IR filter questions

tambola

i need some help understanding something about IR photography. I had someone explain to me that I can use my dslr and a "black" IR filter (87) to make an IR image. So I tried it; i was shooting 6 second exposures on an overcast day, but they looked like IR to me. The gelatin filter was borrowed and in really bad shape so I was getting spots/circles all over my image, ICK. So I decided to buy an 87 filter, in hopes that I could get some decent images with a new filter, but the guy at the camera store told me that you can't get IR with a digital camera unless you get it "modified". I am sort of familiar with that; I am not looking to alter my camera, I just want to know if the filter works? Or since I'm fairly new to it I confess, I haven't got a clue. Both people seem to be knowledgable, but they are giving me conflicting info. What's the real scoop?
Thanks so much!

ian408

What you get with a mod'ed camera is the ability to preview the shot
and shoot in any of the camera's modes. Once you do it, it's done and it will
only shoot IR.

With the filter, you will have to get your shot set up. Calculate exposure and
then put the filter on the camera. It means slow shutter speeds and the need
to use a tripod but it will work.

If you shoot a lot of IR, there is an advantage to the mod'ed camera. A mod'ed
camera will also keep your shutter speeds high.

Joves

Well if you happen to have an extra digital camera laying around the go here and, see if they can modify what you have.
http://www.lifepixel.com/
I have only shot IR back in my film days and, havent even thought of it in digital.

tambola

thanks for the info. I don't mind setting up and long exposures for the rare occasions that i shoot IR. I just want my own filter, one that isn't crap....and I was confused when the sales man said you can't shoot ir with a dslr and a filter. Maybe he was wrong?
thanks so much!

ziggy53

Ian told you the straight truth, you "can" shoot IR with a strong IR filter on a non-converted dSLR. Yes, the exposure times will be pretty long. Yes, you will need to adjust the focus fairly blindly, until you develope a strategy to offset from the standard focus.

Not all lenses are going to be suited to the process and some will give a strong hot spot in the middle. That would be true whether the camera is converted or not.

Be patient with the process and be relentless to the procedure and you will prevail.

tambola

ziggy53 wrote:

Ian told you the straight truth, you "can" shoot IR with a strong IR filter on a non-converted dSLR. Yes, the exposure times will be pretty long. Yes, you will need to adjust the focus fairly blindly, until you develope a strategy to offset from the standard focus.

Not all lenses are going to be suited to the process and some will give a strong hot spot in the middle. That would be true whether the camera is converted or not.

Be patient with the process and be relentless to the procedure and you will prevail.

thanks so much for the help, but now I feel intimidated. :-) how can i tell what lens will be best suited for IR of the ones I have? is there a way to know? i want to order the filter, and I need to decide which lens to get it for. Thank you so much for your help!

ziggy53

I chose a different method of doing IR, so I have no first person experience regarding lenses. In my research relating to what I "would" have done, had I gone the same route as yourself, I found these links (Canon lenses is what i was interested in):

http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/digital_ir/digital_ir.html
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38272


A quick Google for Nikon turned up this:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/55027594@N00/discuss/72157601627764356/
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Iutm
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DhTS

tambola

ziggy53 wrote:

I chose a different method of doing IR, so I have no first person experience regarding lenses. In my research relating to what I "would" have done, had I gone the same route as yourself, I found these links (Canon lenses is what i was interested in):

http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/digital_ir/digital_ir.html
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38272


A quick Google for Nikon turned up this:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/55027594@N00/discuss/72157601627764356/
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Iutm
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DhTS

thank you again for the info. (I guess I didn't know what I was searching for.) this is very helpful!:D