Comments on: Help Save Kodak HIE-135 Infrared Film

By: Toni

Toni — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:41:01 +0000

I’ve been teaching B/W photography for 11 years. My students love working with HIE. It’s sad to think that this too will become history. It was much cheaper and easer to work with than ANY of the other films. It comes down to money and Kodak’s ability to survive in a digital world. I know I would have continued to teach IR for years to come if it were still available.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:49:26 +0000

Maybe we should solicite Ilford to make really good IR film once a year like they do with special order LF sheet film… I am looking for IR film if anyone has a source they can point me to.

By: Zsoltique

Zsoltique — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:15:34 +0000

Hi Guys,

There’s not much we can do, HIE seems to be gone, but there is a quite lovely digital alternative, actually a Photoshop plug-in:

Alien Skin Software: Exposure 2

http://www.alienskin.com/exposure/

A great film simualtion, trying to recreat some of the most popular films, including our dear Kodak HIE (and much more!).

Check this image (move cursor over the image to see before/after)

http://www.alienskin.com/exposure/filters/infrared.html

Regards,

Zsoltique

By: Kelly Fitzgerald

Kelly Fitzgerald — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:08:12 +0000

Hi Eric, yes, you are right … the auctions do seem to be dwindling down. I’ve heard the last batch made by Kodak has an expiration date of 02/2009. Thank you for checking out my gallery. I will use these rolls wisely indeed. The one thing I will not miss though … is going through airport security with this film. :o) I have to go through 5 on this next trip. I am so looking forward to shooting this HIE film!

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:04:06 +0000

Congrats on finding those. It appears the auctions are dwindling down. BTW, you have a great gallery. I hope your new film helps expand it further. Use them wisely . . . I fear an end to the supply (even secondhand) is coming soon.

By: Kelly Fitzgerald

Kelly Fitzgerald — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:50:22 +0000

I just purchased 9 rolls of HIE infrared film on ebay! THANK GOD! Nothing compares to this film. I have done recent tests on the efke and Rollie 120mm infrared film … they just do not compare to me and I just do not care for the results. I am just grateful that some photographers are now selling their left over HIE on ebay (yes, for a nice profit). Now, I can continue on with my body of work using this beautiful film.

By: henry

henry — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:58:52 +0000

well, do you know where I can purchase remaining film supplies? I am down to my last 5 rolls!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:29:26 +0000

I have shot every single infrared film I can get my hands on, and HIE is still the best hands down. I have been shooting nudes with HIE for years, and nothing compares. Please bring back!

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:42:45 +0000

@Joseph – Wow! $40-50 a roll?! I’ve still got a roll in the fridge. Hmmm…

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:35:03 +0000

Considering that, at the moment, HIE is going for $40-50 a roll on eBay, you wonder if Kodak might ponder this decision a while longer. It’s hard to compute how much demand that reflects, though. The current supply has no liquidity.

I love HIE and would shoot it regularly if it were still available. At $40 a roll it’s “not available.”

Rollei 400 is a pretty good film, although it lacks the extended response of HIE. Perhaps if there were a 35mm version w/o the antihalation backing …? It’s fast enough that you can get a strong Wood effect at a reasonable shutter speed (handheld) through an 89-series filter; the result looks similar to HIE exposed through a 25 or 29. So, you know, it’s not the end of the world, because there are alternatives. Pity Polaroid shooters, because for some Polaroid processes (like transfers, which largely don’t work with Fuji instant film), there is no alternative.