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Best lens for INFRARED? (landscape)

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DimensionSeven

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What's in your experience the best performing lens for infrared landscapes? Which has the least hotspots?

My 18-70 does hotspot (I think in a medium level), while I've heard that the 18-55 is better in this aspect. Any infos on other lenses in the wide range?

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http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
 
Fast primes for me. As you already know (we've been on other IR threads before), I find that it takes over 12 stops DOWN for IR shooting on my D80.

So, I'd take an f/1.8 over anything f/2.8 if I could. Otherwise, I can't tell you, since I have only my 58mm R-72. I've used it only my 24 f/2.8, 35 f/2, 50 f/1.8, 100 f/2.8, and Vivitar (Tokina-made) 90mm f/2.5 Macro. All the 52mm threads, I've got a step-up ring which works fine.

The IQ of my 35 f/2 is not as sharp, since it is my only non-Nikorr lens from the above list (and Macro also, as mentioned). Otherwise, results were similar from each.

Haven't shot IR on anything else, would love to use my Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 but can't justify an expensive 82mm IR filter! Also, would LOVE to use on my Tokina 12-24, but a 77mm is pricey, and f/4 is a touch slow pushing ISO up and shutter down to tripod shooting ONLY.

If I sell some more sports photos, I'm getting the Sigma 30 f/1.4 and would be EXCITED to shoot on that for IR?! That might be worth getting the 62mm filter, but would prolly just opt for a step down ring to 58mm. But for landscape, the Sigma 20 f/1.8 prolly can't be beat for IR (HUGE 82mm filter threads again).

Cheers.
David
 
You got me a bit wrong: neither the speed of the lens (I have a decent tripod and a good amount of patience) nor the filter thread (I have a Cokin P007 square filter) are issues. What I was seeking info about is hotspotting and focusing (IR light).
prodesma said:
Fast primes for me. As you already know (we've been on other IR
threads before), I find that it takes over 12 stops DOWN for IR
shooting on my D80.

So, I'd take an f/1.8 over anything f/2.8 if I could. Otherwise, I
can't tell you, since I have only my 58mm R-72. I've used it only
my 24 f/2.8, 35 f/2, 50 f/1.8, 100 f/2.8, and Vivitar (Tokina-made)
90mm f/2.5 Macro. All the 52mm threads, I've got a step-up ring
which works fine.

The IQ of my 35 f/2 is not as sharp, since it is my only non-Nikorr
lens from the above list (and Macro also, as mentioned).
Otherwise, results were similar from each.

Haven't shot IR on anything else, would love to use my Sigma 24-70
f/2.8 but can't justify an expensive 82mm IR filter! Also, would
LOVE to use on my Tokina 12-24, but a 77mm is pricey, and f/4 is a
touch slow pushing ISO up and shutter down to tripod shooting ONLY.

If I sell some more sports photos, I'm getting the Sigma 30 f/1.4
and would be EXCITED to shoot on that for IR?! That might be worth
getting the 62mm filter, but would prolly just opt for a step down
ring to 58mm. But for landscape, the Sigma 20 f/1.8 prolly can't
be beat for IR (HUGE 82mm filter threads again).

Cheers.
David
Click to expand...
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http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
 
DimensionSeven said:
What's in your experience the best performing lens for infrared
landscapes? Which has the least hotspots?

My 18-70 does hotspot (I think in a medium level), while I've heard
that the 18-55 is better in this aspect. Any infos on other lenses
in the wide range?
Click to expand...
In my experience IR hotspots are caused by a combination of camera sensor and exposure control rather than the lens. I recently did some IR photography in the desert, mid day sun, high contrast, high DR conditions with a Fuji S3 and no hot spots. I used a variety of lenses from Zeiss 28mm ZF to Tamron 28-75 to Nikkor 28/1.4 and 14mm, they all worked fine.

david
DimensionSeven said:
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http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
Click to expand...
 
Those lenses are way out of my budget.
Info on the Sigma 10-20, Tokina 12-24, Nikon 18-55 would be the most welcome.
ddk said:
DimensionSeven said:
What's in your experience the best performing lens for infrared
landscapes? Which has the least hotspots?

My 18-70 does hotspot (I think in a medium level), while I've heard
that the 18-55 is better in this aspect. Any infos on other lenses
in the wide range?
Click to expand...
In my experience IR hotspots are caused by a combination of camera
sensor and exposure control rather than the lens. I recently did
some IR photography in the desert, mid day sun, high contrast, high
DR conditions with a Fuji S3 and no hot spots. I used a variety of
lenses from Zeiss 28mm ZF to Tamron 28-75 to Nikkor 28/1.4 and
14mm, they all worked fine.

david
ddk said:
---
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
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---
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
 
DimensionSeven said:
Those lenses are way out of my budget.
Info on the Sigma 10-20, Tokina 12-24, Nikon 18-55 would be the
most welcome.
Click to expand...
I wasn't suggesting any specifice lenses to you, I used these different lenses as an example to tell you that in my experience the hotspots aren't caused by a lens and rather it has to do with your camera sensor and your exposure.

david
DimensionSeven said:
ddk said:
DimensionSeven said:
What's in your experience the best performing lens for infrared
landscapes? Which has the least hotspots?

My 18-70 does hotspot (I think in a medium level), while I've heard
that the 18-55 is better in this aspect. Any infos on other lenses
in the wide range?
Click to expand...
In my experience IR hotspots are caused by a combination of camera
sensor and exposure control rather than the lens. I recently did
some IR photography in the desert, mid day sun, high contrast, high
DR conditions with a Fuji S3 and no hot spots. I used a variety of
lenses from Zeiss 28mm ZF to Tamron 28-75 to Nikkor 28/1.4 and
14mm, they all worked fine.

david
DimensionSeven said:
---
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
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---
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
Click to expand...
 
Did you modify your D70? Or get a filter for the front of it? I'm toying with the idea of getting a D70 to rip apart, but if there is an easier way I think I'd be more open to that. I know the D200 is not a good IR cam, so if I want to do more IR stuff I know I'm gonna have to get a second body.

Thanks!
-Dave
 
I'm thinking of getting a D40/D40x with or without 18-55 and making it IR-only at maxmax or lifepixel. But I'd like to know wheather the 18-70's hotspotting will disappear with the modded camera.
Dave Dall said:
Did you modify your D70? Or get a filter for the front of it? I'm
toying with the idea of getting a D70 to rip apart, but if there is
an easier way I think I'd be more open to that. I know the D200 is
not a good IR cam, so if I want to do more IR stuff I know I'm
gonna have to get a second body.

Thanks!
-Dave
Click to expand...
--
---
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com
 
ddk said:
your exposure.
Click to expand...
How on Earth would the exposure affect the hotspotting?

Well, of course if I underexpose heavily, there will be no hotspot, just a spot in the middle with a 'cold ring' surrounded... O_o
Or am I mising the point?
 
DimensionSeven said:
ddk said:
your exposure.
Click to expand...
How on Earth would the exposure affect the hotspotting?
Well, of course if I underexpose heavily, there will be no hotspot,
just a spot in the middle with a 'cold ring' surrounded... O_o
Or am I mising the point?
Click to expand...
Now I'm not sure if you're talking about hotspots or lens flare. My understanding of hotspots is blown out areas due to overexposure but you're describing lens flare which is a different thing all together.

david
 
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