Infrared photography
 

Hi,

I've just purchased a cheap Nikon F65 camera with the intention of having a go at infrared photography.
I've never done this before so have looked a some sites on the Internet.

Has anyone here got any experience/hints/advice about infrared photography?

I think the results are stunning so am looking forward to having a go.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris,
I'm a bit confused. Infra-red photography is normally tackled in one of two ways. First, a Infra-Red filter (around 670nm) is placed in front of the lens to cut out virtually all visible light and only record the long frequencies. The second method is to physically modify the camera so that the sensor will only pick up these frequencies. The second method is pretty-much permanent and renders the camera useless for anything else. However, this only applies to digital cameras.
My confusion stems from the camera you've bought. The F65 is a film camera which requires a completely different approach. First, you'll need to track down some infra-red sensitive film, which come in two types: The true infra-red about 700nm, and the 'false' colour type which, although sensitive to the longer wave-lengths isn't really 'infra-red'. However, false colour film can provide very interesting and striking images.
Let us know a little more of what you're trying to do and we can look at it a bit closer.

Thanks for your reply Chris.
I didn't want to convert m DSLR because of the permanence and the cost of doing so. My plan had been to buy a cheap film SLR, some Ilford SFX film, filter and have a go. I guessed this would be he cheapest way of doing some infrared photography.
Nikon say the F65 cant shoot infrared but people that have done so say it works fine.
Thanks again for your response, I'm really in the dark on this (apart from what I've read on the Internet) so any help or advice is much appreciated.
Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris,
Ilford SFX is extra red sensitive. I've never tired it myself, but I believe you can get some interesting effects with a red filter. This is similar to the effects of true IR, i.e. Black skies and white foliage. It might be fun to try it with other filters, also see what you get without a filter.
Of course, unlike digital, you can't go blasting off and just delete the ones you don't like in-camera. SFX currently sells for about GBP7 a roll so every shot's going cost you 20p, then add processing and printing.
I hope you got the F65 really cheap, because an Infra Red filter for your DSLR might have been a cheaper option.
Still, I hope you have some fun with it.

I paid £6 for the camera. I was feeling a bit nostalgic and fancied trying film again and something new.
Do you know if the IR filters produce good results on a DSLR? I think the Hoya R72 is recommended but not sure what the results are like??
Thanks again for your help and advice. Appreciate it.

Chris