How do different infrared filter cutoff wavelengths affect IR photos?
Asked 2/3/2011
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I’m getting started with infrared photography and trying to choose an IR filter cutoff wavelength. How do common options like 590nm, 665nm, 720nm, and 830nm change the look of the image in terms of color, contrast, and black-and-white results? Which cutoff is the best all-around starting point?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Well, I haven't personally, but the folks over at Life Pixel have. In summary:
830nm - Deep blacks. Very contrasty in B&W.
Hoya R72/Wratten 89b /720nm - The most 'common' choice. Good all-around tone range, but less saturated than a 665nm filter.
665nm - More saturation and color range. B&W will be less contrasty than the 720nm.
590nm - Vibrant, intense colors. less over-all contrast. More possibilities for interesting surreal color shifting in post.
Pictures of all of the above options can be viewed at the Life Pixel website. Full disclosure: I am a customer of Life Pixel, having gotten my Canon 20D converted by them a couple years ago (went with the 720nm, Hoya R72 equivalent and I completely love it!). I don't get anything for mentioning them... Just a happy customer. :-)
Originally by user2838. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2838
15y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Different IR cutoff wavelengths give noticeably different looks:
- 590nm: strongest color and surreal false-color possibilities, but lower overall contrast and less of the classic IR look.
- 665nm: more color/saturation than 720nm, with less contrast in black-and-white.
- 720nm (Hoya R72 / Wratten 89b): the most common all-around choice. It keeps the classic IR look—dark skies and glowing foliage—while still allowing some color work and strong B&W results.
- 830nm: deep IR with very dark blacks and strong B&W contrast, but little to no color response.
A good first choice is usually 720nm. It gives a balanced infrared look, works well for both monochrome and subtle color, and sits between the more colorful 590/665nm options and the more extreme 830nm deep-IR look.
If you’re experimenting, inexpensive IR gels or external filters can be a low-cost way to compare looks before committing. Shooting with no IR filter at all can also produce unusual results, especially in low light, but it won’t give the same classic filtered IR rendering.
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