I recently acquired 20 rolls of Kodak High Speed infrared film but hadn't a metal camera to shoot it in. I went to my local camera shop today and picked up an Olympus OM10 to do so. I read in Kodak's PDF that some lenses have an infrared focusing mark and I think, at least, that this lens in fact does. I understand you need to focus farther from the subject to correctly focus infrared light on the film plane, the lens has a red marking just past the main focus marker that I assume would be just that. Also, if anyone has shot and processed this film, Kodak HIE, I would love some of your input. Thank you.
Invest in an R25 filter if you don't have one. This is the best filter for IR shooting. For focusing with the lens above, first focus to the normal veiwing. Once it is in focus then read the distance on the lens and adjust the distance to the infrared mark. Example if the lens above is correctly focused it is focused at 10 meters. Before shooting readjust the focus so the 1 in 10 meters lines up with the red mark.
I assume so, the film doesn't have an anti-halation backing so light falling on the lead can find it's way into the canister and fog the film. I will make sure to be careful.
Can't help you with developing as I always took it in to the photostore for developing.
Further to photomans comment..
With the HEI film you must load and unload the film in total darkness or it will get fogged.
You might want a changing bag, or find a room in your house where no light enters, even the slightest light will likely fog the first few frames. I used a changing bag when in the feild and at home I would go into a room in the basement that had no windows.
Once you hae exposed the film return it into the canister that the film came in. Should you decide for a store to process it, put extra tape on the cap as I have seen many well meaning front counter people attempt to open the canister to put the film in a regular developing envelop. If it is taped that stops them. Even if you tell them in advance it is infrared film.
For exposing be prepared to bracket each shot 2 above and 2 below.
A person I learned from actually used a very simple method.
He set his camera lens to F11. If it was bright and sunny he shot at 1/125, some cloud 1/60 and cloudy 1/30 or 1/15. He always used a 20mm lens and never worried about any other settings. He always used the R25. I tried this method and it worked really well. I also used the R29 filter a little deeper black skies. But you may have to experiment, shoot your first roll by experimenting and brcketing and be sure to write down every shots settings. Develop the prints and then go back and see how you did.
One other warning, if you self develop or the store does, it must be loaded for developing in total darkness.
I'm envious you got some HEI, the only IR film I have is ROLLEI and 8 rolls of the colour EIR Infrared film.
Burningheart, thank you for the tips. I'll most likely load the film in a room in my basement that I also use as my dark room so a changing bag won't be necessary. I'll be sure to try your metering suggestions along with Kodak's. I'll pick up an R25 filter and shoot and process a roll tomorrow and post my findings here. Thanks for the help.
Oh one last thing, the shooting tip Peter Gold (that's his name) used for the 1/125 a second etc, he never set the ISO on the camera, it didn't matter what ISO as the aperture and shutter speed were predetermined. When it came to developing at the store they would ask me what ISO I used so they could make adjustments durig processing. I always told them just develop it normally no adjustments are necessary. It never failed me.
On Kodak's PDF, they recommend 8.5 minutes with D-76 at 68 degrees (which I'm anal about making my parents keep the house at) for development. Should I send a couple rolls to a shop I'll keep that in mind.
I'm looking forward to shooting it and can't wait to see the results. I'll be sure to post them here when I get a few good shots.
