We present observations in JHK passbands for 12 barred galaxies and in
BI passbands for 9 galaxies in order to study isophotal twists in ear
ly- and late-type barred spirals. We also summarize previous observati
ons and examine high-resolution atlas images to compile data on twists
as a function of Hubble type. Twists have been detected only in early
-type spirals. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that only
early-type bars have inner Lindblad resonances and that twists are as
sociated with ILRs. The transition occurs around type SBbc and paralle
ls the transition from bars with relatively flat intensity profiles to
bars with exponential profiles in later types. (C) 1996 American Astr
onomical Society.