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I've recently started to make infrared photos with my unmodified Nikon D70 camera equipped with a very reasonably priced Hoya R72 720nm IR filter and I would like to hear from others on this subject. My results so far are quite stunning and I like the otherworldly, dreamlike results. I use RAW, 200 ISO, autofocus, auto white balance and aperture priority.
I keep the IR filter on my lens when composing. The viewfinder is unusable since almost no visible light is transmitted through the IR filter. I temporarily increase the ISO to 1600 to get a reasonably fast shutter speed. I then use throw-away shots to play with the composition until I like what I see on the LCD. I delete these throw-away shots right away; only two easy presses of the delete button on the D70. Before I take my real shots, I set the ISO back to 200.
In the Photoshop RAW converter I tweak Exposure and Shadows to make sure no RGB information is lost (green and blue, although weak, contribute mightily to the image's definition and detail). I then apply Desaturate, Levels, Curves and Unsharp. I may use sepia toning on some images.
I found sofar that botanical gardens, parks with water areas, old or interesting buildings, forests, woodlands, creeks, small rivers and homes near water work really well. Internet articles and the book Digital Infrared Photography by Patrick Rice, published by Amherst Media have been really helpful to get me started.
I like to get from you:
- Inputs, comments, suggestions and questions
- Suggestions for other good books on the subject
- Your results with IR filters, including other-than-720nm filters and how they compare with 720nm filters
Forums
Note to George. Can you enable UBB Code for this forum (actually all forums) so I can post an example.
I've tested the D70 for infrared and have achieved some success in my test pictures. Part of the issue is knowing how to process the file in Photoshop because you may be getting better results than you think you are. I have a few infrared photos in my D70 section:
http://www.bermangraphics.com/digicam/d70-infrared.htm
In response to Larry Berman
Hi Larry,
I understand you use an 88A IR filter, which has a slightly higher cutt-of wavelength, 750nm versus my R72, 720nm IR filter. Have you used IR filters with different cut-off wavelengths and if so, how did the results compare? I'll keep looking at your website for more IR examples.
On the subject of composing, you may want to reread my initial posting. I keep the IR filter on and use the LCD for composing. This method allows me to compose and take multiple shots without having to take the filter on and off. I recommend you try this method; it works really well for me. Maybe you can tell about your experiences on this forum. I use a Hoodman (www.hoodmanusa.com) clip-on hood for my D70 and it does a good job of reducing the wash-out by the ambient light. It folds up neatly against the camera back when not in use.
I have attached a sample of what I feel are typical results for my set-up. I could email you more if you are interested.
Regards, Frans Waterlander
Hi Frans, That's the only filter I have. I test every camera I get for infrared sensitivity. I do shoot a lot of infrared but it's with my older CoolPix 950 because I sell those photographs regularly.
The way you compose and shoot may work for you but I find that I need more control and want to see the image in the viewfinder as I compose, like I do on the LCD with the 950. Because the image is on LCD is only after it's been taken, you might want to look into using the Xtend-a-View magnified LCD viewfinder. I find that just a hood is worthless because I have to move my head too far back to see. The Xtend-a-View lets me rest my eye on it and see a magnified view of the image and menu settings:
http://PhotoSolve.com
I'll be saving up to get an IR camera from this place
http://maxmax.com/aXRayOrderIRCamera.asp
Does anyone know if the Fuji S5100 is IR capable?
The only way someone would know would be to own the camera and have already tried to shoot infrared. But what you could do is to try the camera at a local store and hold an infrared filter in front of the lens and see if an image is visible on the LCD.
Quote:
Does anyone know if the Fuji S5100 is IR capable?
The s5100 is called the s5500 over here, don't think there are any other diffs apart from the name, My s5500 takes lovely IR pix through a hoya IR filter.
HTH
Frans,
I just sent you an email about how can I send photo attachents in order for them to be seen on the forum.
One note: I can see the IR shot I'm about to take thru the EVF and the LCD with the Dimage 7. Thats one of the reasons why I bought it. I don't know how far I'll go with IR, but I'll give it a try.
grumpy31....
Hello all,
Another, very easy way to test for IR sensitivity is to darken the room and point a TV remote at the camera and either look at the LCD, or take a shot if it's a DSLR. I use my D70 and D100 for my occasional IR shots, with a Cokin 007 (89B). Works fine for me, but I got a taste of full time IR this summer at a workshop with George Lepp. He has a number of converted Canon D60's which are full-time IR now, and don't require filters in front of the lenses. Shutter speeds of 1/45 - 1/60 in noon light with low ISOs are very easily done. Those cameras were converted by the folks @ irdigital.net. Hope this sheds some (IR) light!
Let me add: You don't need the filter to detect the light from the TV remote, but you do have to press a button 
One other thing: the monochrome function of the D60's play well with IR. It saves converting to monochrome in Photoshop, although there is a slight pinkish tinge to the images which can quickly be desaturated w/o changing the image quality overall.
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