Infra Red b/w Through M6

[stewart_weir]

Haven't used b/w inra red for years and have only done so through a

nikon fe2. Has anyone put infra red through an m6? I'm assuming that

because of the cloth shutter its not possible.

[t_bosma]

I've Shot some Konica IR and the Near IR Ilford SFX through my M7. I've noticed no major problems. Tom

[john_collier2]

An M camera is an ideal IR camera as you can see the subject even though

the special filters are mounted. Another bonus is that the Asph lenses are so

well corrected you do not need to re-adjust the focus. Here is a copy of a

message to the Leica-Users by an experienced IR user:

 

From: "Henning J. Wulff"

Subject: Re: [Leica] It has been asked a million times Focusing Infrared Film

with a M6

 

Jerald Rosenfeld wrote:

I am sure that this topic has been hit a million times. I looked in the

archives and only found sketchy information.

1. What is the procedure in focusing Infrared Film using a M6TTL.

2. IS there a problem with infrared leaks with the cloth curtain?

3. Must I forfeit and just shoot at at small apertures?

Thank you for the information in advance?

 

I shoot IR film quite often in my M4, and it is quite easy. I don't usually

shoot wide open, but if necessary, I'll still do it. With newer lenses I

set the focus point approximately at the closer f/2 depth of field mark,

with older (70's) lenses I set it at about the f/4 mark. This is all with

the Kodak HIE film, which has sensitivity further into the IR than other

readily available films. With others (Konica 750, the E-6 film and the

Ilford film) I don't do any adjustment at all. Especially the more recent

lenses are so well corrected, and the IR sensitivity is so limited, that

refocussing rarely brings any benefits.

 

The shutter has no light leak problems.

 

For the Kodak HIE film I have a Leica 39mm IR filter, which is equivalent

to an 89B, and otherwise I use gels cut to size behind a UV filter; mostly

89B or 87. The 25 filter doesn't do quite enough with the HIE.

 

The main problem with IR is that you have to bracket a lot, and the film is

expensive, but if you are going to use it, Leica-M's are ideal.

 

From: "Henning J. Wulff" <henningw@archiphoto.com>

Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Infrared (WAS: 35mm vs. large format)

 

 

The 90 Apo etc is excellent with the Kodak HIE film, which is the most

demanding and interesting of the extended sensitivity films available at

present. An 89B is a good start, but an 87 truly brings out the advantages

of this film and lens. It's transmittance really takes off above 770nm,

which in combination with the distinctive halation effects of HIE produces

effects which are otherwise not achievable. The effects of an 89B, on the

other hand, can almost be achieved by a Nikon 990 digital camera with

apropriate filter.

 

My usual combination for this type of work is the 21/3.4, 35/2 (1980's),

50/2.8 (new styly) and 90 Apo on an M4. Filters are usually the Kodak gels,

as all nuances are readily available. I have filters cut to be placed

behind UV filters mounted on the lenses. The extra surfaces are not really

an issue with this film. Due to the way halation works, 35mm is often

preferable to 4x5 for this kind of work.

 

Leicas are of course the ideal cameras for this, as you are not looking

through the lens, and all the lenses are fairly good in the extended

wavelength range. The new 90 finally makes telephoto shots workable. My

previous IR lens, the 90 thin T-E, was a little soft, and definitely had to

be refocussed to work properly.