Is normal black and white film sensitive to infrared light?

Question

Is normal black and white film, such as Kodak T-Max or Ilford HP5 sensitive to a weak infrared light souce like one used on night vision goggles? More importantly, what about aerial-type films?

To clarify, I do not want to expose the film using an infrared source. I want to use night vison goggles to help me roll some large format film onto rollers in a completely dark room. The night vison goggles have a very small infrared light that is nearly invisible to the human eye. Will using these goggles partially expose the film, either normal black and white or aerial black and white?

Answer 1

No, you'd need infrared film. Otherwise, cameras that use infrared scans to detect exposure numbers would ruin all film, not just infrared.

Answer 2

All film is slightly effected by infrared as well as UV. However, to emphasize the effect, you will need to use a deep red filter.

Keep in mind, you may not be able to use the exposure as the lens will not focus the light in the same point on film and that part may become more fuzzy.

Answer 3

No. Infrared light is beyond the visible spectrum and requires infrared film and a special filter for 35mm cameras.

If you want to try infrared with your digital camera it will probably have to be modified which is NOT a "do it yourself" project. Or, for about $1,800.00 you can have the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR digital infrared-only camera.

Answer 4

Most film should be no problem with those goggles. However, as each film does vary in IR sensitivity it would be best to check with the manufacturer of each film you are using.