B&W Infrared Canon AE-1

[MSaboe84]

After being misplaced for two years, I found my 1984 Olympic Edition Canon AE-1 that I've wanted to use for infrared photography. I did some research a couple years ago and bought a Hoya R72 Infared filter. Aside from purchasing infrared film, is there anything else I need (opaque filters, etc.)? I chose the R72 filter, because I like the stronger IR effect it gives. I am looking to do mostly outdoor landscapes with this project and trying to get in gear to start shooting in about month or two since early summer is coming and Infrared is great at picking up chlorophyll.

Also, I misplaced this camera in 2009 and decided not to buy the film until I found it again. In the meantime, Kodak's HIE Infrared film ceased production. Any comparable films for outdoor landscape using a Hoya R72 filter? I know people generally used an R25 filter with Kodak's HIE, but I think at the time I was planning on using Rollei since I found a guy in Norway using a Canon AE-1 with that and a R72 filter and it looked great. I just really like the dream-like glow that halation brings, and I've heard most brands are mostly anti-halation now.

Also, I don't have a darkroom right now. Any suggestions for developing? I live in a metropolis of a few million, so I'm hoping there's some specialty developing places? Or do I need to ship it somewhere?

All and any tips would be appreciated since I'm fairly new to the game.

 

[GregB]

Hi MSaboe84. I have to say right at the outset that you are setting yourself a massive challenge. Film of any kind is
relatively rare these days, speciality film - which was scarce enough when film was the only option - is extremely
hard to come by. I did B&W and colour infrared back in the day (late seventies early eighties) and it was great fun,
but everything was available then, but now, not so much. And I would imagine that setting up a darkroom and
sourcing the chemicals would also be very difficult.

Have you considered using an IR filter on a digital camera? The results are quite good (I have done a bit). Or, you can get
a digital camera modified to convert it into an infrared camera. Just put "convert digital camera to infrared" into Google
and you will get many results.

Sorry, I know this is not what you were after, but I think your challenge may be too great with film.

Good luck