Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I went looking for infrared film today at Henrys and Downtown Camera with no luck. They pointed out an Ilford SFX film that looks somewhat IR but it's not the same as IR. Anyone got any sources for IR film? I'm not interested in converting my DSLRs (maybe if I had a cheapie 20D or so) or using an IR filter (too much loss of light, we're talking 6 stops!). Humm, then again, I guess I can go the cheap way and pickup the Cokin P IR filter for like $60. to experiment with but I'm trying to avoid 1sec or so exposures.

Thanks.

Have you tried Big Camera Workshops in Burlington?

http://www.darkroomcentral.ca/cart_cartdetail.php?id=23

or Freestyle, but it might not be worth the shipping for a small order.

Carlton convert a lower end camera .. You'll thank yourself later. IR Film is a pain to work with. Check out my recent Ir shots on flickr aswell as Syncros his stuff is just simply amazing .. I'm still using a Hoya r 72 fllter so I get th 1 second exposures which is a pain.. Convert it for 400 bucks and you'll be more then happy

I recall Film Stuff Plus having some Infrared film- but that was some time ago.... You might also check Elm Street Photo....

Film Plus or Toronto Image Works should either have some in stock, or able to get it for you.

+1 on Film Plus. they had efke 820 in 120 two weeks ago. would be my choice over sfx any day.

SFX is worth a try if you have a near ir filter such as the r72. I don't know if you know but many of the newer film cameras can't use IR because the the ir led film counter.

I converted a P&S to handheld IR for about $100 including the camera.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/2727083098/" title="Infrared Storm by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2727083098_a0af54aaf8.jpg" width="500" height="348" alt="Infrared Storm"></a>

It should be obvious that there is some colourization.

Sorry I meant to type "Film Plus" not "Film Stuff Plus"....

In any event, they have quite a bit listed on their site:

http://www.filmplus.ca/film.htm


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Awesome! Thanks for all the info folks. I'll do some calling around. I also found out Vistek carries Rollei IR film.

Thanks for the advice Tyler. I'll give your flickr a look. Right now I have a 5DMKII and a 1D MKIII so there's no way i'm going to convert those. I've heard that film was trickier because of the focus distance issue but all my lenses have the IR focus scale for reference. k I've been keeping an eye out for someone trying to get rid of an old 20D but not sure I want to invest that much for an occasional IR shoot. My friend converted his old Nikon D70 himself. Supposedly Canon bodies are a pain to do yourself.

Thanks Metrix, I still have my old Canon 1VHS that is IR safe.


I figured film would be the cheapest route for now to experiment with. $13. a roll vs $600 odd for a cheap DSLR and conversion or even the filter route.


Oh, do I need to be cautious about loading IR film?

Thanks again!

From what I gather, it depends on the film (some must be loaded in total darkness and others can be loaded in subdued light). The film box should say, but if in doubt, I'd load in a change bag....

Actually the cheapest IR is various E-bay IR filters, but you loose hand-hold-ability and viewfinder, although your camera still works as normal as you take the filter off

Some of the bw IR film still suggests the use of a filter (25A red is what I've used in the past). But it's not so opaque as to lose handholdability. You lose a couple of stops though.

Ahh, I think I still have my 25A filter from my B&W days. Thanks for the heads up. Did you find that you have to compensate a lot for focusing with IR?

I didn't really worry about that. Though I tried not to shoot too much close up and wide open. Just stop down a bit and you should be fine.

heres with a d70 and a hoya r72 Def need a tripod though