[Leica] [OM] Madrona in infrared

[Peter Klein]

Thanks, Nathan (and Don). Actually, the aperture was f/5.6, but the dark 
filter makes that camera think the aperture was narrower. Focusing is 
not difficult once you know the trick. Do a one-time test on a tripod. 
Set an f/2 or f/1.4 lens to f/2.8 (this minimizes any focus shift wide 
open). Focus on something and note the lens' distance scale. Then shoot 
with that point on the distance scale set to each of several depth of 
field marks to the right of the normal focusing arrow. Pick the DOF mark 
that is in best focus, and use that from them on. Interpolate if two DOF 
marks are equally good. My 35 Summicron IV focused IR best at the f/2 
mark, so I've used that for my pictures. I later noticed that my old 50 
Summitar has an IR indicator at the same f/2 mark.

Yes, those Pacific Madronas are beautiful. I'd never seen anything like 
them until I came to this region. I've viewed your IR pictures with 
pleasure, too. Those scrubby plants from your arid region reflect more 
IR that one might think.  Here, the trick is to concentrate on deciduous 
trees.  Pines and firs render much darker, so they are good for showing 
contrast with the leafy trees.  But hillsides with only evergreen trees 
don't look much different than with regular B&W.  Blue skies with puffy 
clouds are great no matter what the vegetation.

--Peter

 > These are both excellent, Peter. I especially like the first one. You 
do a
 > better job focusing than I (well, I see that you use f16, at least 
according
 > to the exif, which would provide lots of DOF).
 >
 > Cheers,
 > Nathan
 >
 > Nathan Wajsman
 >
 > > On 29 Aug 2020, at 07:05, Peter Klein <boulanger.croissant at 
gmail.com>
 > > wrote:
 > >
 > > The Madrona tree has red bark which peels away to reveal light
 > > green-skinned wood underneath. The green fairly glows in infrared.
 > > <https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at
 > > N04/50280841297/in/dateposted-public/>
 > >
 > > A clear view south-southwest over the cliffs to Puget Sound.  Most 
of the
 > > trees are deciduous, and appear white in IR. Evergreen trees render 
quite
 > > a bit darker.
 > > <https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at
 > > N04/50279995338/in/dateposted-public/>
 > >
 > > Leica M8 with 35/2 Summicron IV and R72 IR filter. Click to view 
bigger.
 > > Enjoy!
 > > --Peter