I first started shooting 4x5 B&W IR images in the late 1970s. Mostly architectural images which were enlarged to (I think) 30x40 inches, frames, and Hung on office walls. Very profitable side business since no one else in my area was shooting IR commercially. Kept doing this for about 10 years. Kept detailed notes on exposure and refocusing the lens for IR. Had a full set of 87, 88, and 89 (hope those numbers are correct).
So earlier this year wanted to start shooting B&W IR again. I still have my 4x5 Sinar with its set of lenses, but also have a Pentax 67 system that I really only use in the winter, preferring to shoot LF and ULF from spring thru fall. So decided to use the Pentax 6x7 with 120 IR film. First off I couldn't fine my detailed notes for shooting IR. IR films have changed over the years so not sure how helpful my notes would have been. Then over the years have misplaced my set of Gel IR filters. Probably in one of my 4 moves since the 1980s. Was talking with my son and he noted that I still have a FX Nikon D700 which I haven't used in years. Also never got rid of my MF Nikkors. All of my AF Zoom Nikkors produce hot spots in the center of the image making them essentially unusable. After a lot of research sent the D700 body to LIFEPIXEL for their Super Color IR (590nm) conversion. First time I took out the camera I was amazed at the results. Plans for final prints was initially to scan my negatives, make digital negatives, and contact print Platinum/Palladium. Now I can go directly from my digital image file to the digital negative. What I wasn't ready for was that now I had the potential for creating B&W images with blue skies. Attached file is the first shot I made with the camera.
So I now still shoot B&W LF and ULF film and make Platinum/Palladium prints (usually from digital negatives), but for shooting IR (less than 5% of my final images) for me going digital just made a lot of sense. Will still be shooting LF and ULF film for more than 95% of my work, so am by no means giving up the experience. I must say I am in awe of those of you out there that shoot LF IR film. Back in the1980s, as I remember, shooting IR B&W film had its unique set of variables. My first ever roll of shooting IR film was with a roll of 35mm Kodak B&W film that I loaded inside the camera standing in bright sunlight... you can easily guess what happened.
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