Best infrared filter?

Guys and gals please help. I am extremely interested in infrared photography

(b & w film photography) and have bought my first film to experiment with

(Kodak HIE) however after over two hours of trawling the internet I have come

across little or no information concerning the 'best' infrared filter to use

(when I say 'best' I mean the one that will produce the most potent infrared

images), I have a budget of no more than ?50/$100 but would ideally be looking

at ?30-?40/$60-$80. However if it is worth the extra then I can stretch

myself. Thanks

It depends on what effect you want. I guess the darker the filter the more infrared light will affect the images and the less visible light will affect the images. The darkest are so dark a red that they look black. But I think the nicest images come from a normal red (25A) filter or maybe a 29 darker red.

 

Also, if you have an SLR, then anything darker than a 25A is awfully hard to see though. If you have a rangefinder it's a non problem.

Like I said I want the most potent infrared images possible so a filter that lets in mostly/only infrared light would be ideal. People mention Hoya and other lenses but without explaining the qualities of each and why they choose them. Is seeing through the filter a problem? Can't the shot be set up and then the filter be placed in front of lens? Thanks

I use Nikon D70 and B&W 093 IR filter, which is totaly black. This combination works great! Exposure times are about 2 seconds at sunny day, 200 ISO and f8. You get true IR photo, monochrome (with red to magenta cast). I first compose a photo without a filter, then put on filter and make a shot.

In PS I make some adjustments. Desaturate and add more contrast.

Best regards,

Janez

Yes you can set up the shot, screw on the filter, take the shot, screw off the filter and compose for the next shot. But it's a pain which is why I like to use a Leica M2 (which is a rangefinder). It's especially annoying when you have a lens hood on because usually you have an extra step of removing and replacing it.

I burn my Kodak HEI, at 320 or 400. I focus, meter and expose through a deep red (#29) filter.