Recently, I shot some 8 x 10 Macophot AURA (no anti-halation layer) using an 87C infrared filter (a gel). I know the Macophot PDF on-line brochure says not to use the 87 Series, but I had been assured that I could, using an ISO of 8 with extensive bracketing. Accordingly, I bracketed 6 different sheets of film in successively larger apertures at a one second exposure. The images were processed as positive transparencies, but when they were developed, they were completely black - and I mean nothing! The Lab owner is highly experienced, and his Lab does nothing but process film. Although he has never processed the 8 x 10 film, he has processed 120 (roll) AURA, and he does not believe the emulsions would be different. He also is the person who told me using an 87C would not be the culprit - there would be an image, however faint, of some kind.
Obviously it has occurred to me that I had forgotten to take out the dark slides, but on this shoot I was the assisted by a friend who is very methodical, and I don’t think he would have let me do that. In addition before the IR shots, I had taken some color transparencies of the same subject, and they were perfectly exposed. Not proof positive that the dark slides weren’t pulled, but . . .
Can anyone suggest what went wrong?
So, if I shouldn’t use the 87 Series, which filter should I use to obtain the maximum IR effect, at what ISO should I set my light meter (I used a reflected light spot meter) for that (given) filter, and should I adjust the indicated meter exposure for that (given) filter factor?
Now, with the next question:
Can one create an artificial infrared source of light? I have an old 250 Watt General Electric infrared heat lamp with an internal, built-in reflector. Can I use it as a light source? Or, can I mount an infrared filter in front of a Speedotron strobe lamp putting out 5500 Kelvin?
Thank you for any assistance you can render.
Guy Stewart
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