Anti-Aliasing Filter Removal: Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mine came without one. I've not seen an issue with anything I've photographed with it.
--Bob

dsmeltz wrote:

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Many newer models of cameras do not have the filter. It is a help to prevent moiré. (Like when the close lines in a shirt appear to be swirling instead of staying straight). The bad side is in doing that some sharpness is lost. Since we mostly all want more sharpness the filter is removed.
I'll take sharpness over an occasional moiré pattern any day!!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

dsmeltz wrote:

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

I actually read an article, about a year ago, of a place that removed AA filters. It was around $250 that I can remember. If my camera was under warranty, I certainly would not remove it. Nikon is no longer putting AA filters in any of their DSLRs. Some Sony Alpha models, crop sensor cameras of past years, have AA filters. Removal of AA filters on Nikon full frame began with the D800E.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

The D800 had the AA filter; the D800E was released with an altered filter that effectively removed the AA filter.
There was a question when the cameras were released, that the 800E might not be a prudent choice, because of a potential moire problem. Sometime during pre-order, I even received an e-mail from B&H warning of the possibility of moire from the 800E.
It proved not to be a problem, as evidenced by what Nikon has done in removing the filters in subsequent models.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

dsmeltz wrote:

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

This is a place where you can get it removed. All questions should be submitted via email to info@spencerscamerera.com

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

mas24 wrote:

This is a place where you can get it removed. All questions should be submitted via email to info@spencerscamerera.com

I misspelled camera on the email address info@spencerscamera.com

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

dsmeltz wrote:

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

I haven't bought a primary camera with an AA filter in YEARS! And I wouldn't. Both my Canon bodies have them and that's one of the reasons they see so little use.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

mas24 wrote:

This is a place where you can get it removed. All questions should be submitted via email to info@spencerscamerera.com

Actually it was a google search that led me to Spencers that got me to post the question. While I do tend to be an early adopter for tech, I do not want to send my camera in to have the filter removed without hearing from someone who has gone through it.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dsmeltz wrote:

Actually it was a google search that led me to Spencers that got me to post the question. While I do tend to be an early adopter for tech, I do not want to send my camera in to have the filter removed without hearing from someone who has gone through it.

How old is your camera?
Would the more prudent step be to purchase a camera designed that way?

DPReview 10/7/2013 wrote:

The K-3 touts 24 megapixels in an APS-C sized CMOS sensor with the world’s first selectable anti-aliasing filter—giving the user the ability to easily toggle anti-aliasing functionality on or off by way of the PENTAX-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/pentax/slrs/pentax_k3

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rehess wrote:

How old is your camera?
Would the more prudent step be to purchase a camera designed that way?

https://www.dpreview.com/products/pentax/slrs/pentax_k3

I shoot Canon. The question has to do with finding out if anyone has gone through this process and about their experience. I do know that I could go out and buy a new camera. Yes, I understand that. But I did not ask about that because that is something I already know. I was curious if anyone had had a camera with an existing AA filter altered to remove the AA filter.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

dsmeltz wrote:

I shoot Canon. The question has to do with finding out if anyone has gone through this process and about their experience. I do know that I could go out and buy a new camera. Yes, I understand that. But I did not ask about that because that is something I already know. I was curious if anyone had had a camera with an existing AA filter altered to remove the AA filter.

A question to ask yourself. I Canon itself cannot effectively remove AA filters on their sensors, why do you think anyone else could effectively do so as an afterthought?

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

dsmeltz wrote:

Has anyone here had the anti-aliasing filter removed from a camera? If you have, were you happy with the results? Who did the removal? What are the risks? Does it (probably) void the warranty?

I had one of Canon 7DmkII's done and have been impressed with the results. I used Spencer's camera for the mod. The one caveat that I've noticed is that the color balance seemed to change a bit, and I now use custom white balance for that body. I've given some thought to doing my second 7D2, but don't have the spare $400 to do it-currently. All in all, I'm glad that I tried the conversion, and I'm happy with the results-especially for macro shooting.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

rehess wrote:

How old is your camera?
Would the more prudent step be to purchase a camera designed that way?

dsmeltz wrote:

I shoot Canon. The question has to do with finding out if anyone has gone through this process and about their experience. I do know that I could go out and buy a new camera. Yes, I understand that. But I did not ask about that because that is something I already know. I was curious if anyone had had a camera with an existing AA filter altered to remove the AA filter.

I understood all that. I intentionally used the word "prudent". I agree with MT Shooter, but its your camera and your money.

Jim Bob

MT Shooter wrote:

A question to ask yourself. I Canon itself cannot effectively remove AA filters on their sensors, why do you think anyone else could effectively do so as an afterthought?

Are you sure Canon can't as opposed to won't?