Ok - question here. Was checking out different IR filters on Amazon looking to buy one - problem I ran into - 720nm and 760mn was for indoor low light, 900nm and 950nm for outdoor bright light. Since 99% of my photography is outdoors I assume I get the 900nm or 950nm. Yet I know what assume can get you too. So........which nm are you guys using? AND - does anyone know how much difference there is between the indoor and outdoor nm? I'm really excited to start doing this and want to be on the right path in this adventure. Thanks

Good Morning Eric,
Well I did as you said, I took out UZI yesterday, handheld, (yes I was a non believer!) It was slightly breezy day, we went to a wildlife refuge on Merritt Island, Florida, we are fortunate to have foliage all year round, the palm fronds and mangroves seem to really respond to IR as do many other trees. I used the camera on the P setting only, (I will now make the changes you suggested that I read when I got home.)I now need to get a step up ring for this lens as I was hand holding it to the camera while shooting images. I may try masking tape today to hold it in place............? Anyway I am thrilled with the results. Thanks you so much. So here are some pictures. Comments, critique welcome.
Regards,
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida

Wow, now that's some enthusiastic feedback!

IR is a little more complicated for most cameras (especially DSLR's) than just slapping a filter on the end of your lens and shooting. A good IR filter, I recommend the Hoya R72, will run you about 50-100 bucks, depending on the filter size.

Most DSLR's have an internal 'hot mirror' or IR filter that greatly diminishes IR light from reaching the sensor. This results in seconds long exposures. Unfortunately DSLR's need to be modded, or altered (have the hot mirror removed), to be able to shoot IR handheld. After being modded they can shoot IR only, so it is a pretty big commitment.

Used IR modded camera bodies can be found on ebay. Page 2 of this thread has a post on how to check for IR sensitivity with your camera. Also be sure to check out the links in the very first post for more IR information.

There are several older P&S cameras (look back through the posts for a partial list), where all is needed is a filter, and a cheap filter from ebay would be the way to go for a P&S rig, but that is a pretty short list. That is the most economical way to try IR and see if it is right for you.

The purpose of this thread was to introduce IR to others and encourage them to try it. Like most things in life, it gets a little bit more complicated the more you find out, but Wendy in Cocoa FL just happened to have an IR sensitive P&S in her closet, and had just received an IR filter so she was good to go with minimal expense.

TraceyG had a DSLR gathering dust in her closet and sent it off to be modded, a bit more expensive than Wendy, but she has a DSLR IR rig now with interchangeable lenses.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I want to encourage you to investigate IR further and then start shooting IR yourself.

Any more questions and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

Eric

Due to massive popular demand (OK, one person suggested it), I thought I would open up an IR posting thread. If you have any IR pics or IR questions this will be your go to thread, hopefully.

For a brief overview of IR photography visit Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_photography

For some amazing work and a UH type forum on IR visit here:
http://irphotocom.proboards.com/index.cgi?

To post your own IR photos and questions visit this thread ;-).

I'll do my best to answer any questions about IR you have and if I can't answer them I'll direct you to a website that can.

Now then here's a few IR photos of mine, I'd love to see some of yours.

Looking forward to your posts,

Eric

Hello again Eric, I, and I am sure many others appreciate the time you are spending on this subject. Thank you so much.
Well, an update from Cocoa Florida. I decided to attach the big IR lens to my little UZI who fortunately has all of his moving parts inside. My husband and I taped very glamorous bright green automotive masking tape to the end of his 'snout' to the camera that is and not the husband! Yes it worked and the lens is now attached, I do not have to hand hold the lens but have amazing results hand holding the camera! I followed the advice you kindly gave me. I have been out each day and have taken many pictures of water and foliage, plenty of that here. But it was suggested buildings and I was ready for a change. Today I went out and I am attaching three pictures, again please for critique and comments. That little old UZI is amazing, sky noise, almost gone!
Thank you Eric
Regards,
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida