In this session, our speaker, Richard Chalfal will discuss infrared photography with the M8.

The spectral sensitivity of the eye is about 400nm (nanometers) in the blue to about 700nm in the red. But the spectral sensitivity of a CMOS sensor is about 350nm in the blue to about 1050nm in the infrared. 

The sensitivity in the infrared (IR) past 700nm is blocked by an IR absorbing filter in the camera. But the M8 has a weak filter that passes a fair amount of IR light. The IR light that is “leaked” can be used by attaching a filter to the lens that blocks visible light. 

On most cameras you would need to use a tripod and take a long exposure with a visible light blocking filter. But on an M8 you can hand hold the camera to get stunning IR photos. 

We will discuss how to set up your camera, choosing and focusing lenses and we will discuss filter choices.  Then we will show images taken with various strength IR pass filters so you can start using your M8 again. 

About our speaker:

Richard Chalfan was shown his uncle’s new M3 when he was 10 years old and was hooked, even though he wasn’t allowed to touch it!  It was 25 more years before he owned his first Leica, a IIIf, but it was a start.

Richard was particularly inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson’s early work with a Leica A. He started shooting a model A, using ASA 25 and slower film, to explore what it would have been like to use a Leica around 1930. That led to his using almost all of the 22 models of Leicas he now owns. Richard, one of LHSA’s “ask an Expert” panelists, enjoys sharing the experiences and encourages others to do the same.