Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Years ago, my trusty Canon EOS Rebel 2000 embarked on a new experience. I bought a roll of Infrared film. The results were piss-poor to mediocre. In a word, I was not greatly satisfied with my results. Granted, I was a newbie (still am) and it’s easy to see that photography was more of a deep effort for me.

I am interested in a new generation of infrared photography. Should I take a plunge? Should I pick up a few rolls of infrared Film? Dust off the old film camera. See if it wants to cooperate. Or, should I pick up a modified camera? I don’t want to break the bank. Besides, my wife isn’t so fond anymore of the sentence, “….just one more camera, honey!”

Does anyone have any infrared photo book recommendations?
Does anyone have any film recommendations?
Does anyone have any digital camera recommendations?

I hope that I can stay afloat a little bit in this new plunge!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I propose a better approach:

1, Assure you have quality digital editing software for processing infrared RAW digital files.

2, Shop for an IR converted, older, full-frame Canon model (or cropped).

3, If absolutely necessary, purchase a used 5DII and pay to have this body IR converted.

Shoot and process digital IR images using your existing stable of EF lenses. Personally, when the day comes to retire my pair of EOS 5DIII bodies, one will be sold and the other (the one likely with more visual external wear) will be IR converted.

Regarding software, there's plenty of examples on 'how to' edit on the internet. Just google 'infrared digital editing'. Add 'video' or 'utube' to get video examples. What I've seen a lot of is the need for crazy WB adjustments, where RAW is needed and a professional grade tool like Lightroom.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Thanks, Paul! Your approach is very sensible and gradually allows me to explore this new media. By the way, are there any good books to guide me? You could stay in NYC for a few months to mentor me!!

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

Go to Kolari Vision and LifePixel. Their websites have all the info you will need.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

My digital camera recommendation is to convert a good zoom Point-N-Shoot camera to IR by Life Pixel which is what I did. No 'hot spot' issues (which you will learn about from LifePixel). And easy to throw in your camera bag or pocket and always have with you as a second camera. BTW, having a 'bigger and better' camera is lost on the fact that IR degrades image performance in general anyway. And why mess around with interchangeable lenses when it is the color effect you want anyway?

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Were you shooting color or B&W IR film? What type of filter were you using? I don't believe anyone makes color IR film any more. I shot B&W IR film back in the day, and it had several drawbacks. The film had to be loaded into the camera in the dark or with a changing bag. The recommended dark red filter had about a 3 stop exposure factor, and was very difficult to view and focus through, which made for long exposures. But the B&W IR film had a certain look to it that I don't see with B&W digital IR. That's why I decided to work with color digital IR, which gives you much more control over the color than color IR film did. I have had three cameras now converted by Lifepixel, and would highly recommend them. Their website has a wealth of info on digital IR, including camera recommendations.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I believe it was in Black and White. I don’t know if I loaded the roll in a dark closet or in regular daylight. In either case, it was a poor attempt for a beginning photographer. I am spending some well earned rest time to research this venture. I have reviewed LIFEPIXEL and decided that they know what they are doing and are reputable. I choose to buy a converted model rather than take an one of my cameras and convert it. As for GAS, I have taken into account and informed my wife. She just says, “take your pill!” I don’t intend on breaking the bank either.

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

I went full spectrum at Kolari and am completely satisfied.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

If you google "Rob Shea youtube" you will find a tremendous amount of information on IR imagimg.

My advice is to shoot in RAW since much of IR processing involves finding the right white balance. With JPEG, the white balance is rather baked in.

And second, use a mirrorless camera since it handles auto focus much better in IR light than a modified DSLR. I have one of each converted, and the mirrorless is the only one that gets used, and I can use any lens that fits the camera. But you also need to be aware of which lenses may have hot spots in IR light.

I chose full spectrum since my interests are broad and I can pick which filter I want to use. If you pick a point and shoot, make sure you can use filters with it.

And I buy the cheap Chinese filters on eBay, and find no problems with them. This allows me to afford many filters in various colors/wavelengths and in different sizes to accommodate different lenses.

I also have lots of fun using many older, manual focusing, legacy lenses. These are manual lenses, but they are so easy to focus, and the old coatings don't seem to lead to hot spots.

The camera I use is an Olympus EM5ii modified for full spectrum IR.. And 90% of the time, I use the cheap kit lens 14-42mm. It is small, and easy to carry. Even if using another camera, I can find room to carry this camera too.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Check Rob Shea's site, he has a lot of info on IR.

A mirrorless camera is better for IR. With a DSLR, you have to have the camera celebrated with the body, with a mirrorless you can use any lens.

Isaac Szabo, isaac@isaacszabo.com

He did my conversions after someone from here recommended him. He is good. I got my first camera converted to 720nm because someone told me that was the best.

I got my second camera converted to 590nm because that is the best.

The white balance that you should use is grass in full sun. Rob Shewa has actions that change the white balance to what it is supposed to be. That is why you should shoot in RAW.