I have been working on a photo project revolving around the Kudzu vine -- just one of the invasive plant scourges in the South, and certainly the most infamous. I wanted to do something a little different, and realized that I still had ONE roll of Kodak’s HIE - High Speed Infrared Film which had an expiration date of 11/2007. It came from my deceased friend Marc Akemann’s stash of film, and I’d been keeping it in the fridge since 2019. Hmm, what better use than shooting some Kudzu with it?
Since 2000, I have shot a few rolls of HIE, and I always felt that for a special project, shooting b&w infrared is something to behold. Unfortunately, Kodak HIE has been out of production for well over a decade. What I really like about it is that you don’t need to use a nearly opaque R72 filter to get the “Wood effect” - which is that ghostly glow to leaves that make the IR world so much fun. All you need with HIE is a red 25A filter. On top of that, you don’t even have to use a meter - under full sun, set your exposure to 1/60 sec at f/16. It’s that easy. You want full sun for the best results, anyway. My roll of HIE had always been refrigerated, and as an ISO 400 film, that is a good thing. That’s one of the reasons I like HIE - it’s very simple to use, and you can shoot it without a tripod.
In comparison, you must use an opaque IR filter with the Rollei IR films, as well as the FPP 200 ISO IR film. That definitely requires a tripod, because you have to set up your shot without the R72 filter, then attach it and make your exposure, if you are using an SLR. If I am using the FPP IR film, then it is about 8 stops of filtration, so that makes it basically an ISO 0 .75, or about 1/2 to 1 second exposures at f/16. Tripod city, for sure. As far as I know, no other IR film comes close to HIE for its versatility, ease of use, and excellent results. I wish Kodak would make it once more.
I find it best to use a fully manual camera with any IR film, because the meter is going to be pretty much useless. I use my Nikon F with a plain prism finder. It also has a very good sealing back, and no features that would introduce fogging of the IR film. Load your IR film indoors, if possible. In the case of HIE, there is no anti-halation layer, and there is light-piping if you are not careful. Light-piping is where the film base acts something like a piece of fiber-optic, carrying the light into the unexposed sections of film. Something to be avoided, for sure.
I loaded my Nikon F at home, and used a 25A red filter on a 35mm f/2.8 non-Ai Nikkor lens. I set my exposures to 1/60 at f/16, as well as 1/30 at f/16, or 1/60 at f/11. I shot in full sun, and when I developed the film I used Rodinal at 1:25 for 9 minutes at 20°C.
Results
It had been enough years since I have used this film that I was actually worried that I might not get good results, but damn, that film came through, and I was not disappointed with a single shot. I scanned the negatives on my Epson V700, and here are some of the results below.
My friend Bill Pivetta took the Nikon F from me and shot a couple of shots of me with it, and talk about a striking image...
That was taken outside of the Highland Brewery in Asheville, and I shot these there, too.
On my quest for Kudzu, I found a nice patch of it along Riverside Rd. between Asheville and Woodfin.
The French Broad River with the tree-covered hills made for some contrasty images.
Lastly, all vines look interesting in IR, as these grapes and background vegetation appear with a dark sky.
Yes, you can use digital to get an IR image, and I have done it. However, I love the way films render subjects under IR, and especially Kodak HIE. I love how easy it is to get the Wood effect with HIE, and the ease of developing the film.
One of my sources of information on Infrared photography has been the book, “The Art of Infrared Photography” by Joseph Paduano. ISBN #0-936262-03-6. His simplified chart of exposing Kodak HIE is as follows:
Approximate outdoor exposures with a No. 25 red filter
- Direct Sunlight - 1/60 sec at f/16
- Hazy, barely discernable shadows- 1/30 at f/16
- Light cloud cover - 1/30 at f/11
- Moderate rain - 1/15 at f/8
If you set your aperture to f/16 and are using a wide-angle lens, you really don’t need to use the IR mark on your lens barrel for the IR focus point. While recently-expired HIE is hard to find, I see some of it on eBay - but it’s usually from the late 1980s, and at crazy prices. I’d stay away from those sales - it’s likely to be fogged from age, and probably not refrigerated.
If you want to give black and white infrared film a try, here are a few alternatives that will work pretty well, but probably not as easily as Kodak HIE.
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| SFX 200 with a variable IR filter (2016) |
All of the films listed below will give you best results with an R72 filter. That being said, I highly recommend using a camera that isn't an SLR, so that you can compose through the viewfinder. You aren't going to be using a TTL meter anyway, so a fully manual camera is preferred. For 35mm, a rangefinder camera or zone-focus such a Rollei 35 will do, so long as you are able to have B exposure, or at least 1 second shutter speed. For 120, I highly recommend a TLR, or if you have a rangefinder medium format, that'll work too. Some folks have even used Holgas with an R72 filter. You'll be able to find R72 filters in most sizes, but you can also get adapter rings to fit whatever you need.
Ilford SFX 200 is a near-IR film that with a dark red filter, will give somewhat of a Wood Effect. Some people use an R72 filter for better results. Again, you’ll need to use the filter factor with any dark red or R72 filter to see what your exposure will be on a sunny day. SFX 200 is available in 120 and 35mm
Film Photography Project BW IR. This 200 ISO film requires a R72 filter in full sunlight for the best effect. You can also use a deep-red filter for less dramatic effect. 35mm only.
Rollei Infrared 400 - needs a R72 IR filter for the full effect. It’s available in 120 and 35mm, and also in 4x5 sheets.
Rollei Retro 80s - I have seen examples with an R72 filter, and I am impressed. With an R72 filter, try 1/2 to 1 sec at f/16 on a full sun day. Available in 120 and 35mm.
Rollei Retro 400s - I have it on good authority that this film will also produce the Wood Effect with a deep red or R72 filter. It’s available in 120 and 35mm.
JCH Street Pan 400 - An R72 filter makes this a very interesting IR film to try out. 35mm only.
CatLABS X 320 Pro - From the CatLABS site - "Unique IR capabilities with extended sensitivity in the 750nm range: use an R72 type IR filter and use ISO 3-5 on your light meter for best results. IR photography can "see through" rain/mist and provide a unique rendering of plant life and leaves. " The film is available in 35mm and 120.
Thanks to those of you have reached out to me regarding this post, and I have updated the information because of your suggestions.
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