47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have a Canon S100 P&S that doesn't get much use anymore. I'm thinking about getting it converted to infrared. Most of the articles I've read online suggest converting a DSLR, even though conversion for P&S is available. I'm interested not only hearing from members who have converted P&S cameras, but also from people who currently shoot IR or have in the past. For those who converted a small compact, did you get satisfactory results? For everyone, did you go full spectrum, monochrome, or one of the various color options? On converted cameras, I understand low exposures, like if only lens filters are used, is not necessary, i.e. you shoot just like any other shot (if that makes sense). Most importantly, even though, it's not an expensive conversion, I'm also curious for those who have shot whether it held their interest over time? And lastly, thanks to all for your thoughts.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have shot extensively in IR- it was my job in the army, however, that was long ago and of course it was on film and oftentimes with special cartographic/aerial surveillance equipment. In my current digital work, I do like the effect so I converted my od Nikon D-300 to IR.

Although the conversion for pictorial use is not expensive, I don't advise investing the money in a point and shoot camera with a fixed lens. If you have an older DSLR or can purchase a good used one at an advantageous price, you can use it with a zoom or several lenses of various focal lengths. I held on to my 24, 35, 50, 105, and 135mm Nikor lenses and find them all useful for landscape, architectural, and abstract photography. The conversion I have enables full-spectrum color and monochromatic renditions. I especially like the classic IR black and white look with black skyscape, puffy clouds, and white foliage.

Perhaps you can score a Canon Rebel and use your Canon glass.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I bought an IR converted Ricoh GXR on line, not expensive. Not a P&S because of the Modules which not only provide a variety of lenses, but also an A12 Leica Mount, which lets me use my old Leica lenses, and with an adapter, all my old Nikon glass as well. Small, handy and capable little system. Does a variety of things very well.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Using your D300, do you need to attach any other filter to the lens itself?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Once the initial novelty of shooting in IR subsided, do you still occasionally venture out looking for good IR subjects?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Truthfully, no. Reasons being that I am in rural Montana, and my "at home" photo interests are insects, wildlife, landscapes, my dog friends, and the Western life. To me, IR is a novelty, like a fisheye lens, that every so often is absolutely perfect for a particular photo opportunity. Frankly, it was so inexpensive, I could afford to buy it to have "that arrow in my quiver" if I ever wanted or needed it.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Using filters with a converted IR camera. This link explains the system I use and includes links to companies that do the conversions and sell already converted cameras as well.

https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/144388-how-to-turn-your-dslr-into-a-full-spectrum-super-camera.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I love infrared the 720 mn which is basically black and white. I’m not into fooling around with color infrared.
A point and shoot could have a lens with a hot spot. I have a Fuji camera that was converted to IR. I’d get a mirrorless camera to convert, Sony,Fuji or Olympus. The two companies I’d recommend for conversions are lifepixel.com and Kolarivision.com ask them for their recommendations.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I started out shooting B&W IR in the film era. The filter on the lens was very dark, so I usually used a tripod so I could view and focus without the filter. After I switched to digital, I saw some color digital IR with the red/blue channel swap so skies are blue instead of red. I knew that's what I wanted to do, so I had an old Nikon D70s by Lifepixel with their enhanced color filter, which is 665. That was in 2008 and I like it so much and used it so much that last year I had my old Nikon D2X converted with the same filter.

I know lots of people recommend the full spectrum conversion, so you use a filter on the lens, and can try different filters. But unless you have a camera with live view, you are still stuck with a dark filter on the lens which is difficult to view and focus through. And you have the added expense of buying different filters. With the internal filter you aren't viewing through it, so it is easy to view and shoot hand held. In particular, if you know for sure whether you want to do color or B&W IR, and don't have a live view camera, I would recommend getting the internal filter. I can convert my color captures to B&W, but I can't get the quality I did from B&W IR film and silver darkroom prints, and I found I really prefer color. Here are some examples of the IR work I have been doing.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Thanks all. Really enjoyed your images, John, as well. I had two concerns that I’d be disappointed in the converted S100 and I’m inferring from responses that my suspicion is valid. I have a fisheye that hasn’t been out of its box in years... good analogy.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Go to LifePixel and see what cameras they recommend converting. Then take a look at the filter options.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Yeah, Jerry. That's where I've been and they listed the Canon Powershot S100 as an option. The plans are to reach out to them today for an opinion. I don't want to convert either of my DSLRs. And there's always the concern (?) that I'd do the conversion, go crazy for a few weeks, and then it would get lost in the closet with other dust gathering stuff. They are running a $50 off any conversion offer through the end of the month, so there is a tickling of GAS going on. Figured if I'm going to do this that I might as well save a few bucks.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I have an order in at Life Pixel for an IR conversion, now. I sent in my Nikon Coolpix 7000, a Point-N-Shoot. Focus is guaranteed to be better with no hot spots. I was tired of seeing soft IR pictures from DSLRs because of the focus issues. Focus nor hot spots will not be a problem with a PNS as it inherently is with DSLRs.

On top of that, the next issue is will you be hauling it with you when you go out all the time. With a PNS, I can throw it in a side pocket and it will always be there instead of finding room to carry an extra bulky DSLR. The best IR camera is the one you have with you at the time, no?

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I've been goofing with IR for years (still seems I *need* to know more, lol). Started with a 720nm conversion on a D70s, then a 590nm on a D300...both of which I still have, but I bought a Sony A7 FF and did it in 590 so I could get the benefits of FF and mirrorless. I don't think I'll be using the other two very much now, it's that much better in so many ways. If you're just starting out you'll go through the woes of white balance, channel swapping and other "tricks" used by IR enthusiasts...all of which is really fun and quite the education. I use a fellow named Isaac Szabo for my conversions, he's very competent and helpful plus a little less expensive with the larger companies. If you go full spectrum on your conversion you can add filters to get pretty much all the gradients. Personally I like messing with the color side of things, but also really love the 720 look; I can use a filter on my 590nm Sony and get that, just as a full spectrum would allow...I just can't go to a lower number that way.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Thanks, at LifePixel, the 590 is listed as their most popular, and I'm thinking because it passes more colors? Or at least a balance between saturation and colors? Needless to say, I am definitely a rookie at this.