M8 Vs. M9 IR photography

[1joel1]

I hope that this hasn't been brought up before, but I can't find a specific answer to my question.

Is there any advantage using the M8 for IR photography over using the M9? Do both sensors have the same IR response as they both lack the AA filter?

Thanks in Advance,

Joel

[1joel1]

Ok, I just saw that other M9 thread, but I'm wondering what specifically the difference is with the sensors. I'm considering an M9, but don't want to give up the M8.

TIA,

Joel

[jtm6]

Originally Posted by 1joel1

Do both sensors have the same IR response as they both lack the AA filter?

The AA filter doesn't affect the amount of IR passing to the sensor, but an IR-blocking filter over the sensor does. The M8 is more sensitive to IR than the M9 because of the differences in the IR-blocking filter.

[1joel1]

Thanks for the explanation!

Joel

[willie_901]

Irwin Puts compares the IR response of the M8 and M9 on his web site.

If I remember, the M9's IR filter is necessarily a bit thin and the IR response is not trivial.

Of course the M8 has a much greater air response as it has no IR filter in front of the sensor at all.

[gshybrid]

I've shot quite a bit of IR with both cameras.... the M8 is much much better. I often just left the M8 in ae mode and got great exposures. I mostly used a CV15mm. On sunny days I was able to use 1/60th at f4, iso 640 allowing for hand held shots. The M9 works but for the same exposure I use a 35 summicron at iso 640 shutter 1/15th at f2. The DOF on the 15 was quite a bit deeper on the 15. I have examples from both cameras here

[1joel1]

Ah, perfect as I have the 15mm lens also and was planning on using it when I experiment with IR on my M8. I think that 15 is underrated and really works well on the M8. I haven't heard about M9 usage, but with the smaller sensor M8, it has performed beautifully.

Thanks for sharing your Flikr pics. Beautiful work.

Joel

[willie_901]

Different lenses can have different IR transmission efficiencies because the glass composition is different.

Sone lenses have IR hot spots as well.

[gshybrid]

I was using the newer 15 with 52mm filter threads which worked well since the Hoya r72 filter is available in that size. I have to use a step up ring to get a filter on my 35 summicron. I tried the cv 21 mm on my M9 but I wasn't that happy with the results. To avoid center hot spots I shoot wide open which worked great on the cv15 but on the summicron the DOF is razor thin and it's almost impossible to focus with out bracketing. I just sold a couple of the IR shots that I made with the M8 and since the prices are come down I've decided to pick up a used M8 just as a dedicated IR camera.

Originally Posted by 1joel1

Ah, perfect as I have the 15mm lens also and was planning on using it when I experiment with IR on my M8. I think that 15 is underrated and really works well on the M8. I haven't heard about M9 usage, but with the smaller sensor M8, it has performed beautifully.

Thanks for sharing your Flikr pics. Beautiful work.

Joel

[1joel1]

I was thinking exactly the same thing as far as keeping the M8 for IR work. I plan to get an M9 or ME in the near future (a year or 2) and the M8 can be my poor man's MM, but for IR.

I have the B+W 092 for my Zeiss 50mm Planar and was going to start with that and see how it goes, but I think I'll pick up the 52mm and experiment with the 15 as well.

I lived in Seattle for 12 years so am familiar with some of those locations.

Which IR photos did you sell?

Joel

[gshybrid]

I regret selling my M8 but I had to to afford the M9. I'm on a waiting list for the new M and I'll be selling the M9 then... someone will get a good deal because I think there will be a lot of M9s on the market once the M is released. I'm hoping the prices on M8s will plummet as well.

I sold the printing rights for a couple of the shots in Paris to a German poster distributer. We're still negotiating royalties but they did a test run so I get my initial price. They like the IR shots and want to establish a relationship and since all the shots they liked were shot with the M8 it's definitely worth the expense a picking up another one.

Originally Posted by 1joel1

I was thinking exactly the same thing as far as keeping the M8 for IR work. I plan to get an M9 or ME in the near future (a year or 2) and the M8 can be my poor man's MM, but for IR.

I have the B+W 092 for my Zeiss 50mm Planar and was going to start with that and see how it goes, but I think I'll pick up the 52mm and experiment with the 15 as well.

I lived in Seattle for 12 years so am familiar with some of those locations.

Which IR photos did you sell?

Joel

[Tom Niblick]

Originally Posted by gshybrid

I regret selling my M8 but I had to to afford the M9. I'm on a waiting list for the new M and I'll be selling the M9 then... someone will get a good deal because I think there will be a lot of M9s on the market once the M is released. I'm hoping the prices on M8s will plummet as well.

I sold the printing rights for a couple of the shots in Paris to a German poster distributer. We're still negotiating royalties but they did a test run so I get my initial price. They like the IR shots and want to establish a relationship and since all the shots they liked were shot with the M8 it's definitely worth the expense a picking up another one.

I regret selling my M8 as well. I wanted to keep it just for taking IR and b&w photos but the M9 was such as stretch - especially in the midst of a recession - that a lot of gear had to go. Right now, I'm saving for a Monochrom but I may just grab a nice M8.2 and spend the difference on glass.

[1joel1]

Well, I sold my R-D1 so that I could buy my M8 earlier in the year and figured I'd sell the M8 to buy an M9 when I can afford to. However, after using the M8 and seeing the IR imagery, I think that it is a keeper and will try to buy an M9 or ME when I can. I've spent my "extra" money already this year on other fun stuff, so it'll have to be next year.

As for the new M, I'm not too intrigued as I think the M9 sensor will be perfect for what I want to do. It will be interesting to see how it compares when it comes out, but for now, I'm wishing for the M9.

Thanks for everyones input.

Joel

[designed]

Good timing with this thread, I was just wondering about this. My motivation is to extract the last untapped potentials of my M8 after reading some of the M Monochrom reviews. "IR? The M8 was rather good at that if I'm not mistaken"

I guess I'll be looking for some IR filters next.