Use of Leica M8 for shooting IR - how to?

[peterm1]

I am sure there must be threads on this but the dopey search function on this site keeps telling me that I am using a search string of less than 3 words. (The string in question was - "Leica M8 Infra Red" by the way, clearly more than 3 words.)

I need some advice and was wondering if someone could help. I have tried using a deep red IR filter on a post war Summitar and have duly gotten red tinted (RAW) shots that I then converted to monochrome in post processing (trying different filter effects along the way.) But nothing I tried produced anything that looked at all like any IR shot that I have seen.

I must be doing something wrong. But what is it? (Should I be shooting JPGs so I can use in-camera mono with the filter? I have been reluctant to try this having heard how mediocre the M8 jpg engine is.)

Is someone able to give me some useful tips please?

 

[mahleu]

When converting the RAW you need to adjust the white balance right the way down. Alternately you can do this with a custom white balance before taking the shot (i'm assuming the M8 will do this), try using green grass as your 'white'.

 

[johannielscom]

When converting the RAW you need to adjust the white balance right the way down. Alternately you can do this with a custom white balance before taking the shot (i'm assuming the M8 will do this), try using green grass as your 'white'.

that is the approach with cameras that will not register IR, the shots will resemble IR shots when dealt with like this.

The M8 ofcourse does pick up IR, thats why those wretched filters had to be used.

To make sure it picks up IR, just leave the anti-IR filter of and replace it with a dark red filter to enhance the IR rays. I used to shoot DNG with it, so all my files turned out red. Since I liked it I left them that way:


20090522-KPR-L1002688 by buzzardkid, on Flickr

But you can also convert them to B&W after shooting them like this.

 

[mahleu]

read these:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/m8-infrared.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/m8-infrared.shtml

The white balance shift is very important, even when converting to monochrome...

 

[willie_901]

I wish everyone who has posted the M8 only needs IR filters for synthetic fabrics reads this thread.

 

[bluebook]

For me, I added colors in the highlight/shadow to renders the blue-grayish IR color that I personally prefer.