Diff between Gelatin & Glass IR Filters

[jcryan55]

Hi...
Just tried IR photography recently. But too shy to post & also don't know how to edit the photo in PS.

Hope to get some advice on some basic IR photography things.

1. Is there differences in the output that shot through a Gelatin IR filter & glass IR filter? I mean in terms of picture quality. I was told by an Indonesian photo friend that the Glass filter would produce photos that are more constrasty. Is that true?

2. In term of durability, which one is better? Gelatin ot glass?

3. I came across some IR filter that are used in industrial applications like cutting laser rays or stuff like that. Can these IR filters be used in normal photography? The technical details are "freaking" me out men.....

 

[deadpixel]

Hi...
Just tried IR photography recently. But too shy to post & also don't know how to edit the photo in PS.

Hope to get some advice on some basic IR photography things.

1. Is there differences in the output that shot through a Gelatin IR filter & glass IR filter? I mean in terms of picture quality. I was told by an Indonesian photo friend that the Glass filter would produce photos that are more constrasty. Is that true?

2. In term of durability, which one is better? Gelatin ot glass?

3. I came across some IR filter that are used in industrial applications like cutting laser rays or stuff like that. Can these IR filters be used in normal photography? The technical details are "freaking" me out men.....

Ha! Ha! Yeah, it is frightening isn't it. :bsmilie: Ok, let's look at each of these issues you've raised from back to front:

3. Don't sink yourself into too much detail. First, just verify that your camera is capable of capturing IR using the test described in the sticky section of this forum, then go get yourself an IR filter. The Hoya R72 is a very popular IR filter and one that most IR newbies will start off with. About the laser IR filters, I'm not sure you can use them for IR photography. From what I remember in readings about home made lasers, the IR filter is there to BLOCK IR, not "enhance" it, something about IR affecting the amplifiers and disrupting the creation of the laser beam. (Don't quote me on this though, it was a long time ago when I lost interest in lasers).

2. I'll give you a hint and three guesses - harden silicon vs crisp, flimsy plastic. But if you're in the habit of dropping your filters, then...

1. Truth to be told, the differences are not very noticible except if you're really looking out for them. But to answer your question, glass will always give you better results as its surface and makeup is more uniform compared to gelatin. Even if the gelatin is held down tight by a good technical holder, there will still be some unevenness. However, as I said, the differences should not be noticible. The dream like feel of IR photos will make these differences unnoticible accept to the most hardened "measurebator."

And finally, don't worry about the technical details. Just get it on, shoot, ask questions, shoot some more and when the time comes share.

Cheers

 

[vortex]

how do u intend to use your gelatin filter? cokin?

i find cokin has too much light leaks. thats enough reason to just use a glass filter.

unless u have a lens which only accepts gelatin filters at the rear...if not i say invest in a glass filter like the R72.

everytime we promote hoya...i feel we should get some commission :think: