- This topic is empty.
Digital Infrared Camera Conversions
-
Hi All,
Does anyone have any experience with digital cameras converted to shoot IR ?
I have an older, unused DSLR (Nikon D50) lying around, and have been considering having it converted to IR.
From what I’ve seen, conversions can tend to be pricey, with conversion services, on the whole, tending to based in the US.
So really putting a call out for any advice/ recommendations for having a camera converted to IR, anybody in Ireland or the UK that offer conversion services, or really just any advice on IR in general..
Damien
I have come across an infra-red adapter (night vision) type lens for canon DSLRs which would mean that you wouldn’t have to do any conversion that could work for you maybe?
Sounds funky.. have you got a link ?
One of the main appeals for conversion is that of hand-holdable shutter speeds (infra-red filters on the lens send exposure times into the minutes), but if this didn’t have any impact, it could be worth considering..
Of course, the other appealing factor is making an unused camera useable again..
Damien
Ouch, thats a chunky lens.. think its back to the infrared conversion for me!
Light has always been a necessary element for me, and in reality with most camera set-ups am looking for nothing more chunky or heavy than a small- mid sized slr with a prime lens attached..
Been reading up on the conversion process from the life pixel tutorial out there, and getting fairly brave at this point.. although I might allow myself have sense talked into me should it be possible to get the camera converted for something like €150..
Damien
Give Martin on here a shout I think he had one converted and should be able to give you advice
Cathal
Robert – thanks for the link, missed your post earlier. They seem to come recommended, only thing seems to be price £250 per conversion which is a little out of my bounds at the moment. €300- €350 seems to be the norm, which has me looking at the option of doing it myself, from one of the tutorials on the web..
Cathal – I knew someone here was crazy enough to have probably done so already!
I converted my G3 my sefl using some screwdrivers off ebay but i couldnt make a replacement clear filtert that i was happy with so the camera is short sighted but that was corrected using a addon wideangle lens.
Using these instructions http://www.lifepixel.com/ir-tutorials/canon-powershot-g3-digital-infrared-conversion-instructions.htm
with a R72 in bright sunlight your talking 800-1250 of a sec down to a 5oth of a sec on a cloudy day indoors at iso 100
Using a 950 filter
I think IR photography is good fun but i like to try different things so i cant justify blowing a load of money on a camera thats a one trick pony so to speak.
Pitmatic – can you elaborate on what you did with your G3 ? Did you replace the sensor IR-blocking filter with an IR filter, or did you simply use it for infrared with a filter in front of the lens ?
At this point I’m leaning towards performing a conversion on my D50 myself using the lifepixel tutorial on the web. For the most part the conversion is mainly unscrewing various parts of the camera to get to the sensor, whereby you remove the IR blocking filter in front of it, and replace it with an IR filter. Only part that makes me nervous is there are 2 parts that need to be de-soldered to get to the sensor, and obviously resoldered again when you’re done.
2 things I’m curious about, before I consider any DIY conversion effort are:
(i) Infrared filters for the sensor – can you get these anywhere reasonably ? Most conversion services seem to use some sort of custom-made filter, with lifepixel selling them for $180, which I find a ridiculous price to be honest
(ii) Focussing. the better conversion services seem to offer re-adjustment of the sensor so your camera will focus correctly for infrared, as the infrared focus point is slightly different than the normal focus point in lenses/ cameras. The sites that elaborate on this mention the use of shims, i.e. spacers, to correct the sensor position so it is correct for infrared focussing. This I’m not so sure about, and how I would go about doing this myself, should anyone have any insights..
Damien
What I did was I removed the the hot mirror but did not replace it with clear glass as per some sites as I found the glass I was using to replace it (cut on a tile cutter) had surface imperfections.
The replacement glass thickness will enable the camera to focus normaly I then used a standard 52/58 mm filter in front of the lens but as I had not replaced the hot mirror at all the camera became short sighted but fitting a wideangle adapter i bought for the camera ages ago solded the problem.
That said some cameras can just have the hot filter removed and still work fine the powershot Pro1 is an example.
I would find out as much as i could from others who have already done a diy conversion on your make.model of camera
Hope that helps
Mark
HI guys
for what its worth I recently got a 400D converted by the lads at advance camera services in the uk. It is a bit costly but well worth it ( a full service is included in the price)
The onlt thing I would do different is I should have got my 40D converted instead. I just didnt think I would get so much use from the converted camera, but I cant seem to put it down after 3 months of use.D
Hi Dave, sounds like you’re having a lot of fun with the camera!
Had a look at Advance Camera Services, but the conversion is a little too pricey for me at present at £250 pre-VAT & shipping. What was the shipping cost like for you ?
On infrared conversions, is there anyone in Ireland who offers a conversion service ?
Damien
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
