How necessary are the IR filters, really?

[Rob-F]

I know you have to have them for black fabrics. But having to buy and use and manage these filters is one of three things that turns me off about the M8. (The other two are poor High-ISO performance, and the need to code the lenses.)

So: let's say I mostly want to shoot street, architecture, and nature/landscape/citiscape/mountains. will it degrade my pictures if I skip the filters? If I promise not to include any black cloth in these shots?

 

[presspass]

I had the same issues with the M8. I've had one since 2007 - I think - and had problems when I shot without IR filters. Then I found a couple of profiles for Capture One - I think they were on the Leica users forum - and they work pretty well. I can even get away with shooting black cloth with them and have the photos turn out well enough to suit me. As I recall, there were three profiles, one of which was natural, the second low contrast, and the third was supposed to give Kodachrome results. I tried the first two and settled on the low contrast one. They apparently only work with Capture One, not with Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

 

[mikenic]

Hi
I notice a big difference with foliage colours between using the filters or not. So if you are into landscapes ...

There is a focus shift with the IR light that can also make for slightly softer pix without the filters.

And, street shooters don't seem to like the (somewhat noticeable) red glow they give off, but this isn't what you are into as I am re-reading your post.

Anyway, I am the sort that uses filters on my lenses to protect them. So what the heck. I figure it may as well be an IR filter.

My 2c FWIW
Mike

 

[Rob-F]

Well, yes, I would use it for street shooting. Red glow: you mean in the picture? Or did you mean that the filter is too noticeable for street work. I would worry that the filter might be too attention getting. People are not used to seeing a weird filter on a camera, so I think it would make them notice the camera more.

 

[mathomas]

I shoot with a filter if the lens came with one (I buy mostly used). I've never bought an IR filter. I also don't bother too much with coding. I did try hand-coding my lenses, but the only one that reliably "took" was the Zeiss 25mm Biogon. Honestly, I just don't worry my little head about it too much. Have always liked my results (but I admittedly do a lot of B&W conversions).

 

[kdemas]

If you're shooting B&W with your M8 I wouldn't worry about the filter. I have never noticed the softness or focus shift issue with my M8s when converting to B&W that was mentioned above.

If it's color, go for the filter...unless you like those plum colored sweaters and jackets in all your pictures 🙂

 

[Keith]

It's not just black synthetics I discovered ... some treated timbers and other odd things occasionally.

I only had two filters which were the freebies Leica handed out ... if they didn't fit the lens I held them in place with Blu-Tack.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hi
I notice a big difference with foliage colours between using the filters or not. So if you are into landscapes ...

Mike

Dear Mike,

Same here. For me, it's even more of an issue than black fabric.

Cheers,

R.

 

[willie_901]

As all these posters point out: When there is an IR light source lighting your subjects, the IR light reflects off of everything. Some subjects reflect more than others and a few subjects reflect much more than others. Otherwise IR photography would be a complete waste of time.

 

[bluebook]

+1

I actually prefer B+W shooting on M8 w/o IR filter

For color the filters and the coding are essential.

If one is deliberately shooting for B&W consider doing so without the UV/IR Cut. What is seen as a weird magenta cast in black synthetic fabrics in color becomes additional shadow detail in B&W.

Either code the lens and let the camera correct the color shift in the corners or establish profiles in Corner Fix and repair during post. I code everything as that also gives me a clue in EXIF data as to the lens I used.

 

[Pastor Chris]

Like Keith, I have found that the IR issue is a bit broader than just the black fabrics. The nice thing is that is you shoot B&W you can use this "issue" to your advantage and even enhance it. I go back and forth with the arguments for or against a protective filter over any lens, but I am clumsy enough that I have had two lenses saved from damage by having good quality, but sacrificial, filters on them, so having the cut filters on my M8 is no big deal.

 

[hans voralberg]

It affect a hell lot of things, foliage is very visible, green turn yellow-green. Fire is another thing, it gives out lots of IR so it always turn pink!

 

[Mcary]

+1

I actually prefer B+W shooting on M8 w/o IR filter

+2 After being rather surprised, in good way that is, with the results from the B&W conversions from the two times I've used the M8 w/o an IR filter I plan on doing it more often in the future. Also very surprised in a good wait with some of the color shots from this past Saturday shoot which were all shot w/o an IR filter.

Note of all the lens listed on my signature the Canon 35mm is the only that doesn't have filter an I/R filter and that probable the way it will stay.

 

[jsrockit]

Wish I could find a 19mm IR cut filter... because I believe in using these with the M8.

 

[back alley]

i use them on my rd1...

 

[Doug]

The IR effects are sometimes unnoticed, sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant. At first I tried to get away with not using the IR Cut filters on my M8. It didn't take long for me to give in and go with the whole filter + lens coding thing as just a necessary part of running an M8. I'm a believer now.

And I think there will be times with the M9 I'll want to block more IR (like incandescent lit interiors with people), then have to use CornerFix to fix the corners later. The M9's cover glass absorbs more IR than the M8's, but not as much as a UV/IR Cut filter reflects.

Edit: Joe, how do your RD1 corners look, using the filter?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon 85/2 on the M8, wide-open.
No IR Cut filter;

Filter:

I tend to use an IR cut filter with lenses on the M8. The IR focus shift is high on Sonnar and tessar formula lenses, so the IR cut filter tends to sharpen details as well as correct colors.

 

[dfoo]

...
I only had two filters which were the freebies Leica handed out ... if they didn't fit the lens I held them in place with Blu-Tack.

I tried that too, but I found it created odd shapes in my images when I attempted to put a 39mm filter on a lens designed for a 49mm filter! 🙂

 

[deirdre]

Here's a before/after I always pull out. Tropical climate (obviously) with no direct light. Voigtlander 15mm Heliar II up close and personal. Straight out of camera, no post at all.

 

[Doug]

That is a most impressive comparison, Deirdre!