Infrared Film in Zero Image Pinhole

Roseha · Mar 23, 2016

Hi, I have just received a Zero Image 2000 Back to Nature Pinhole with the filter attachment and would like to try some infrared film if possible with a Hoya 72 filter. I have been using pinhole apps to calculate exposure so far and have been getting decent results, but I am wondering first what extra exposure I might need (for Rollei 400 for example) and second, whether the red window should be covered. I have some aluminum tape I purchased awhile back for this purpose (I used it on my Konica Hexar to cover the film ID window) so is it best to cover the red window and estimate the film spacing by the turns? Thanks

MrBrowning · Mar 23, 2016

In regards to the window. I used my holga with Retro 80s without issue and I would guess Rollei 400 would be the same.

Also the last time I shot IR (Maco IR820) in a pinhole camera my exposure time was something like 16 minutes.

Roseha · Mar 23, 2016

Thanks very much, I'll see which IR films I have in the freezer, I do have some Efke/Maco I haven't used. Maybe also some Rollei.

MrBrowning · Mar 23, 2016

Roseha said:
Thanks very much, I'll see which IR films I have in the freezer, I do have some Efke/Maco I haven't used. Maybe also some Rollei.

Good luck.

Also to be clear the Maco I was shooting was 4x5 and I'm not sure how well that would react to leaving the window uncovered (assuming 120 size).

Roseha · Mar 23, 2016

Thanks again, I guess I can try the Ekfe with another camera. Looks like I need to order more of the Rollei then.

Roseha · Apr 25, 2016

Sorry for the double post, but I am loading Rollei 400 infrared into my Zero Image 2000 and I don't see any frame numbering on the backing paper, only what appears to be the start mark. I am wondering if this film doesn't have frame numbers? Any suggestions on the number of turns to make between 6x6 frames? Thanks much.

MrBrowning · Apr 25, 2016

The frame numbers are beyond the start mark. Once you get the roll started just watch the red window on back of the camera until you get to the number. If the camera doesn't have a red window on back I'm not sure as i've never used a Zero Image camera before.

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 25, 2016

Your baseline exposure with any Zero Image pinhole camera wll be long-ish to start off with. The filter you plan to use is almost opaque so you are looking at a potentially long exposure of an hour or more, not minutes with IR or near-IR film. For example with ISO100 film on a bright sunny day with a Zero Image 6x9 multiformat pinhole, my metered exposure is 10 f19, equating to around 15 seconds; no filter is used. BTW, a handheld meter is not really effective for IR because of the spectrum difference, but aside from that, your major consideration is to plan for a very long exposure with IR film in a pinhole camera with a typically 0.017mm pinhole.

Don't apply any adhesive stuff to Zero Image pinhole cameras (any of the traditional or back-to-nature series) as this will dramatically damage the finish (coating). The red windows provide sufficient protection for near-IR film but not true IR film.

Roseha · Apr 25, 2016

Thanks MrBrowning! It does have a red window, but I didn't see any number and wondered if Rollei just hadn't used them so I stopped winding for the moment. I'll continue when I get a chance (and the sun comes back...). I've seen some great infrared/pinhole images so would like to try it.

Roseha · Apr 25, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Your baseline exposure with any Zero Image pinhole camera wll be long-ish to start off with. The filter you plan to use is almost opaque so you are looking at a potentially long exposure of an hour or more, not minutes with IR or near-IR film. For example with ISO100 film on a bright sunny day with a Zero Image 6x9 multiformat pinhole, my metered exposure is 10 f19, equating to around 15 seconds; no filter is used. BTW, a handheld meter is not really effective for IR because of the spectrum difference, but aside from that, your major consideration is to plan for a very long exposure with IR film in a pinhole camera with a typically 0.017mm pinhole.

Don't apply any adhesive stuff to Zero Image pinhole cameras (any of the traditional or back-to-nature series) as this will dramatically damage the finish (coating). The red windows provide sufficient protection for near-IR film but not true IR film.

Okay, thanks Poisson Du Jour. I was not able to pursue anything today due to weather but will keep all this in mind.

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 26, 2016

By the way, the exposure scale fitted to all Zero Image pinhole cameras is much easier and accurate than any of the web references for pinhole exposure.

Roseha · Apr 27, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
By the way, the exposure scale fitted to all Zero Image pinhole cameras is much easier and accurate than any of the web references for pinhole exposure.

Thanks again for your help.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 27, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
By the way, the exposure scale fitted to all Zero Image pinhole cameras is much easier and accurate than any of the web references for pinhole exposure.

It would be nice if reciprocity were taken into account on that exposure dial, but perhaps that would be muddying the waters, so to speak.

Instead, they give this guide:

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 28, 2016

In real practice reciprocity can often be a lot more than what Mr Au has recommended (Mr Au is much, much more of a craftsman than a photographer), but the published figures are a good starting point. It's a good idea to get the hang of a film's reciprocity characteristics in a normal camera at extended exposures, taking notes before moving on to the Zero Image pinholes where reciprocity is often a balancing act.

Infrared Film in Zero Image Pinhole

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