infrared film

Spectral Sensitivity of B&W Film – A Deep Dive into Orthochromatic, Panchromatic and All the Rest

Even if you’re new to film photography, you’ve probably heard about the various types of B&W emulsions which are out there: orthochromatic, panchromatic, infrared and so on. If you’re a bit more experienced – or just a nerd – you might even know what these terms mean. They refer to different spectral sensitivities – how sensitive the film is to different wavelengths (colours) of light.

The term spectral sensitivity might sound boring and/or scary – the kind of jargon which photography veterans use to bamboozle and discourage newbies. In this article, I’ll try to demystify the term, and to explain how an understanding of film characteristics can help us get the kind of results we want.

There are so many different types of B&W film out there. Exploring their variety and complexity can expand our creative options. Besides, it’s fun!

Kodak HIE

Shooting a roll of Kodak HIE infrared film with a Nikon F-301 – by Charles Higham.

I’ve wanted to shoot Kodak HIE High-Speed Infrared film for some time. Discontinued in 2007, it became known for producing images with other-worldly qualities through its sensitivity to IR wavelengths up to around 900nm, which few if any other films could match. It also didn’t have the anti-halation backing found in other films resulting in …

Shooting a roll of Kodak HIE infrared film with a Nikon F-301 – by Charles Higham. Read More

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