Fresh Film, True IR.

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Hi-Con IR with 720nm filter @ EI 0.8

What Is Hi-Con IR?

Hi-Con IR film is a very fine grain, high-contrast, EI 3 black-and-white film. It has a unique sensitivity spectrum, being extremely insensitive to green, but also sensitive to IR at least to 850nm.

It is best used to take photographs outdoors due to its low speed and its IR sensitivity. Very fine detail may be seen in the final image due to the very high resolving power of the film. Low contrast developers should be used to reduce the contrast of the final image.

What is this film originally for?

Hi-Con IR is not intended for use in normal cameras, it is meant for laser imagesetting machines. It is usually used to make plates for printing presses, PCB lithography, and other graphics art applications. Because this particular film is meant to be exposed with an IR laser, it is the only fresh film sensitive to 800+ nm.

Why is Hi-Con IR unique?

Fresh films marketed towards IR photography are not sensitive past 750-775nm, require the use of an opaque filter that blocks almost all visible light, and dramatically reduces the usable speed of the film. This makes shooting handheld with an SLR difficult due to the need to remove and install the filter repeatedly.

Due to Hi-Con IR's unique sensitivity to IR light, it can be used with a normal red filter at EI 3 ('box speed") to achieve a stunning Wood effect. This allows for the use of SLRs without the need for a tripod. If an almost completely IR image is desired, the film can be exposed at EI 1.5 through a 720nm filter.

Hi-Con IR with red 25 filter @ EI 3

Where does this film come from?

This film is only available in giant rolls from printing supply shops. I have been cutting a roll in my darkroom into sheets and short lengths of 120 for testing, but the end goal is 35mm!

I am working to get this film finished in roll flm formats, but unfortunately the quote I got for this service fell through after sample testing showed potental issues.

I am able to cut LF sheets in my darkroom for those interested. 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 are listed, but other sizes may be cut on request.

If you would like some of this film, let me know! click here to go to the order form.

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