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IR photography
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Oct 17, 2017 19:48:19   #
whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.
 
I am interested in IR photography, as I have seen some really stunning pics using IR. Questions:
1: I have two nikon p520 bridge cameras. Can one of these be converted to IR, and at what cost?
2. If not able to convert, would an IR filter work, and if so, suggestions on brands and-or numbers representing strength?

Have learned a lot from being involved with the UHH forum, so am hopeful to get some useful information.

Thanks.

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Oct 17, 2017 20:46:51   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
I had a Nikon D90 converted by LifePixel and was very happy with their service. You might check to see if they convert your cameras. Most digital cameras have an internal filter to filter out IR light, and this filter must be removed or the exposures with an external IR filter will be very long. The conversion services remove that filter and replace it with a filter that filters out visible light in various amounts. If you know you will just want to do B&W IR, you would get the strongest filter. I knew I wanted to try faux color IR, so I got LifePixel's enhanced color filter. They also make a super color filter, but I thought that would be too much color. With the enhanced color filter I can still do B&W IR but have to do a little more post processing to increase contrast.

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Oct 17, 2017 21:08:45   #
whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.
 
Thanks for the info. Will ck with life pixel. This forum is a great source of info.

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Oct 18, 2017 06:26:49   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
Google convert camera to IR. You will find that a lot of people DIY [do it yourself] convert their cameras to IR. I bought a Canon G2 [old designation not the new G series] and followed the detailed directions on the net. Recently I looked and there are many, including pocket SuperZooms that are being converted. Removing the hot mirror and replacing it with glass, equal thickness, is best, but most just pull the hot mirror. Use a 750 um IR screw on filter. 650 is too visible... 950 too dark

Here is a way to remove the coating [sorry lost the source]: " Instead of going to the trouble of locating a 'clear' replacement hot mirror for your camera, try removing the coating from the standard filter. To do this, I used a thin piece of acrylic and some T-Cut auto paint restorer. Simply remove the filter from the camera, add a little T-cut onto the acrylic and the rub the filter in a circular motion for a few minutes. After a while, the reflective coating is gone and you should have a perfectly clear piece of glass Clean this with some quality glass cleaner and then reinstall into the camera and use an external filter of your choice. "

Here is one taken with my self converted Canon G2. IR is something you do for a while, but if it becomes "your thing" then sure go for the finest. Humm I have a Sony A-320 not use for a long time.. may DIY it to an IR... humm

Canon G2 DIY Converted to IR
Canon G2 DIY Converted to IR...
(Download)

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Oct 18, 2017 06:35:55   #
sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey
 
Get a camera converted. It will make like much easier. The two companies I've used and recommend are life pixel and Kolarivision. Both websites have lots of information. Ask them your questions before purchasing. Make sure the camera you choose will do a custom while balance.

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Oct 18, 2017 06:51:38   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
whatdat wrote:
I am interested in IR photography, as I have seen some really stunning pics using IR. Questions:
1: I have two nikon p520 bridge cameras. Can one of these be converted to IR, and at what cost?
2. If not able to convert, would an IR filter work, and if so, suggestions on brands and-or numbers representing strength?

Have learned a lot from being involved with the UHH forum, so am hopeful to get some useful information.

Thanks.


LifePixel is a good source for conversion, and the price is a bit over $300. They will tell you if your camera is good for conversion. Then you have to decide which filter to get.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:18:32   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
whatdat wrote:
I am interested in IR photography, as I have seen some really stunning pics using IR. Questions:
1: I have two nikon p520 bridge cameras. Can one of these be converted to IR, and at what cost?
2. If not able to convert, would an IR filter work, and if so, suggestions on brands and-or numbers representing strength?

Have learned a lot from being involved with the UHH forum, so am hopeful to get some useful information.

Thanks.


Best Bet Check with Life Pixel They have all the information You need I had a camera converted by them Price varies on the camera
https://www.lifepixel.com/

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Oct 18, 2017 07:28:17   #
RolandHalpern
 
I'm not into IR, at least not for the moment, but it never ceases to amaze me about the variety and quality of the discussion topics that come up on UHH.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:32:43   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
Actually some cameras will see IR ok just using a IR filter. Yes the exposure is slower that if no hot mirror. Simple test, can your camera see the TV Changer IR light?

Get it done because it is easy by some company... What !! Have you folks no sense of adventure?? I would think that Jerry would have time to do this during the winter when he is snowed in up there in the wilderness of the Catskills.

This winter when it snows here in Tampa.. good by Sony A230 .... http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/diy-sony-a100-infrared-conversion_topic75914_page2.html

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Oct 18, 2017 07:34:44   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
I use a Hoya RM90 filter on both my D700 and D800e with satisfactory results.
--Bob
whatdat wrote:
I am interested in IR photography, as I have seen some really stunning pics using IR. Questions:
1: I have two nikon p520 bridge cameras. Can one of these be converted to IR, and at what cost?
2. If not able to convert, would an IR filter work, and if so, suggestions on brands and-or numbers representing strength?

Have learned a lot from being involved with the UHH forum, so am hopeful to get some useful information.

Thanks.

Reply
Oct 18, 2017 07:45:15   #
rayr
 
I tried the IR filter route and found it to be a lot of trouble. Long exposure times and editing . I had a Canon Rebel converted to IR and shoot it just like any other camera and get good results. Converting can be expensive, I paid $350.00 and this was the lowest price I could find. I would recommend Ebay and buying one already converted. I used this guy and was very happy with the service. http://www.isaacszabo.com/infrared.html

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Oct 18, 2017 07:55:07   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
Go to the lifepixel website. It is full of instructional videos that explain the conversion and white balance issues. Also, many lenses create a hot spot in the middle of your image due to the IR light bouncing differently than visible light. If you convert a fixed lens camera you might be stuck with that problem. If you convert a camera with changeable lens you can experiment with different lenses. Lifepixel has a list of lenses that have the problem.

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Oct 18, 2017 10:01:56   #
ken glanzer
 
There is a definite learning curve with IR. Get a camera converted by LivePixel but there are 3 differeent conversions. Study all their web site data very thoroughly. Your picture isn't sharp. There is a focus shift in IR. For many years lenses had the red marker off set to show the difference from what your eye saw in the viewer or rangefinder gave. The full page of sample pictures LivePixel shows is very impressive indeed. I have a need for pictures with a black sky mostly in B&W & there are 4 great example there of this. Green leaves & grass turn white & adds to the overall IR look effectively.
I rented a camera converted for IR from Barrow cameras last Jan. That was a mistake as there were no green leave on the trees or was the grass green in SD in the winter. They never should have rented it to me for that reason. It was wasted money & time. But with 5 different filters they supplied I was still unable to get the really black shy in color pictures of the camera or set for monochrome & Borrow Camera couldn't tell me how to do it either. LivePixel as knowledgeable as they are they weren't either. They assume you know all the new terms, new rules & their ramifications when they answer questions. There are new terms you have to learn on a par with everything you learned about photography in your life time on conventional photography.
So I rented a camera again recently I still couldn't get the black sky regardless of the exposures or filters used. Here is another thing you have to know. There are 3 different conversions of IR they make. One is a Full Spectrum conversion camera that I was sent twice even after I explained many times what I was mainly after. It is mainly for color although there is a monochrome setting that didn't do what I wanted although the pictures were OK other wise. I usually used F11 or larger & compensated for the focus shift some but I'd been better of with the correct IR focus. Then LivePixel finally woke up & said "I need the camera they convert for B&W only to get what I want. If you can live without the totally black sky the Full Spectrum is the way to go. They claim all this is explained in their web site. Bsrrow Camera only has 4 example pictures shown. One for Full Spectrum & 2 for B&W if I remember right & 1 for yet another another conversion I wasn't interested. These were postage size prints totally inadequate for showing anything on & on. Their IR rental marketing was totally inadequate for renting IR converted cameras.


After many phone calls I finally got through to LivePixel what I wanted & they pointed

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Oct 18, 2017 10:10:10   #
pahtspix
 
lifepixel.com End of story..They have ALL the info and recommendations you are looking for!..They have converted 3 of my cameras over the years..Never a hitch!

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Oct 18, 2017 11:17:09   #
ken glanzer
 
There is a definite learning curve with IR. Get a camera converted by LivePixel but there are 3 differeent conversions you need to know about they assume you know. Study all their web site data very thoroughly a couple times. Note! Your picture isn't sharp. There is a focus shift in IR. For many years lenses had the red marker off set to show the difference from what your eye saw in the viewer or rangefinder gave. The full page of sample IR pictures LivePixel shows is very impressive indeed. I have a specific need for pictures with a Black Sky mostly in B&W & there are 4 great examples there of this there but not info on how to duplicate it. They assume you know. Green leaves & grass turn white & adds to the overall IR look effectively.
I rented a camera converted for IR from Barrow Lens last Jan. That was a mistake as there were no green leaves on the trees or was the grass green in SD in the winter. They never should have rented it to me for that reason. It was wasted money & time. But with 5 different filters they supplied I was still unable to get the really black shy (time of year should make no difference) in color pictures of the camera or set for Monochrome & Borrow Lens couldn't tell me how to do it either. LivePixel as knowledgeable as they are weren't either. They assume you know all the new terms, new rules & their ramifications when they answer questions quickly. There are new terms you have to learn on a par with everything you learned about photography in your life time on conventional photography.
So I rented a camera again recently & I still couldn't get the black sky regardless of the exposures or filters used but got the white leaves & grass. Here is another thing you have to know. There are 3 different conversions of IR they do. One is a Full Spectrum conversion that I was sent twice even after I explained many times what I was mainly after & couldn't get. It is mainly for color although there is a Monochrome setting that didn't do what I wanted although the pictures were OK other wise. I usually used F11 or larger & compensated for the focus shift some but I'd been better of with the correct IR focus. Then LivePixel finally woke up & said "I need the camera they convert for B&W only to get what I want." If you can live without the totally black sky the Full Spectrum probably is the way to go. They claim ? all this is explained in their web site. Barrow Lens only has 4 example pictures shown (very inadequate). One for Full Spectrum & 2 for B&W if I remember right & 1 for yet another another conversion I wasn't interested in. These were very small postage size prints totally inadequate for showing anything on & on. Their IR rental marketing & specific knowledge was totally inadequate for renting IR converted cameras. I'm faced with now renting a B&W Spectrum IR camera for another round of taking many pictures to see if I can get the B&W sky.
I'm 88 & started in photography in 1936. I've taken many of the Polarized Filter pictures at right angles to the sun for max effect & a darkened sky but never really black as one can get in IR--if you can ever find out how to do it. I was in need for a new slant on photography & IR is the way to go even justifying getting another camera just for it & the nuisance of additional luggage. Normal scenery doesn't even interest me now. I just may leave the old style camera at home. I was planning to go to SA in their summer to get out of SD's winter weather & shoot all that new scenery down there I have never seen. That puts Testosterone in your Photography.
I was sent a N5500 Digital I think the number is that is Very Excessively Menu Driven (another learning curve-a total pain in the ass). Nikon needs to supply a detailed video on how to use it that can be reviewed any time & save a lot of learning time). You can't make fast changes often needed of anything you could do before if needed & they have too many features & variations you will never use. Further there was no auto focus either as those cameras need special lenses for it & I was constantly refocusing or forgetting to do it. It was small chip also (making it smaller & lighter-only advantage) but I would want a full chip camera for max resolution as I will be making big enlargements. The Dramatics of IR would justify it & catch the eye of more editors for articles also.
The main idea is to save time & money in any new project like IR is to somehow find out all the things you need to know about IR without the expensive experimental time wasting route. Fortunately you can review each shot for exposure & contrast in the small camera screen fairly well & quickly in great detail in the computer. IR to really get started needed digital methods. I don't know if I will live long enough to find all this out before I assume room temperature. Call me a 605 729 2077.

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