FinePix 1300, Hoya R72
Right now, this is just a collection of research I've done on the topic. I have a Canon PowerShot G1, so this information is tilted mostly in that direction.
| Filter | Wratten | Effect | Wavelength | Price |
| B+W 092 | 89b | low? | 650nm | mid |
| Heliopan RG 715 | 88a | ? | 715nm? | ? |
| Hoya R72 | ? | low | 720nm | budget |
| Tiffen #87 | 87? | mid | 800nm | mid |
| B+W 093 | 87c | high | 850nm | mid |
| Hoya RM-90 | ? | high? | 900nm | very expensive |
Not sure about the effect of these: B+W 099 (12) (orange special effect filter, budget)
The Hoya R72 is the perfect starter IR filter. Low cost and works fine with the G1 and many other digicams.
I've found the best approach to shooting and processing IR images with the G1 is to go for the green channel. The green channel tends to have the maximum IR effect, and is the sharpest. Set the camera to daylight white balance mode, and it will expose for the green channel primarily. You might actually need to overexpose a bit more too (bracket and experiment to get a feel for what's really needed). The LCD preview will look like a horribly blown out red. That's ok, because it's only the green channel that we are worried about.
Pull the image into Photoshop, and split the channels. Look carefully at the green channel. If you exposed it enough, it will look really smooth and have the most IR effect. The red channel will look terrible and be almost totally blown out. The blue channel is usually too noisy to use.
If you want more colorful results, shoot with Average White Balance mode, and bracket exposures. You should get a pleasing mixed magenta/cyan image. This effect is even more intense than going for the green channel.
Usually IR photography subjects are landscapes. Don't forget to try and shoot for f/8 to maximize depth of focus (DOF). Of course, most digicams already have very deep DOF. This will give long exposure times so be sure to have a tripod, remote shutter release (or use the timer), and a calm day handy.
I shot the following using my little Fuji FinePix 1300 and the Hoya R72 filter. The wind was blowing a bit, so portions of the trees are blurred in this 1/2 second exposure.
|
FinePix 1300, Hoya R72 |
The following shot was done with the Canon G1 and the Hoya R72 filter.
 Canon G1, Hoya R72 |
<- Go Back to my Photography page.
Copyright ©2001, Ted Felix