Please help

[chjing]

hi, i have some problems with IR Photography.

1. The IR72 looks opaque and i cant even view anything through the view finder. Is that suppose to be the case? How to shoot?

2. Since it looks opaque, the camera cant even focus, shutter cant even snap. except with manual focus.

3. How to use manual focus if i cant see anything?

4. So how do the rest of you shoot?

Please help?

[PandaOng]

Hi Chjing,

have you follow the thread by Max. the Instruction are listed there.

What Camera are you using? do also check the camera listing in the sticky thread.

You are right, you cannot see anything since it is opaque. but it should still be able to auto-focus. usually the exposure is pretty long except for some camera.

another alternative is to join us in our outing.

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by chjing hi, i have some problems with IR Photography. 1. The IR72 looks opaque and i cant even view anything through the view finder. Is that suppose to be the case? How to shoot? 2. Since it looks opaque, the camera cant even focus, shutter cant even snap. except with manual focus. 3. How to use manual focus if i cant see anything? 4. So how do the rest of you shoot? Please help?

Hi there,

Let me try to answer your question one by one.

Q1. Yes, the R72 IR Filter looks opaque but it is not really 100% opaque, just that it cuts out all the visible light, you can't view anything through the viewfinder unless you are looking right into the sun with the IR Filter. (please don't try this, may be harmful to the eyes).

For the focusing, I usually use the following procedure.

1. Remove the IR filter to focus and compose
2. Zoom to the desired focal length and try compose/frame the subject
2. Use AF for the main subject first by pressing the shutter-release button halfway and make sure that it is sharp
3. Compose your shot
4. Switch the AF to M so that the focusing will not change when you press the shutter-release button
5. Carefully screw back or handheld the IR filter; put on a lens hood if required
6. Cover viewfinder
7. Use cable release or press the shutter release button

Q2. Not really true, some dSLRs can still focus even with the IR Filter on. However, most of the time, I will do a pre-focus first then switch to manual before triggering the shutter release. I did tried shooting blindly without removing the IR filter before, the camera is able to focus and release the shutter.

Q3. Please refer to my answers in Q1.

Q4. Please refer to my answers in Q1.

[chjing]

Thanks for the help. i tried taking shots again using shutter speed 30"(slowest) and using auto focus first w/o the filter then manual focus w filter to snap, but the shot came out all black. tried using photoshop but there isnt any image. wats went wrong?

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by chjing Thanks for the help. i tried taking shots again using shutter speed 30"(slowest) and using auto focus first w/o the filter then manual focus w filter to snap, but the shot came out all black. tried using photoshop but there isnt any image. wats went wrong?

Which Camera are you using?
What mode are you using?
What is the aperture?
What is the ISO?

By Right, you should be able to get some images even if the focusing is out.