Using Rolleiflex with infrared film, and recommended ones

[Harry T]

I am kinda interested in IR film for landscapes and the like, but I don't know if the rolleiflex is 'IR proof' Are the backs and film pressure plates opaque to infrared?
its pretty expensive film in 120 so I don't want to mess it up.

Also, how do i focus for IR? On my 35mm and digital lenses, theres the little red dot for IR focusing, but the rollei doesn't have one.
Is there some formula for it?

And for contrast results similar to a regular film (like tri-x or something), what IR film is good? Id be using it with a Red 25 filter and developing in d76 1:1 if that matters.

sorry if this is in the wrong forum, not sure if its a camera or film issue

[DPurdy]

I used Konica IR film in my 3.5F several times and it worked great. I didn't even worry about focus shift and never saw a problem.
Dennis

[Harry T]

from some quick research i did the Konica seems like a good film with fine grain, sharpness etc and its supposed to be easier to deal with than the kodak HIE, but I can't find it at Freestyle (great source for film stuff with good deals and huge availability in all kinds of weird sizes and special films: they still carry 127 rolls and 9x12 sheets and have tons films to choose from in regular sizes like 120)

They have Rollei and Efke IR films, I think the Efke is the same as the Maco film. jeez the Efke IR820 is expensive tho, $13 per roll!! madness!

How do I meter for IR? and with these films is a 25a a strong enough filter?
is there some general rule for exposures and then just bracket?

[DPurdy]

I think the Konica was discontinued. I only mentioned my use of it because it shows that the Rollei doesn't fog IR.
IR film is expensive and the Konica was too.
Exposure is kind of by gosh and by golly and give it a lot. You will get a feel for it after awhile. It depends on the filter you use or don't use.
Dennis

[Harry T]

So take a couple shots of everything bracketing with 2 stop intervals?
1 stop and 1/2 stop probably would waste too much film and not be different enough. B&W film can take a lot of abuse even within the same development time.

So I "meter" more or less by guessing and working off of the recommendations from the manufacture?

No "sunny 16" type of thing for IR?

Thanks so much for the help!

[DPurdy]

Sorry I can't be helpful, I never mastered it and what I did do was 20 years ago. I think some IR films have a greater range of light sensitivity than others. That Konica film could look almost like a normal film if you didn't use a filter.
If you plan to use the film primarily in one or two type situations, like sunny days with clouds and trees using a red filter, you should be able to get your exposure in the ball park with sacrificing only one roll and taking notes.

[Harry T]

So its really not that different from trying out a film for the first time of any sort, just bigger bracketing?
Ill just go for it and see what works. thats the only way ill figure it out for sure. 1 roll isn't that many $ in the long run. Thanks for the help, I'm kinda just getting back into film. I miss the smell of D-76 in the evening.

[Eddie Vaughan]

Hello Harry T. Did you decide to "go for it and see what works" since your Jan 5 post? I would be very interested to know the results, plus any recommendations on exposure and focusing you can offer from your experience.

Eddie

[Harry T]

Hi again! I haven't been on the forum for a while, busy shooting and doing schoolwork.

I did not buy any IR Film yet, but there is better news.
Following some good results with the rolleiflex and velvia 50 in sedona, arizona, I felt very confident in using the rolleiflex as my main camera for traveling. Colors are beautiful, and I cannot wait to scan some.

So when i went to Peru on a school sponsored trip, my carry-on bag held a rolleiflex 3.5C and 16 rolls of 120 film. It was an amazing trip, we hiked the inca trail to maccu piccu, visited a mountain village during their potato harvest (the hospitality of the people there was stunning and humbling. They let us join into their sacred ritual and were some of the warmest people I've ever met.)We spent a few days in cusco and other towns.

Throughout the trip, the Rollei was around my neck. I guessed exposure on almost all the shots, and I got about 80-90% success on exposure.
The shots are beautiful and the camera only jammed on one shot, then cleared and finished the roll. I love the shots, there is that special medium format feel to them, you know?
Ill scan some when I get a chance.

[DPurdy]

I would definitely like to see what you come up with. Sounds like a great trip.

[Harry T]

I'm gonna scan a lot of that film this weekend, and develop some more recent rolls. I'll put a few of the best in the gallery when I'm done.

[Harry T]

I am not done spotting my scans (it takes longer than i thought but digital ice just annoys me with painfully slow scans and fuzzy detail.) ive scanned about 2/3 of the film from the trip. I have shot about 6 or 7 rolls of film on the Rollei recently, and i will be shooting lots over the break. I need to catch up on b&w printing though, i never really got around to my favorite part of the whole process. :/

Heres a link to my flickr set for Peru, ill be uploading many more in the next few weeks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_templeton/sets/72157632191112888/

[jos4x4and6x6]

Harry, great pictures you shot in Peru. I had a look at the Flickr site.
I visited Peru for work more then 20 yrs ago, no opportunity to visit Machu Pichu. I wish I had, looking at your beautiful photos.

And are you making progress in trying out infrared film ?
Something I might like to try but not right now.

Merry Xmas and a good 2013!!

Regards,
Jos.