How to shoot IR pics with my 400D?

[rocksnstones]

Hi All,

Pls help....i just bought a 2nd hand R72 filter for my 50m f1.8 lens...the cam i am using is 400D . I really love IR pics..and thought i could just buy the filter and start shooting. Gosh...its not that simple and I hope someone can enlighten me on the correct way of getting a shot at it.

When i look into the viewfinder with the R72 filter on, i can't see any image. Do i need to be out on a sunny day before i can take a shot? Pls help.....

Thank you.

[night86mare]

No la, it's not that hard. I'm relatively new and I had not much problem getting the hang of it, but I'm using a prosumer, not sure how DSLR works yet.

You just viewed it at home? If fluorescent lighting, chances are you will not see anything. You need sun. The more the better. As to whether your camera can take.. Check the list of IR capable cams, IIRC, 400D is on it. Just need very long exposures. So be sure to bring tripod if you want to shoot outside.

[teerex]

With the IR filter over your lens, you will not be able to see through your viewfinder to compose your scene.

To shoot IR, you will first need to set Custom White Balance (CWB) with the IR filter on for you camera. After shooting there're some post processing to get the desired results.

I'm not a Canon user,but I guess the 400D should work similarly as the 300D and 350D

Take a look at these stickies:
Setting Custom White Balance

How to do Infra Red Photography

Try them out and let us know if you need further help.

[Rashkae]

1. Wait for a bright, sunny day
2. Go outside. Bring a tripod.
3. Set your ISO to 800.
4. Find some nice greenery, try to see if you can already set your white balance against a nice bright patch of grass.
5. Set your shutter speed to maybe 5 seconds, aim at trees and test shoot.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by teerex With the IR filter over your lens, you will not be able to see through your viewfinder to compose your scene.

...You mean you have to shoot blind?

That's scary.

[jdredd]

the IR filter on the canon is pretty strong.
so with the Hoya R72, i find i need an exposure of at least 20-30 seconds, especially if you shoot at F5 and above.

as a tripod is absolutely essential, its not such a big deal that you have to shoot "blind". just compose the shot, tigthen the ball mount, screw on the filter and then take your shots.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by jdredd the IR filter on the canon is pretty strong. so with the Hoya R72, i find i need an exposure of at least 20-30 seconds, especially if you shoot at F5 and above. as a tripod is absolutely essential, its not such a big deal that you have to shoot "blind". just compose the shot, tigthen the ball mount, screw on the filter and then take your shots.

Oh, only Canon DSLRs have to shoot blind la?

Other brands like Nikon/Pentax no such problem?

[Dennis]

If you are not using mod camera all brands also the same but for Canon and some others like Nikon D80 / D200 you may experience long exposure and thus will require a tripod.

Originally Posted by night86mare Oh, only Canon DSLRs have to shoot blind la? Other brands like Nikon/Pentax no such problem?

[teerex]

Originally Posted by night86mare ...You mean you have to shoot blind? That's scary.

The R72 is a rather strong IR filter. With DSLRs that is TTL with the filter over the lens, you won't be able to see your scene. Unless you have a modified DSLR where the AA filter of the camera is replaced with a IR filter, then composition will be as per normal through the viewfinder.

The usual way to shoot IR with non modified DSLR is to mount camera on a tripod, compose your scene, adjust your focussing, screw on IR filter, cover rear of viewfinder to prevent stray light from messing up exposure (unless you're using full manual exposure), then press shutter to shoot.

When shooting it is good to cover up the viewfinder as stray light entering will give considerable under exposure if you're shooting in "P and A" modes.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by teerex The R72 is a rather strong IR filter. With DSLRs that is TTL with the filter over the lens, you won't be able to see your scene. Unless you have a modified DSLR where the AA filter of the camera is replaced with a IR filter, then composition will be as per normal through the viewfinder.

Pardon my ignorance, no idea what TTL is.

Sounds.. Scary. Definitely my H2 also cannot see a lot with filter over lens, but when I shift the aperture setting to f/2.8 the contrast is a lot better, and more detail can be seen, then I compose, before making the aperture slightly smaller.

[teerex]

Originally Posted by night86mare Pardon my ignorance, no idea what TTL is. Sounds.. Scary. Definitely my H2 also cannot see a lot with filter over lens, but when I shift the aperture setting to f/2.8 the contrast is a lot better, and more detail can be seen, then I compose, before making the aperture slightly smaller.

TTL - Through The Lens. Meaning what you see in the viewfinder of the DSLR is through the lens, exposures are also measured TTL. Unlike most P&S what you see if not through the lens.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by teerex TTL - Through The Lens. Meaning what you see in the viewfinder of the DSLR is through the lens, exposures are also measured TTL. Unlike most P&S what you see if not through the lens.

Ah, I get it now.

Yeah, I would imagine that it's scarily dark. Would what I do for my P&S work for DSLRs though? That is, I can control the aperture and make it larger so that more light enters? Hehehe. I wonder if I'm talking sense.

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by rocksnstones Hi All, Pls help....i just bought a 2nd hand R72 filter for my 50m f1.8 lens...the cam i am using is 400D . I really love IR pics..and thought i could just buy the filter and start shooting. Gosh...its not that simple and I hope someone can enlighten me on the correct way of getting a shot at it. When i look into the viewfinder with the R72 filter on, i can't see any image. Do i need to be out on a sunny day before i can take a shot? Pls help..... Thank you.

Hi there,

Not sure if my step-by-step procedure for using Nikon D70 to do IR can work here, but here goes.

You can read the following work flow that I use or refer to the sticky thread posted by Max2.8.

1. Set the White Balance using some green grasses or plants with the IR Filter ON
2. Ensure that Custom White Balance is set properly then remove the IR filter
3. Exposure Compensation set to +0.7 or +1.0 or more (depending on condition)
4. Set to Aperture Priority Mode using F8
5. Try shooting in the opposite direction of the sun
6. Compose the shot first, then switch Focusing to Manual (Camera on Tripod)
7. Put on IR Filter and lens hood to prevent flare
8. Cover viewfinder and trigger the shutter release
9. Do Pro-processing

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

This is usually the procedure that I used. Others have their recommended method of focusing too, which ever way that works for you is good as long as you get the results you wanted.

Actually, with the AF technology, you can try to autofocus on the main subject even with the IR filter on, but the problem is that we can't really see through the filter.

[rocksnstones]

ok...THANK YOU ALL for the adv....
I will try and once i get a successful shot...will keep you all posted.APPRECIATE THE ADV>>>>