DPanswers

IR and Lenses

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Fixed Focal Length Lenses
3. Zoom Lenses

1. Introduction

Typical hot spot.

In addition to the sensitivity of the sensor the quality of digtal infrared depends on the characteristic of the lens.

For example, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 typically produces a pronounced hot spot as can be seen in the sample picture to the right. The hot spot is a result of internal reflections within the lens produced by the lens' coatings. Some types of coating are not transparent to infrared wave­lengths.

Also note that almost any lens will exhibit more flare and ghosting at infrared wavelengths, compared to when it is used to capture visible light.

Below is a preliminary list of various lenses and whether they are suitable for digital infrared or not. The list is not a result of systematic testing, but com­piled from observations submitted by readers. The lenses listed in the intermediate category - May produce a hot spot, etc. - are those where I have inconsistent reports, or where the hot spot, flare and/or ghosting is so unobtrusive that modest post-processing will clear things up.

If you want to add to the list, or comment on one of the entries, please use the comment facility in my blog. If you want to read the original comments by the testers, and not just the summary below, the blog is also the place to look.

The recommended way of testing a lens' susceptibilty to the hot spot problem is to make an IR photograph of a sheet of white plain typing paper.

2. Fixed Focal Length Lenses

Recommended for IR

• Asahi Super-Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 MF (*)
• Canon EF 28 mm f/2.8
• Canon EF 35 mm f/2.0 (*)
• Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 MKI
• Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 MKII
• Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM
• Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro
• Canon EF 135 mm f/2.0 L
• Carl Zeiss 25 mm f/2.8 (for Contax)
• Contax-Zeiss 50 mm f/1.7
• Lensbaby 50 mm f/2.8
• Nikon 14 mm f/2.8 AF ED
• Nikon 20 mm f/2.8 AF-D
• Nikon 20 mm f/3.5 AI-S
• Nikon 28 mm f/3.5 PC AI-S
• Nikon 50 mm f/1.4 AF-D
• Nikon 85 mm f/1.8 Pre-AI MF (*)
• Peleng 8 mm fisheye
• Phoenix 100 mm f/3.5 macro
• Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 EX DG macro (*)
• Vivitar 24 mm f/2.8 MF (*)

May produce a hot spot, etc.

• Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8
• Canon EF 200 mm f/2.8 L

Gives hot spot

• Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8
• Canon EF 24 mm f/2.8
• Canon EF 50 mm f/1.4
• Canon EF 50 mm f/2.5 macro
• Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50 mm f/1.4 (for Contax)
• Carl Zeiss 85 mm f/2.8 (for Contax)
• Nikon 35 mm f/1.8 G AF-S DX
• Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 AF-D
• Sigma 30 mm f/1.4

3. Zoom Lenses

Recommended for IR

• Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
• Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4 L
• Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8 L
• Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4.0 IS L
• Canon EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
• Canon EF 70-200 mm f/4.0 L
• Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4.0-5.6 IS
• Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.0-5.6 IS L
• Nikon 14-24 mm f/2.8 G AF-S ED
• Nikon 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR DX
• Nikon 17-55 mm f/2.8 G ED IF AF-S DX
• Nikon 18-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 ED AF-D
• Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 G AF-S ED DX
• Nikon 24-70 mm f/3.5-5.6 UC
• Nikon 28-70 mm f/2.8 D ED AF-S
• Nikon 35-70 mm f/2.8 AF-D
• Nikon 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 AF (1986) (*)
• Nikon 35-135 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
• Nikon 70-210 mm f/4.0-5.6 AF-D
• Nikon 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED IF AF-S VR
• Sigma 12-24 mm f/4.5-5.6 EX
• Sigma 18-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 DC (*)
• Sigma 55-200 mm f/4.0.5.6 DC (*)

May produce a hot spot, etc.

• Nikon 18-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S G ED DX
• Nikon 24-70 mm f/2.8 G ED AF-S
• Sigma 10-20 mm f/4.0-5.6 EX DC HSM
• Sigma 70-200 mm f/2.8
• Tokina 11-16 mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX

Gives hot spot

• Canon EF 16-35 mm f/2.8 L
• Canon EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
• Canon EF 24-85 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
• Canon EF 28-70 mm f/2.8 L
• Canon EF 35-80 f/4.0-5.6
• Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L IS
• Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50 mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH
• Nikon 12-24 mm f/4.0 G IF ED AF-S DX
• Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8 EX
• Tamron 17-35 mm f/2.8-4.0 SP AF Di
• Tamron 17-50 mm f/2.8 SP AF XR Di
• Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR (IF) Di-II
• Tamron 28-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR (IF) Di LD SP Macro
• Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.0-5.6 AF LD macro
• Tokina 12-24 mm f/4.0
• Tokina 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.3 SZ-X MF

Lenses marked with a (*) has been tested by me.

If you want to add a lens, use the blog!

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