Am new to "infrared" photography & wanted to know how I can obtain the most "dramatic" results from using infrared film. What brand "specifically" gives the most dramatic results?

Tried one brand,(Illford SX..brand), but my photos were just contrasty. I did use a red#26 filter while taking my photos, but they were not dramatically different the way I had envisioned them to be and have seen other people achieve better results.

Could someone suggest another "brand" & any other tips for me using this type of film? Thank you & your assistance is most appreciated!

Best regards, Elena

-- Elena Trujillo-Spice (Elena@nuvophoto.com), March 07, 2000

Answers

You can try Kodak HIE if it's available there. Ilford SFX is not a true infrared film - it is sensitive only upto 740nm. Kodak's HIE is sensitive to 900nm. You will get good results with a #25A red filter. If you use an opaque infrared filter like an 89A, 87 or 87C, then you'll be capturing only infrared wavelengths.

You can focus through the red filter, but if you are using the opaque filters you will need to prefocus, meter the scene, put on the filter and then take the shot. More details at Kodak's web page.

-- Sriram (r_sriram@bigfoot.com), March 07, 2000.

The effect on Ilford SFX 200 with #25 filter is rather weak, so I use a #29 filter (actually a B&W 091). Works fine in summer with plenty of infrared. (Agfa APX 200S is pretty close)

Konica 750 is a slow fine grain film, works well with #25. Available as 135-24 and 120. Sometimes hard to find.

Kodak was mentioned above.

Wolfram

-- Wolfram Kollig (kollig@ipfdd.de), March 07, 2000.

Kodak High Speed Infrared is what you're looking for. Beware two things: 1) the film MUST be loaded into the camera in total darkness (a changing bag will do); 2) the film is VERY grainy. I would suggest a trial ISO of about 125 with a 25A filter.

http://www.ravenvision.com/peterhughes.htm

-- Peter Hughes (leo948@yahoo.com), March 07, 2000.

Kodak HIE is the way to go. The film can be contrasty and grainy depending on how it is shot and developed. If you are looking for more dramatic shots use a #29 red filter. A good starting point is ISO 200 in full sun f11@ 125 then bracket+/- one stop. As far as developing the the film, Rodinal will be the grainist while D76 and Xtol will give you finer grain. This is a great film to experiment with and a lot of fun to use.

-- Larry Mankin (mankin.larry@epamail.epa,gov), March 27, 2000.