b&w infrared images from R-D1

[AusDLK]

I thought I'd share the early results of an experiment capturing infrared black and white digitally.

I'm using an unmodified Epson R-D1 digital rangefinder camera with a Hoya R72 filter (the equivalent of an 89B Wratten filter) over a few different lenses.

The ISO setting of the camera was set to 1600 (the highest available) and images (exposed at f/5.6 or f/8) were underexposed. The R-D1 allows IE adjustments and I found that +1 usually produced usable images. +2 occasionally produced a better image.

I have published five images here: http://www.leica-gallery.net/dlk/folder-8585.html

All were handheld at 1/125 or 1/250 sec.

All images were initially processed in Epson RAW and converted to TIFFs. Levels, brightness/contrast, and sharpness adjustments done in Photoshop. Most significantly the Noise Ninja plug-in was used to significantly reduce the noise that resulted from the high ISO settings.

I have photographed many rolls of Kodak High Speed Infrared (HIE) and find the results pleasantly similar. The middle image of the five looks almost the same as the HIE image that I made last year.

Next I will use some faster lenses (the five images presented were taken with either the Voigtlander 12mm f/5.6 or Leica Tri-Elmar f/4) so I can drop the ISO to hopefully 400 to see how the images look with much less noise.

Any questions and/or comments are welcomed.

Dave.
--
David Keenan, ausdlk@swbell.net on 3/26/2006

 

[RML]

I like the shots. Very eerie at times.

How long are the shutter times on these shots? Wouldn't it be possible to just use iso200 or iso400 and a little longer shutter time? Granted, I know nothing about IR photography so, please, don't bite my head off.

 

[pfogle]

Dave, hi,

I've also shot IR on the R-D1 with the R72 filter, and I like the results. I've attached one of my pix below.

I found I got the best effect from using the green channel only. I either use the channel mixer in PS or use the b/w green filter option for in-camera jpgs. Did you do any channel selection for your pix?

all the best
Phil

ps pic was taken with the CV 21/4 wide open.

 

[John Camp]

I'd like to try this; I really like the cloud and water effects. I've got an R-D1 and some fast glass, but no filter. Where do you order an R72?

JC

 

[bmattock]

B&H has them. By the way, some digital cameras other than the RD-1 will work - not all, though. I am able to do the same thing with my Pentax *ist DS - overexpose from indicated by six stops and process red channel as B&W, works a treat. Do a Google search for digital SLR infrared - the information should apply to the RD-1 as well. Nice to know that it is also capable of this!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[brightsky]

Really neat stuff here! I'm impressed with the way these shots turned out.

Now I've got to find my Leica IR filter!

 

[AusDLK]

I like the shots. Very eerie at times.

How long are the shutter times on these shots? Wouldn't it be possible to just use iso200 or iso400 and a little longer shutter time? Granted, I know nothing about IR photography so, please, don't bite my head off.

I hand held all of these at shutter speeds in the 1/125 to 1/250 range. Using a lower ISO is certainly possible, maybe even desirable. My goal with these first few shots was more to see what was possible as opposed to grabbing a prize winning image. Next I will use a tripod or monopod and drop the ISO. I'll post these results soon.

 

[AusDLK]

Dave, hi,

I've also shot IR on the R-D1 with the R72 filter, and I like the results. I've attached one of my pix below.

I found I got the best effect from using the green channel only. I either use the channel mixer in PS or use the b/w green filter option for in-camera jpgs. Did you do any channel selection for your pix?

all the best
Phil

ps pic was taken with the CV 21/4 wide open.

I used black & white RAW and no in-camera filtration. And no use of channel mixer in PS.

BTW, your image is quite nice.

 

[pfogle]

I find the red channel is about 2-3 stops more sensitive to IR than the blue or green. So if you want to use just one channel, the red gives the shortest shutter speeds. Of course, no filtration is pretty much the same, as the red is so dominant.

However, if you do try the green, you'll get a bit more contrast in the light foliage against the sky, for instance. The blue is similar in sensitivity, but has a lot more noise, in my case. So I tend to use a high ISO, and throw away the red channel.

These comments refer to the R72 filter, btw.

 

[d_e]

This is useful info, I just got an RD1s and have a Hoya R72 filter. Now I should get a lens... Can you guys post what rangefiner lenses are good with R72? AusDLK, I am assuming your CV 12 is good, how about the CV 15?

 

[AusDLK]

Never used the 15mm lens for IR.

I think that it does not have filter threads or a filter adapter so using the R72 (or any other filter) might be problematic.

 

[d_e]

According to cameraquest site, the CV 12 77mm filter adapter can work with the 15... with your experience though, the CV 12 already looks good so why bother with a 15? hehe I will order one soon thanks to you!

 

[d_e]

I love your shot too pfogle! Mind sharing the camera settings used? what iso, shutterspeed, handheld?

 

[pfogle]

thanks d_e, that shot was with a CV 12/4 lens, on a tripod, unusually for me. I think it was around ISO400, but I don't remember the settings.

I did use the b/w green filter setting as described above.

I particularly like the IR results I got with the CV 21mm lens. It has a subtlety of tone I don't get now I've "upgraded" to the 21mm Elmarit (pre-asph). I find the Leica lens too contrasty - ok for dramatic shots, but not as satisfying. I also liked the slight vignetting you get with the CV21.

I have two filters - the Hoya R72 and an unmarked one that I got from SRB filters here in UK. The SRB one was advertised as having a sharper cutoff (around 760nm I think) but they must have sent me the wrong one, as it lets quite a bit of red through. It still works with the green channel OK, but I don't like the look much. So I stick to the R72.

BTW don't forget to manually adjust the focus to the IR mark - it makes a huge difference to the sharpness of the shot, even if it would 'normally' be within the DOF of the lens. Just one of the quirky things about IR photography

ps - I see you have already got the 21 Elmarit. Mine has a 60mm thread, so I use a 55mm R72 filter and stick it into the front of the lens with blu-tak (not touching the glass, of course!)

 

[Didier]

There is a filter adapter for the 15mm Heliar

There is a filter adapter for the 15mm Heliar

Never used the 15mm lens for IR. I think that it does not have filter threads or a filter adapter so using the R72 (or any other filter) might be problematic.

With some tape, the filter adapter for the 12mm Ultrawide can be used with the 15mm, too, as several 15mm Heliar owners reported. I have a custom filter adapter for the 15mm Heliar, made by Wilco Jansen, a dutch hasselblad repair expert. This adapter takes 72mm screw in filters, and it is recommended to use the Slim/Flat versions of B+W or Hoya to prevent vignetting. Haven't bought a IR filter in that size yet but have the intention to.

Didier

 

[fgianni]

Why don't you get an M8, then you won't even need a filter for infrared, you only need one if you don't want to take infrared

 

[d_e]

Hehehe nice one fgianni!

Thanks for the tips fiogle! So the CV 12 it is then, but yes I will try the R72 with my 21 Elmarit ASPH with 55-77 step-up adapter rings to fit the R72.

 

[pfogle]

Hehehe nice one fgianni!

Thanks for the tips fiogle! So the CV 12 it is then, but yes I will try the R72 with my 21 Elmarit ASPH with 55-77 step-up adapter rings to fit the R72.

here's a sample of the 21 Elmarit with the R72, handheld 1/30th at 5.6(?) at ISO 1600, b/w jpg mode with green filter selected.