Make your own infrared filter

I remember reading a few months back a thread about IR photography

that had a link to a place where you could purchase materials to make

your own IR filters. I have done a search for this thread, but

haven't been able to find it at all.

Does anyone remember this thread and can they direct me to it or to

the site directly?

Thanks.

Are you talking about processing unexposed slide film? That is one chip way of doing it. You get the effect but images will be fairly soft.

Of course, none of these methodes really replace an IR glass.

koorus

Here's an article from the RIT site that might be of some interest:

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/text-infrared-filter.html

You can buy a Wratten gel filter and cut it to fit over the rear lens element or in the window between the shutter and film plane. I'd put it behind the lens, tho', because the closer an additional surface is to the film or sensor plane, the more difficult it becomes to control dust spots and scratches that will show on the photo.

Lex: I think that's what I'm remembering...a link to a place where you can buy the gel filter...it was much cheaper than spending upwards of $100 for a proper IR filter.

Is it necessary to fit the IR gel to the rear lens element, or is it possible to fit it to a UV filter thereby creating a do-it-yourself IR filter?

Matt,

To use a gel filter with a Nikkor lens just buy a Nikon AF-1, 2, 3 or 4 gel filter holder. The AF-1 and AF-2 are 52 and 72 millimeters respectively and accept 75x75mm (3x3") gels. If you buy used they will probably need cleaning and refoaming.

The AF-3 and AF-4 gel filter holders require accessory rings. The AF-3 holder accepts 75x75mm gels and the AF-4 accepts 100x100mm gels. The AF-3 with accessory ring fits 52mm to 77mm lenses. I'm not sure what the AF-4's maximum size is as the information at B&H doesn't make sense, maybe 82mm? Call Nikon.

Regards,

Dave Hartman.

Matt, This is what you are looking for, I think:

http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=1918

I can't find my earlier posting either. It is a *real* IR filter and works excellently.

Now that your question has been answered, I think this thread also will disappear!

Good luck!

I played around today with the tips on the RIT site. I found a bit of unexposed, developed leader from a roll of E-6 film and cut it for a rough fit inside the rear of one of my lenses on my D2H.

The effect is interesting. It has that soft glow and wacky colors typical of IR. I haven't yet converted the pic to monochrome but I suspect it'll resemble a b&w IR photo pretty closely.

Vivek: Yes, that's the link I was thinking of but couldn't find. Thank you so very much.

So if my understanding is correct, I can slide a piece of that plastic filter in a Nikon gel filter holder and I will have what amounts to an IR filter?

Matt, Yes, it will work fine. One enterprising soul on eBay is selling them mounted on various (size) filters.

Old (still valid) IR techniques and a very resourceful site:

http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm

Eric Boutilier-Brown' page on the IR modified D70: http://www.ebb.ns.ca/general/tech/infra-red.htm

How D70 compares with D2X (won't work well) on someone who has tried the very same filter (Laurie) and links to pics taken with a D70.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DDS5