Posted by Steve Sieren on October 21, 2009 at 12:01 AM
I have an IR filter but most of the time when I use it on the 5D or M2 it just doesn't work. Every now and then I get something usable. Anyway, I like the tones but maybe it still needs a punch in the some of the lights?
Santa Monica Mountain Wilderness
Anyone ever try the IR filter. I mostly get too much noise or some kind wierd effects like odd lightening in the middle of the picture or horizontal lightening on the part of the bottom.
Posted by Craig Myers on October 21, 2009 at 3:13 AM
I'm no expert on IR, but I recently read somewhere (it might have been on the LifePixel website) that this light patch or band phenomena is not uncommon when using IR filters. I think it is attributed to how the light passes through the combination of the IR filter and certain convex lenses.
Posted by Cory Freeman on October 21, 2009 at 8:56 AM
I haven't tried any filters but have been playing w/ this effect lately in PS, which seems to work pretty well.
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 21, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Thanks Craig and Cory.
Craig, I'll have to take a look at that.
Cory, you have just given me an idea. Maybe using an IR plug in this already IR image will really make it pop.
Posted by Cory Freeman on October 21, 2009 at 8:21 PM
haven't tried any plug-ins, which I'm sure would do the trick quickly, but I've just been using channel mixer. might want to try the following in channel mixer: R=-50, G=200, B=-50. if that doesn't work some variation thereof.
Posted by Eric Good on October 21, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I've never used a IR filter, but always wanted to convert a camera for just designated IR use... but haven't done that either. I like the results you got here. Lots of nice shapes and tones to explore. Good stuff!
Posted by Craig Myers on October 22, 2009 at 1:23 AM
Steve, as a follow-up, issue 84 of Digital Photographer had an article on IR photography and in a sidebar on page 50 commented on the lens flare issue:
"Just when you thought IR photography couldn't get any more complicated, you need to contend with lens flare too. Most modern lenses are designed for visible light only and don't offer the best results. Bizarrely, it's the pro-spec lenses that create IR hotspots in your frame while the cheaper, digital lenses produce better results. If your lens does produce a hotspot, sadly there's not a lot you can do about it except buy another lens. A browse on the internet should reveal common lenses that other IR users have discovered flare up."
That's the extent of the discussion in the article.
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 22, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Thank Craig. I have noticed that using something beyond the lens hood do help sometimes. I'll try wrapping some cinefoil around the hood some extra blockage. My D70 has a tamron lens but doesn't deal with the noise too well.
Eric, it would be nice if they included that option in the cameras we use now. Rather than modifing an old almost obsolete back ups. I'd rather keep my 5D as a normal back up rather than converting and my d70 that is just too outdated.
Posted by Lon Overacker on October 22, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Steve,
Excellent - the tonal range is superb. The only hint that this is IR is the vegetation, otherwise I would say this looks like straight b&w. I wouldn't say the highlights or anything else for that matter needed any adjustments. Looks great as is.
Sorry, can't help you with the filter.
Steve, I've played around quite a bit with IR. I have a LifePixel modded rebel XT that I use from time to time when I need a break from "normal" photography.
Through some incredibly un-scientific tests I have learned that IR light just doesn't behave the same way as visible light does inside of a lens. All of the fancy coatings on our filters and lenses don't seem to effect IR light. It just sails right through kinda sloppily without being effected the same way as visible light. To test that theory out, try taking a photo of some sunglasses, or a polarizer. It light stopping power of either should not have hardly any effect in an IR photo.
I've also found that small apertures will create the "hot spots" that you are getting in the center of the frame. I try and stay wider than f/8 at all times. Craig is right about the high quality lenses generally performing worse in IR. The sharpest lens I have for IR is the dismal efs-17-85, which stays mounted on the XT almost permanently.
If you do want to continue messing with IR photography, I'd recommend converting an old cam- if you have some spare cash laying around, of course! Noise is a non issue on my XT. Even on overcast or dim days, shutter speeds are blazingly fast compared to visible light. I rarely have to go over ISO200.Also remember that the best IR light is mid day, so that helps avoid any noise issues by keeping the ISO low and shutter speeds high.
Just my 2 cents, and some food for thought.
OK, I'm sneaking back through the shadows to the PNW forum....adios!
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 23, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Hey Aaron, thanks for all the info on the IR photography. I would love to modify an old camera into IR and eventually will someday. Since you know how the hot spots are created you know that effects the quality of light in normal photography as well just not as bad. Thanks for the help.
Discussion
10 repliesSanta Monica Mountain Wilderness
Anyone ever try the IR filter. I mostly get too much noise or some kind wierd effects like odd lightening in the middle of the picture or horizontal lightening on the part of the bottom.
Craig, I'll have to take a look at that.
Cory, you have just given me an idea. Maybe using an IR plug in this already IR image will really make it pop.
"Just when you thought IR photography couldn't get any more complicated, you need to contend with lens flare too. Most modern lenses are designed for visible light only and don't offer the best results. Bizarrely, it's the pro-spec lenses that create IR hotspots in your frame while the cheaper, digital lenses produce better results. If your lens does produce a hotspot, sadly there's not a lot you can do about it except buy another lens. A browse on the internet should reveal common lenses that other IR users have discovered flare up."
That's the extent of the discussion in the article.
Eric, it would be nice if they included that option in the cameras we use now. Rather than modifing an old almost obsolete back ups. I'd rather keep my 5D as a normal back up rather than converting and my d70 that is just too outdated.
Excellent - the tonal range is superb. The only hint that this is IR is the vegetation, otherwise I would say this looks like straight b&w. I wouldn't say the highlights or anything else for that matter needed any adjustments. Looks great as is.
Sorry, can't help you with the filter.
Lon
Steve, I've played around quite a bit with IR. I have a LifePixel modded rebel XT that I use from time to time when I need a break from "normal" photography.
Through some incredibly un-scientific tests I have learned that IR light just doesn't behave the same way as visible light does inside of a lens. All of the fancy coatings on our filters and lenses don't seem to effect IR light. It just sails right through kinda sloppily without being effected the same way as visible light. To test that theory out, try taking a photo of some sunglasses, or a polarizer. It light stopping power of either should not have hardly any effect in an IR photo.
I've also found that small apertures will create the "hot spots" that you are getting in the center of the frame. I try and stay wider than f/8 at all times. Craig is right about the high quality lenses generally performing worse in IR. The sharpest lens I have for IR is the dismal efs-17-85, which stays mounted on the XT almost permanently.
If you do want to continue messing with IR photography, I'd recommend converting an old cam- if you have some spare cash laying around, of course! Noise is a non issue on my XT. Even on overcast or dim days, shutter speeds are blazingly fast compared to visible light. I rarely have to go over ISO200.Also remember that the best IR light is mid day, so that helps avoid any noise issues by keeping the ISO low and shutter speeds high.
Just my 2 cents, and some food for thought.
OK, I'm sneaking back through the shadows to the PNW forum....adios!