calling photography buffs...

[shiato storm]

just wondering if anyone out there is familiar with filters for photography...
I have recently bought an Ilford SFX film as a 'try it and see' attempt at infrared [black and white] photography. I also got myself the SFX filter recommended to get the best effect from the film, as it isn't strictly speaking a true IR film, merely a 'normal' with extended sensitivity.
now, this new filter is 75mmx75mm and designed to fit into Cokin's P system filter holder - the only thing is is that this filter is a gel sheet [plastic sheet] and not as I was hoping a sturdy bit of coated glass or thicker plastic...
is there a way of getting something so as to mount it in glass at all? a holder of sorts? as that is by far the best way to keep it protected and clean I am thinking...
any help or suggestions gratefully received!!

[Rave]

I only ever sold a couple of those but IIRC they're essentially a thin (albeit thick enough to stay flat), circular bit of gel with a square plastic surround? You could glue it into a P-Series Holder and then glue a clear (or UV, or whatever) filter on the other side of it as protection. Still, they're cheap enough that you can afford to buy a new one every so often, and although I was always fairly insistent on lens cleanliness, I eventually came to the conclusion that dust/dirt on lenses (on the front of them at least) and filters makes very little difference to picture quality. I have some very sharp pictures from lenses made in the 60s, which in the intervening period have accumulated a lot of dust between the elements....

Rich :¬)

[shiato storm]

well, the thing is Ilford went out of business the other week so I'm rather keen to not have to buy a new one every so often as, quite simply, I may not be able to!!

[Tom]

buy a stockpile now!!!

[shiato storm]

fair point but no.

[Rave]

well, the thing is Ilford went out of business the other week so I'm rather keen to not have to buy a new one every so often as, quite simply, I may not be able to!!

I didn't know that.

Rich :¬)

[shiato storm]

yeah, I love b+w, far greater impact than colour I feel...oh well, i need to go and get some paper anyway cause I'm printing tonight...better hope its in stock!
but in the mean time here's an example my work, taken in somerset this summer - between bouts of rain!
http://hamishsphotos.fotopic.net/p6828942.html

[sybrows]

well, the thing is Ilford went out of business the other week so I'm rather keen to not have to buy a new one every so often as, quite simply, I may not be able to!!

Really I did'nt know that. My mum used to have a dark room and all the things that she used for Photography were from Ilford, I thought they had the b+w market sealed?

[shiato storm]

yeah me too but digital has kicked them hard and they can't keep it up. sucks if you ask me cause b+W is what people start on when they get into photography...