Infa-red lenses for 400D

[Hammerhead]

Getting very impressed with some IR photography I've seen lately and was wondering whether I can try this with my 400D.

From what I can gather off the net, the 400D has an IR "screen" as part of the dust protection sytem, which can be removed, but drasically reduces the camera's "normal" functionality. Not good for me.

Any suggestions? I'm a total noob to IR, so feel free to add anything about products / tips / challenges etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bigfrog23]

yes you can. i have done a lot with IR photography in both film and digital. you do not need to modify you camera at all. the first thing that you need to get is a filter an R72 filter. i recommend getting one of ebay just search IR filters. you want one that filters out all light waves but 760nm they make others but this will get you started. the first thing that you will notice it that the filter is completely opaque and you can not see through it. so you need to compose the image prior to putting the filter on also you will need a try pod because your exposer about 2-8 seconds and F5.6 iso 100. I also recommend shooting in RAW as when you take the pick it will have a pink color to it. you will need to do some post processing on the images fist you will need to change the pic to a black and white. then you will need to do some sharpening to it and you will have a decent image. there are better ways to do this but this is the easiest way and will get you started. the other thing that you will notice is that IR light focuses different than visible light and if you look at you canon brand USM lens some of them have red numbers on them these red number are the focus adjustments for compensating for IR light.

hoped this helps

if you have any question feel free to pm me

here are a couple of images fist is color second is black and white

 

[bureau13]

Bigfrog23, you've confirmed that this works with an unmodified Canon DSLR? I know (for example) some of the older Oly digicams (C2020 and that like) worked extremely well for IR photography. My C4040 blocks more IR than the older models, but it is still usable with the IR pass filter...however I also have heard that the newer digital SLRs block too much IR to work well without removing that filter.

If I had the money for a new IR-specific rig I would seriously have to look at the Fujifilm IS-1. Very cool looking setup.

jds

 

[bigfrog23]

I have used the ir filter that i mentioned above on both a canon 30D and a canon rebel xt. the shot from above were taken with a canon rebel xt. as well as an oly C-8080 all worked well

 

[Hammerhead]

Cheers all, from what I can gather, there is an IR filter built in, but it's not 100% blocking the IR light, accordingly you can counter the effect by longer exposure.

You're welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this works...

 

[bigfrog23]

Cheers all, from what I can gather, there is an IR filter built in, but it's not 100% blocking the IR light, accordingly you can counter the effect by longer exposure.

You're welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this works...

yes that is sort of how it works but you need to get the IR filter to make it all work. you can also us a Dark red filter something that cut out about 3 to 4 stops of light.
other thing is that there is not as much reflective IR light as there is visible reflective light so it is tuff to shoot indoors even with a big flash because the flash does not emit much IR light . remember when you take a picture you are going to be capturing the reflective IR light not the IR light that radiates from heat or other sources. good luck its a lot of fun to shoot because you never know quite what you are going to get.

if you have any interest shooting IR film let me know it is a little different than digital. would love to see what you get

 

[bureau13]

Interesting news, I may need to get an IR filter for my 400D after all. I tried the IR remote control test and I didn't see anything, but I probably needed a longer exposure.

jds