the IR false color look.

The stuff IS expensive but a lot of fun.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), November 15, 1999.


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