Canon 40D Infrared Photography Tests

We test the 40D with a Hoya R72 filter for infrared capability.
The Canon 40D (available from B&H Photo) is an impressive camera. But how does it handle infrared photography? For these tests we used a Hoya R72 filter on the camera and mounted it on a solid tripod and used a cable release.

The resulting images show that the 40D is capable of great IR photography provided you are in no hurry.

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
This is how the image looks straight from the camera. The exposure was 100ISO, f4 and 30 seconds

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
The original image

An optimized image converted from the red channel:
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

From the green:
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

From the blue:
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

As you can see, image quality can be excellent.

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
This image was taken with an exposure of 30 seconds and f4 at 100ISO.

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
At this exposure the red channel is over exposed.

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
The green channel is somewhat under exposed.

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D
As is the blue channel.

And for an examination of image noise. The first image in each pair is the straight image, the second is the green channel.

100ISO
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

200ISO
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

400ISO
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

800ISO
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

1600ISO
Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

Infrared photography with the Canon 40D

As you can see, the 40D is a very capable infrared camera.

7 thoughts on “Canon 40D Infrared Photography Tests”

  1. Couldn’t see the pictures i think is an interesting article about IR photography but no pictures!

  2. I really appreciate it, amazing article, and incredible pictures, I´m still trying to do the same with my camera but i just get black pictures.
    Again thank you very much, digimaker is an amazing place to learn and have an amazing time reading.

  3. I really appreciate it, amazing article, and incredible pictures, I´m still trying to do the same with my camera but i just get black pictures.
    Again thank you very much, digimaker is an amazing place to learn and have an amazing time reading.

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