6 Infrared Films For That Otherworldly Glow

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Infrared film is sought-after for its blazing highlights and enhanced depth and contrasts. The film is sensitive to several sources: visible light, ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation. While they may act as normal black and white films, they create intense, detailed images under infrared filters. Photographers may even choose to hand-color them.

Efke Infrared IR820

The Efke Infrared IR820 is a 35 mm film with a sensitivity of up to 820 nm (nanometers), resulting in dream-like photographs. With the use of a red filter, skin tones and leaves will appear pure white.

Credits: nickt, mylatehope, lazybuddha & bccbarbosa

Read more about the Efke Infrared IR820.

ORWO TC27 400

Formerly used as a surveillance film, the ORWO TC27 400 is a highly sensitive black and white infrared film. Variations in light and contrast create very detailed images that maintain a vintage aura.

Read more about the ORWO TC27 400.

Ilford SFX Infrared 200

If you enjoy taking portraits and nature photos, the Ilford SFX Infrared 200 is here to up your analogue experience. With a red filter, images become more intense as plants turn white and skin tones get a glowy effect.

Credits: schlogoat, eskimofriend, h_hache & aka_papu

Read more about the Ilford SFX Infrared 200.

Konica Infrared 750 nm

The Konica Infrared 750 nm, while no longer in production, is a favorite among nature photographers due to its excellent sharpness and tones. It was available in 35 mm and in medium format. The Konica Infrared 750 nm was loved even by beginners, but if you have yet to explore infrared film and want to achieve similar results, you can look into the Lomography Fantôme Kino ISO 8 available in 35 mm. It renders superb sharpness and high contrast as well.

Read more about the Konica Infrared 750 nm or check out the Lomography Fantôme Kino ISO 8.

Kodak High Speed Infrared HIE

If you like ethereal and Pictorialist-looking photographs, the Kodak High Speed Infrared HIE is the one for you. Because it has moderate contrast and infrared sensitivity from 250 nm to 900 nm, which means it is more sensitive to light than other infrared films, it is known to create halos around bright objects.

Credits: ihave2pillows, specialblewah, bloomchen & vicuna

Read more about Kodak High Speed Infrared HIE.

Kodak Aerochrome Infrared Film

Formerly used for aerial photography, military photography and other scientific purposes, the Kodak Aerochrome Infrared Film is a false-color reversal film with purplish-to-red colors, used by photographer Richard Mosse. Aerochrome has long been discontinued, but its artistic impact remains as it inspired Lomography to create the LomoChrome Purple ISO 100-400 in 35 mm, 110 and 120 format. Without the need for supplemental filters or chemicals, it provides intense color shifts while keeping the skin natural-looking.

Credits: kleinerkaries, anafaro & chippo

Read more about the Kodak Aerochrome Infrared Film or check out the Lomochrome Purple ISO 100-400.

Do you know any other infrared film that wasn’t mentioned in the list? Let us know through the comments section!

2016-04-08 #gear #lifestyle #film-photography #infrared-photography #infrared-films #listicle

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10 Comments

hervinsyah · 2016-04-09 00:22
WHAAATTT??? It means we should using amber filter when using lomochrome purple?
shokijay · 2016-04-09 07:37
How about Rollei IR400. I've just bought a roll of 35mm to try when the trees are in full leaf. I have an R72 filter, which should work ok. I was impressed by the images on www.martinzimelka.com/pages/Rollei_Infrared_400.html
duffman · 2016-04-09 15:07
Kodak EI and the FPP color infrared (kodak aerochrome 1443)
sharpwaveripple · 2016-04-09 19:47
@shokijay I'm a huge fan of Rollei's IR400; it's a little more muted in effect than efke 820ir and Kodak HIE, but the grain character is very pleasing... In fact, infrared aside, it may be one of my favourite regular monochrome films when used without a filter!
cyberpunkrocker · 2016-04-10 06:11
Rollei Infrared 400, of course
shokijay · 2016-04-10 08:42
@sharpwaveripple good results without a filter? That is food for thought, thank you for the tip.
paddyreason · 2016-06-15 19:58
Lomography - all of the film users I know are gagging and begging for a colour infra red film. I have just spent a fortune importing a role of Aerochrome from FPP in USA. Surely you can get someone to make it for you as I am sure there is a demand and unlike Ecktachrome 400 which is E4, Aerochrome is E6 which can still be done in the high street labs. Please have a look.
gueaut · 2016-11-10 17:19
@paddyreason How does the FPP Film compare? I've heard about it and I've been wanting to try it out.
paddyreason · 2016-11-11 03:46
Hi, thanks for the Q. I haven't been able to use it yet as on reading the instructions for use, it warns against using an SLR with DX coding built in i.e Canon EOS due to Internal LEDs which might cause fogging. I am going to borrow an old completely manual SLR but it is staying in the fridge until then. Oddly, I shot all my old Ektachrome IR Colour on an EOS in the 90s without an issue and that had auto DX (I have poseted some scans of these pictures).
645fan · 2020-02-17 06:10
"Lomography recreated the film with the Lomochrome Purple 400." If only that was true. Nice as the Purple is (I've shot 2 rolls of it), the results are nothing like Aerochrome. Foliage shot on Purple is, well, purple, and skies are green. On Aerochrome, foliage is vivid red and skies remain blue. Now if you really DO ever create a C41 film that mimics the E6 Aerochrome, I don't think you'd be able to keep up with demand, it would be that popular.