40D and Infra-red photography

Hello

I've recently began using a 40D, so yes i'm not a very experienced digital SLR

user, yet! :-)

I've got much to learn about digital SLR photography, i admit, but i have seen and

greatly admired much landscape infra-red photography and so i am wondering if

my 40D can be used to take 'infra-red' pictures (or will it filter out IR?), and if it can

picture infra-red how am i best doing so?

If the answer is a straight no then no worries, i've got plenty of other creative

oppertunities to enjoy with my 40D (plus 17-85mm IS USM) i am sure! :-)

Looking forward to any replies. Much apprechiated in advance.

Donald

Ps - Any particularly recommended lenses for landscape &/or portrait work that's

good with the 40D?

Cheers.

your 17-85L is probably a great lens to start for both landscape and portrait photos. I wouldn't go purchasing anything else right away until you've truly outgrown your current, very capable lens.

As far as IR photography with the 40D, i honestly have no idea :)

Hi Donald, Almost all DSLRs - the 40D included - have a filter over the sensor that

filters out the infrared light spectrum. However, one can have this filter removed (or

DIY) by checking out a place like: http://www.lifepixel.com

However, I'd encourage you to *not* use a 40D for this, but rather an older, DSLR,

like a 10D or 20D. For one thing, taking the filter off voids the warranty, so it's best

to do when the warranty has already expired anyway.

You can also do a "software" infrared image, which just takes a regular DSLR image

and through a bit of hocus-pocus, renders a pretty darn believable IR image.

This month's issue of Photo Techniques has a great article on IR digital and you can

read a lot of what's in there - by the same author - here: http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/free/Infrared/index.html

I have a converted 10D and have encountered many of the issues he addresses -

like front/back focus and "hot spots" with certain lenses. It's a very good place to

start anyway. Good luck!

Donald, the newer generation DSLRs have pretty strong filtration which makes IR harder to do...having said that, you may want to check out this link:

http://www.pbase.com/catson/40d_infrared_

Cheers,

Mike Wagner

I bought a used Canon D60 and converted it to full-time infrared use. The older (and considerably cheaper) D60 works just great for landscapes as would a 10D.

You don't usually need high ISO capability, high speed turn on and fast reading to the CF card when you shoot landscapes.

However, I have mixed feelings about my conversion. Feelings which I never anticipated when I bought the D60 and had it converted.

Normally, I travel in a motor home so bringing some extra gear with me is no problem (within reason of course). However, I am flying to Alaska this summer and will be flying in a small bush plane when I am there.

I have been cutting the weight of my equipment mercilessly. I kind of wish that I had converted a nice P&S camera to full time IR. That way, the weight would be less and I could carry it in my vest pocket and always have IR available.

That said, I am going to fit in my converted D60 somehow. I am sure there will be lots of opportunities for IR landscapes in Alaska.

Worth a shot and still keep warrantee

http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/TLRFauxInfrared.htm

HTH have fun

The camera seems to be capable of extended red photography although a bulb

exposure is necessary if the low-pass filter is left in place.

I took this shot with my dad's 40D, the 17-85 kit lens and a Kodak Wratten 89B gelatin

filter. Note that I was using a 3" filter with a rather clumsy frame/holder/stepping-ring

assembly that was not quite the same size as the front element of the lens, so the

slight vignetting is mechanical.<div></div>