Now that HIE is gone, what to use?

[landsknechte]

I'm still a relative newcomer to infrared photography, only really getting into it in any real fashion about a year ago. (Not counting some dismal luck I had in college that made me abandon the whole concept for over a decade.) I fell in love with HIE, and now she's gone the way of the dodo. What other infrared films do you recommend? What's the proverbial next best thing?

 

[charjohncarter]

I have my first roll of Efke 820IR but have not used it. There is a guy on this forum that has done a lot of IR. He gave me ISO or EI 1 when using Hoya R72 filter. Tripod for sure. I think his avatar is Schaf(f)photo. If that isn't it, look for recent IR threads. If you can't find them, PM me. I think I have them tagged somewhere.

 

[gb hill]

There is still plenty of HIE in supply. I got really lucky and found some recently expired rolls for $2.49. @ Wolf Camera. $12.00 a roll around here makes it really expensive to stock up. Here is some different types at Freestyle

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_main.php?cat_id=405

 

[Roger Hicks]

Efke. Expose generously and you get that 'dripping with light' look. Use a filter with a T50 of 695-720nm.

It's not the same, but it's as close as I've found. Generous exposure is essential if you want to come close to the HIE look.

Cheers,

R.

 

[charjohncarter]

By the way, I forgot, Roger has a very good article in last months 'ShutterBug' on Efke 820IR. You should read it even if you choose not to use Efke.

Sorry, edit, Roger is Roger Hicks. His post is above mine.

 

[GeneW]

I knew HIE was gone in 120. Has 35mm production ceased as well?

Gene

 

[gb hill]

I knew HIE was gone in 120. Has 35mm production ceased as well?

Gene

35mm HIE ceased I believe the last of December 07.

 

[GeneW]

35mm HIE ceased I believe the last of December 07.

Thanks, I missed the announcement. I have one roll left in my fridge ...

Gene

 

[photogdave]

I am liking the Rollei IR. Here's a thread I started about it:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47165

 

[NickTrop]

The answer?

And this might shock you - those of you who know what a die hard "film guy" I am...

Photoshop!

Infrared film is prohibitively expensive, getting harder to find, and is a pain in the ass to meter, focus, and develop with a acceptable level of grain...

Shoot with cheap color film, expired, the cheaper and crappier the better - doesn't matter...

Read this site, and load the set of 6 Actions at the bottom of the page (free):
http://www.nickgallery.com/web_pages/technical 20.htm

Love the "IR" look. But when it boils right down to it, IR is just an "effect". To get this effect "in the camera" you lose control, it's expensive, there's a high "spoilage" factor, and it's an overall pain.

Shoot with cheapest, expiredest, color film you want. 800 speed if you want! Use whatever camera or focal length you want (not the one you happen to have a pricey IR filter for...) Use whatever format you want - 135, 6x6, 110 - whatever.

And shoot "in the winter" on dark days or indoors - where there isn't much "IR" light. Take a pic you "wish you had shot in IR" or "think" would have made a great IR shot, and scan it in, and "IR" it "in post".

And "Photoshop" it...

Sorry, I may be a purist, but sometimes the pragmatist in me trumps it. A "so-so" quicky sample is below. Use the "make sample images" action that will make six small "try it out" images labeled for the corresponding action and try each of the six different IR actions. Pick the one you like the best. A few of the actions work with black and white. Or use combinations.

 

[landsknechte]

If I'm going to fake the HIE look, I'll probably stick with digital. I've had better results shooting my dslr with an R72, and then Photoshopping the look of HIE into them. It's still a pain in the butt, as my digital is unmodified and it takes some loooooong exposures to do IR. Seems to work pretty well though, and has the added benefit of not having to worry about whether or not you've got the right things glowing or not.

 

[NickTrop]

Yes - as much as I hate to admit it, digital can be good for IR. The examples you posted, landsknechte, illustrate this wonderfully. Excellent examples. I would buy a digicam that did not have an IR filter. I got real good results with a Panasonic Lumix FZ1 (no IR filter) digital and a Hoya R72 and Photoshop. I actually like it better than HIE, personally. The FZ1 is a good choice because of its zoom and image stabilization allows you to get away with hand-held. There are lists of "old digicams" that give pleasing IR effects on the web.

 

[Leighgion]

Now that I have a D300 on the way, part of me is pondering converting my D40 or my Coolpix 995 for IR. Price tag is a bit hefty at $300, but for a trio of franklins you get your sensor's filter replaced with an IR filter so you don't even need to screw stuff onto your lenses and you can see normally in the viewfinder. Tempting. I've not dabbled in IR before, but I have a general liking of surreal images.

Thanks for that link though, NickTrop. I'll give those a shot.

 

[NickTrop]

Here's an IR with a Panasonic Lumix FZ1(v2), a Hoya IR filter, and Photoshop:

 

[drmabus]

HIE is still available at B&H. Also, I think that you'll find that a lot of it will become available on eBay. Many people rushed out and bought large quantitities when they heard that Kodak has ceased production. In expectation of outsized profits, these people will be selling the film for quite sometime on eBay.

I know that several people have mentioned Efke and I hope that you will consider buying their film. We need to support them because, if we don't, they will go the way of Kodak. Most importantly, while not exactly like Kodak (Efke IR films are made with anti-halation backing), is still an excellent product.

The Rollei IR film is similar but requires a true IR filter, not just a red 25-A filter, be used. I believe that I read somewhere that the same people that make Efke also make the Rollie IR film but I could be mistaken on this. At any rate, give Efke or Rollie a try and DO NOT participate in the get-rich-quick schemes of the people selling Kodak HIE on eBay.