That's really sweet! Does the Dimage have an infrared setting? Or do you use a filter? Or something else I haven't thought of yet? I've got to admit that the whole thing looks intriguing.

-Chip

Chip,

Wow!...yours was the fastest reply I've ever gotten.
As I said in my post, I've just started doing IR, and I totally agree with you that's
its "intriguing", totally, and completely!!...

BUT, if you like the IR photo I took, I can't really take much credit for that,
since, it was the Dimage 7 that did it all. Of course, the Hoya R72 takes a lot of the credit also.

That shot you saw was one of the very first I took, and it was "handheld", which I find also very interesting. I started doing IR about two weeks ago.

As far as I'm concerned, the Minolta Dimage 7 is very "IR friendly"...
What I mean is that when you look thru the EVF or LCD, you can "SEE" what the hell your about to photograph. And, that's not always the case with other IR capable cameras.

On other IR cameras, you have to compose the shot, focus, and THEN put on the filter. Not so with the D7...

AND, previous to purchasing the D7, I surfed the web continually to see what IR images I liked best, and sure enough, the D7 almost always came out ahead.

Of couse, there are "professionals" who put their IR shots thru Photoshop and really perfect the IR shot. But, that's not for me, since it really takes a ton of time to do so.

I just do a bit of very slight editing with my Apple computer program, and what you see is what I got....

I feel strange giving advice on a subject that so new to me, but listen up..

If your serious about IR photography, I'd most surely get a Minolta Dimage 7,
and put a Hoya R72 filter on it.....Thats it........and its about all of it...

The Minolta Dimage 7 is rather impossible to find, even on the internet, since it was first made in 2001, and is discontinued. The only place I'm aware of is eBay...they usually have a few for sale.

But, other than ebay, its tough to find one. But that's my advice.
And, that's exactly what I did.

I've enclosed an attachment IR shot I took last week. Its on the dark side, but I liked what I saw in the viewfinder, and shot it.

Good luck...

grumpy31

Grumpy31,

Good to see that your camera has been repaired. I like the shots you posted. I agree that composing and then having to add the IR filter is a pain in the neck for me, but I love the results.

Keep on shooting IR and I'm sure, pretty soon you wonder how you ever made it without.

Frans Waterlander
frans2001@netzero.net

Frans,

I was about to get the D7 repaired, but was told by a professional photographer that nothing was wrong with the camera, its just a bit on the SLOW side, and that all.

And, not only did he say the camera was okay, but that Konica Minolta would charge about $200 for just LOOKING AT IT!.......nuff said ......

If this camera didn't take superb IR shots, I would have returned it right away... the D7 is four (4) years old, and I'm realizing at this late age, that
in digital terms, its close to being an "antique"...

When I first got the D7, I was taken aback by the fact that it appeared to be "new".. and yet, it was listed as E+ (excellent plus) from Adorama who I purchased it from.

I somehow suspect that the person who originally had this camera got so fed
up with its "sluggishness", that he must have sent it back, and I ended up with it.

But, when you put a R72 filter on it, then this "sluggish snail" seems to turn
into a infrared beast, well, you know what I'm saying.....

I guess infrared makes the D7 come alive for as long as the R72 is on....
But, I have no plans to use it for the dvd slideshows I do.
Example: For this past Thanksgiving dinner, I took a ton of shots with my
Canon Rebel XT, with no flash and using the Canon 50mm 1.4 lense.
Of the two hundred shots, I kept 95 of which were the best, and made an interesting movie slideshow which I burnt onto a dvd.

The Canon XT can't do IR, which is interesting because I find that IR is where I'm surely headed for, and this miserable and most glorious D7 seems to be a "phenomenom" with all its super magic powers.

I saw your lovely IR picture of the house by the river, and immediately wanted to dive into the water, and then go kayaking.

Good to talk to you Frans....

Sal (grumpy31) Pedi

The Canon XT can't do IR? I'm still new at this so please forgive my ignorance, but why wouldn't the XT or any image capture device capable of receiving an R72 filter not work? I can well believe that the D7 is far superior, but is there some technical glitch which makes IR impossible with an XT?

Now that summer is finally waning here in Florida, it's time to head back outside for some longer shoots. This will be my first winter with the XT and I'm really looking forward to it.

-Chip

Manufacturers put in a glass filter (I think it's called hot glass) that blocks infrared so they can get more accurate colors. Nikon started doing that with the CoolPix 990, which had far less infrared sensitivity than the CoolPix 950. That's why different cameras have different sensitivity to infrared. Of all the CoolPix cameras, the 2 megapixel 950 is still them most desireable for shooting infrared. I have three of them that I use for my two color infrared web sites.

Sal,

Are you sure the Canon Rebel XT can't do IR? I would think it would have some sensitivity, may not much but still some. Have you tried it on a tripod and autoexposure and lens fully open? I know that my Nikon D70 has a pretty darn good hot mirror filter to suppress IR, but it still works fine with the Hoya IR filter; I just need to accept the relatively long exposure times. I need to stay away from using the highest aperture values (smallest opening) anyway because otherwise diffraction at the small opening of the aperture causes a LOT of unsharpness; with IR this phenomenon is much worse than for visible light photography.

Frans Waterlander
frans2001@netzero.net

Frans,

I've checked out the IR possibility with the Canon XT. I've pointed a tv remote
towards the XT lense, and there's no reaction whatsoever.

As for putting a Hoya R72 onto the XT, I can only suspect that if the camera is not responsive to the tv remote test, it probably won't work.

And, I'd have to purchase another R72 since both camera's have diffirent
lense sizes.

You mention you have the Nikon D70.....I almost bought one, but due to its higher price, I settled for the XT.

When I was out today, I had hoped to take some IR shots, but the weather
was dark and dismal, so I'll try on the next sunny day.

Although, a few days ago, it was rather cloudy with sun, and the IR shots
came out okay. So, even though a sunny day is best, a half sunny day could
work if your lucky enough to be at the right angle for the R72 to accept it...

You mentioned that you must use a small aperture.To the contrary, I so far, have been using 2.8, and 3.5, and always with an 100 ISO . And, as for shutter speeds, I just keep turning the dial until I settle for a medium, light, or darker image in the EVF, and then I take the shot.

Don't know if I mentioned it, but, I previously was anti-tripod, but this IR stuff has turned me into a tripod totin' Senior. And, I definitley use a remote shutter cable for the slower shutter speed shots.

Presently, I find it difficult to find good locations in which to shoot IR.
This is not the best time of the year here in the East to find IR friendly subjects.

I mean, the old stuff like farms, barns, I was considering even cemetarys, but I have to think about that one...

As I drive around the countryside, I always scan the scenery for something that I think will do well with IR.... And, I keep looking....

Sal Pedi

Well I'm intrigued enough to get the 58mm R72 for my own XT; I'll let you know how it works.

I'd think that cemetaries should offer excellent IR opportunities. The stones and the grass would have different heating/cooling rates which would probably be quite dynamic as the day progressed. I often spend time with the camera up at the Florida National Cemetary in Bushnell; it's a lovely place. Wish I had a pic handy which I could post.

-Chip

Sal,

While the tv remote is a good first test, I wouldn't assume that your XT is not sensitive to IR until you try it out with an IR filter. If your IR filter is smaller than what you need for the XT, try taping it in place carefully. Then you will be able to make a test shot to be sure. If the filter is larger you can also tape it to your XT temporarily and if it works you can buy very reasonable price adapter rings; mine cost about $8.

In terms of aperture, for IR I use a small f number/aperture more open to keep exposure times reasonable although I alway need a tripod. IF you use a higher f stop/aperture more closed, then exposure times go up considerable AND difraction causes very noticeable unsharpness, more so than with color photos. I use ISO 200, the lowest setting on my D70 to keep noise/grain to a minimum.

I have been shooting IR at a couple of pioneer cemeteries in the Portland, Oregon area. I don't think this is disrespectful, as long as you behave decently. I attached a shot of a headstone for two sisters dedicated by their husbands; quite stirring for the soul. It was shocking to see how young people died in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Enjoy the infrared adventure!

Frans Waterlander
frans2001@netzero.net

Better suggestion for a place to shoot infrared is at Hillsborough State Park, along the river or in the swamps. The sky and water will be (relatively) cold but there is plenty of vegetation to reflect infrared.

Glenn

I sure would like to hear how the IR comes out with your XT test... I have an xt and would love to try - please post!

thanks
jen

I am new here today, but have been taking IR pictures for a while. I have noticed that most people seem to use the Hoya 72 filter. I was just woundering why?

I have always used the Tiffen 87 filter which passes less day light and have always been happy with it. I will see if I can attach an example.

There is the cost issue: the 67mm Hoya costs about $81 and the Tiffen of the same size costs about $128. Then there is the issue of exposure time: the Tiffen should give more of the infrared effect at the expense of longer exposure times at the same aperture.
I've been quite happy with the Hoya results on my Nikon D70.

Frans Waterlander
pixographer

Grumpy,

Don't let a cloudy day keep you from shooting IR, This picture was taken on a very overcast day (hence the lack of definition in the clouds)with my D100 and R72 and as you can see it came out pretty well. This was shot with a 50mm @ 2.5sec F14 ISO 800. I did edit it in PS but just used remove color cast and some tweaking with the levels.

Mike

www.sandfleaphotography.com

Try calling Harrison and Harrison for infrared filters. They supplied us with the fiters we used for the Shutterbug article a few years ago.

Their phone number is 559-782-0121

OK - I guess I never thought about the cost of the filters. A couple of years ago at a local garden I saw a display of IR pictures that included technique and he was using the Tiffen. I actually paid $90 for a 72mm Tiffen 87. It must have been old stock.

I never looked at the long exposure time as an expense. I always use a tripod anyway, and leave the long exposure noise reduction turned on in the D70. I find the results of this filter and long exposure closer to what you would get with IR film.

I have never used any other IR filter than the Hoya 72. I should look into this more and see if I want to invest in deeper IR filters like your Tiffen 87. First I need to get my IR book back from my son so I can refresh my mind about what filters are available and their characteristics.

Frans Waterlander
pixographer

I use my xt with a Hoya R72 filter and it works great for IR. I will try and post a photo from my xt(this is my first post, not sure if I know how yet) If I do figure it out, the image is slightly sepia toned. I like the warm effect. I have never tried the TV remote test on my xt. I thought that it only worked on cameras that had electronic (real time view) screens anyway. I have a Minolta G500 that takes great IR also. The remote test works on my G500.

Great shot! I particularly love the reflection of the trees in the water.

/.~etee

I have a vintage D7 and love it for regular and IR work. I use the manual focus ring to speed up the focus. I have the 123 firmware up date, but not the 7ug up grade. I am thinking about removing the IR cut filter from my D7 to enhance the look of IR.
Image below hand held, Minolta D7, Hoya r72 filter color mode.
f3.4, 1/6th shutter speed. Slight super smooth plug in used.

Just for conversation, I'll note that I take color shots using my Olympus and a Hoya infrared filter, then use post-processing in Photoshop to get to the traditional black and white infrared look that we most often see.

Examples:
http://www.visualrealia.com/

In the search box on the main page, type in infrared and you'll get to a listing of various examples. "White Day" is one of my favorites.

Do a lot of experimenting in terms of exposure.

Have fun!

Andy