Is it possoble to sensitize a comercial film for infrared?

narigas2006 · Mar 18, 2019

Can I use dyes that sensitize orto films to infrared with the emulsion already applied on the acetate?

trendland · Mar 18, 2019

narigas2006 said:
Can I use dyes that sensitize orto films to infrared with the emulsion already applied on the acetate?

Sure you can! What you just need is a IR spectral sensitive dye with a good accumulation from characteristics to your film (you still have and want to use )!
The emulsion you have on the acetate would get this additional layer (not the best way - because this additional layer is not integrated at the best place - but wy not?)
The characteristics of such film emulsion optimazion can come a bit poore!
If you will do this comercially it is the best quality if you order it to a traditional manufacturer!
With such form of highest scale production you have a real tasc to come on the economical side!
(Your film would be allways more expensive in comparison the established IR sensitive Films)

But before starting a millions USD investment you should try out if your ortho film perhaps have a additional IR sensitivly (that can be cheeaper for you) : black filter!

with regards

Peltigera · Mar 18, 2019

If you have access to the dyes, there is an easy way to find out - and then you can report back to us.

trendland · Mar 18, 2019

narigas2006 said:
Can I use dyes that sensitize orto films to infrared with the emulsion already applied on the acetate?

I had in mind that the Rollei Ortho 25 (the old one) had a "little bit" spectral IR sensitivly!
But from a short look (it has 610nm max) it isn't enough!
But other Rollei Films have IR characteristics beside the expensive "real IR Films"!
What you possible need is something like the discontinued Kodak IR film (HIR)!

I would state such IR sensitivity is real expensive (in an industrial manufacturing) -
so if you can manage 900nm don't tell here on Photrio your results!

Bring out that kit then !

with regards

J 3 · Mar 31, 2019

From memory - It is possible, but the dyes are: 1) Expensive to purchase in single gram quantities, 2) Often carcinogenic 3) Many of them have quite poor shelf life. Other than that it's quite possible to do and there information out there on getting started.

koraks · Mar 31, 2019

trendland said:
But other Rollei Films have IR characteristics beside the expensive "real IR Films"

The Rollei Retro films, that is. Not the RPX line.

Lachlan Young · Mar 31, 2019

The simplest answer is: potentially yes, but it will be nowhere near as good as incorporating the dyes in the emulsion before coating - this was discovered way back in the early days of dye sensitisation in the 19th century. As others have said, IR sensitising dyes are astronomically expensive & have poor shelf lives.

tomkatf · Mar 31, 2019

Fascinating... https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/materials-science/material-science-products.html?TablePage=9540639

trendland · Apr 1, 2019

koraks said:
The Rollei Retro films, that is. Not the RPX line.

I know - perhaps it was stated unclear , again :

RPX/APX = noting to do with IR sensitifity

Retro = Retro 80s/Superpan200 and others (the aereal films) all have IR spectral sensitives
(look at the technical parameters)

Rollei IR = real great IR sensitives (more than Ilford SFX for example)

.....but all this is nothing in comparison of the discontinued Kodak HIE!

with regards

Is it possoble to sensitize a comercial film for infrared?

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