34 Comments
User's avatar
Lin Gregory's avatar

It's interesting to see the effects of infrared film compared to that of digital cameras converted for IR...the film is much more subtle. I do like that tenth image, it's got a very gentle glow about it giving a more mystical feel.

perfectlight's avatar

thank you! at some stage i will use an infrared film (still have some sfx) with a proper infrared filter and compare the results. what i don't like about the infrared filter is that i have to use a tripod 😁

Lin Gregory's avatar

I can understand that, my tripod hasn't been out with me for a looooong time, I'm all for lightening the load.😊

Flavio Massignan's avatar

The near infrared (NIR) is a specific part of the electromagnetic spectrum (from 780nm to 2500nm). I didn't know that it is possible to take photos out of the visible part of the spectrum, and I don't understand what you can see since it is not visible.

perfectlight's avatar

the way it's working with photography is like this: use an infrared sensitive film, have the camera on a tripod, compose the image and focus, dial in the settings (the lens will be "closed" a few stops), add the infrared filter and take the shot.

yes, you cannot see through the filter but the image is recorded.

with a "normal" red filter (600nm) it is possible to see through the viewfinder/lens combination.

Crina Prida's avatar

ador poza cu casa - cer prea mult să-mi trimiți un fișier să fac un A4 s-o am? Dau la schimb orice print, desigur dacă îți place ceva de la mine.

perfectlight's avatar

ooo, o sa fie o placere! casa respectiva este de fapt o biserica in mijlocul unui lac. o sa scanez filmu' la o rezolutie mai mare ca sa poti printa si ti-o trimit.

Crina Prida's avatar

Cool, mulțam fain!

nik's avatar

My understanding is that SFX is not a true IR film but one that has extended sensitivity hence why unfiltered images look like any black and white film.

perfectlight's avatar

you are right about the sensitivity of sfx but did you try to shoot an infrared film without an infrared filter? what did you get?

Paul Jenkin's avatar

SFX isn't a true infra-red film, it just has extended red sensitivity. It gives an infrared "look" but not to the extent of true infrared films. Leica has, fairly recently, introduced "Monopan 50" which, supposedly, also has extended red sensitivity but not, as far as I know, to the same extent as SFX - and it certainly isn't an infrared film. I couldn't get any when it first appeared but the common belief is that it's actually Adox HR50. Here's a link to the technical stuff: https://www.adox.de/hr50-en/ This might be another option worth testing. I have a couple of rolls and will be using it sometime this summer.....

perfectlight's avatar

looking forward to see the results. i've used rollei's infrared in the past but i bought a bunch of sfx about 2 years ago as i got a great deal on them. now that i have them, i will experiment whatever i can

Paul Jenkin's avatar

I've not had a great experience with film-based IR and it's been a long time since I've tried it. These days, I have a 720nM converted Fujifilm X-T20 which is excellent. However, I will have a go with the Adox HR50 and see what happens...

Bosquet's avatar

Hola , Hermosas Fotografías. Tengo Debilidad Por Los Bosques Y Los Árboles. Un Saludo.

perfectlight's avatar

hola, amigo! gracias!

Crina Prida's avatar

băi nene, de trei ori mi-au respins comentariul de mulțumire, apoi le-au băgat la lopată (zic ca să știi de ce le-am șters pe alea duplicate.

perfectlight's avatar

stai linistita ca azi toata lumea are probleme cu substack! de fiecare data cand produc o "varianta noua" dau tot peste cap

Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

That vertical forest path and the light on the tree is a beautiful photograph. I kept going back to it!

Manuela Thames's avatar

Very nice images! To me, most of them look like normal B&W film, but some of them have an infrared (ish) quality to it. However, I am not an infrared expert.

Framing-the-Story's avatar

Awesome photos. Especially the house on the lake and the road with the bent tree. I need to get back to analog shooting, even if it sends me to the poorhouse.

perfectlight's avatar

thank you! the house on the lake is actually a small church with lots of significance for the worshipers.

the road with trees is just a walk in the park. take it easy with the film photos and it won't break the bank, trust me. i'm here if you need help.

Framing-the-Story's avatar

I appreciate it!

Ralph Turner's avatar

I must admit I've never tried SFX (one of many I've yet to play with) but it gives the images taken in bright sunlight particularly a certain subtle glow that's rather appealing, most noticeable in frames 5 to 12.

perfectlight's avatar

thank you! you have to try it, have to. and use a red filter when you do it, you won't regret it

Charles West's avatar

"Near infrared" is an industry term that based on application. There is near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), and far infrared (FIR). Both the Washi and SFX films are NIR films. At 700 nm wavelength on the spectrum, the light is no longer visible. True IR film has to be loaded and unloaded in complete darkness. There is no agreed upon science standard for the IR spectral range, but most industries have decided that IR begins around 780 nm. The chips used in digital cameras are highly sensitive to IR which is usually filtered out. Some third parties offer services to modify digital cameras by removing the IR filter in order to exclusively take IR images. As for how to use NIR films, I leave it up to you to do more research to discover that, but one hint is that you're barking up the wrong tree with regards to your subject matter.

perfectlight's avatar

thank you! your input is very detailed.

for the sake of experimenting, i'll keep barking

Kevin Hansen's avatar

He should take a picture of the bark of a different kind of tree?

John Charlton's avatar

The photo of the church is very attractive.

Juliette Mansour's avatar

How interesting... I've never shot infrared, actually. Never been drawn to it, but this is really cool! Thanks for teaching me something new!

perfectlight's avatar

you are very welcome! i'm happy to hear that you find it interesting

Susanne Helmert's avatar

They look like regular b&w to me, but reading a few comments it sounds like that is normal with that kind of film… But they look good nonetheless!