We test the suitability of using the 400D with a Hoya R72 filter to shoot infrared photography without camera modifications
In our ongoing testing of digital cameras and their suitability for infrared work we come to the Canon 400D/Rebel XTi.
This is a great camera. I own one and love it.
But how does it go at infrared photography?
The RAW image the camera produces using a Hoya R72 filter – 15 seconds f5.6 and 100ISO.
Red
Green
Blue
As you can see from the exposure, the 400D seems to be less sensitive to IR than the 350D was, tthe exposures being quite long.
Now let’s look at the noise increase as we vary the ISO.
100ISO
200ISO
400ISO
800ISO
1600ISO
Now, to further explore noise, let’s look at the noise in the individual channels at three ISO settings
100ISO
Red
Green
Blue
400ISO
Red
Green
Blue
1600ISO
Red
Green
Blue
As you can see, the 400D has strong differences in exposure between the three color channels.
Below are some sample shots taken with the 400D that illustrate that it is quite capable of being used for IR photography, provided you do not mind a long exposure. All these were converted from the green channel.
Nice, informative article.
Which lens was this with? The 18-55 EF-S? I know there are issues with certain lenses and I want to know whether the 18-55 has the ‘hotspot’ issue.
Found your link from Velocity Reviews and agree that you could have used the red channel if you’d exposded a few stops less, allowing you to use shorter exposure times.
I like the blurry effect on the willow tree, presumably due to the wind!