IR photography

[oveisi]

<p>Hi everyone<br>

I am really interested to convert my Nikon D80 to IR camera. I live in Vancouver and I am wondering if anyone knows a place in Vancouver that I can go and convert my Camera? If not, then what would be the best place to go?<br>

Ehsan</p>

[denton_phelps]

<p>You might try these folks. Google "Lifepixel" and go from there.</p>

<p>I've not tried them but I have D50 that I'm considering converting to IR. I've Emailed them about their processes and they seem to know their business.</p>

[User_2000406]

<p>Try http://www.maxmax.com/IRCameraConversions.htm. They are reputable and know what they are doing on these conversions. </p>

[curt wiler]

<p>There are only a couple of large firms that I would trust with this conversion. Lifepixel is one of them - I have had great results with my converted D200 on which I had them calibrate the focus for my 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G lens rather than the usual 18-70 lens which is not as good for IR. I have good results with both focus and exposure.</p>

[oveisi]

<p>Thanks for responses.<br>

As you know Lifepixal has different filters. Can any one tel me which one would be a better option?<br>

Also, do I have a restriction to use my lenses? Does it work with all lenses?<br>

Thanks<br>

Ehsan</p>

 

[bjørn rørslett]

<p>Many lenses do not work well in IR. You get hot spots, poor sharpness, or both. Even for those lenses that do work, there will be an increased susceptibility for flare and ghosts. The tendency for showing hot spots is especially common with zoom lenses.</p>

<p>The cheapest Nikkor which is OK for IR would be the 18-55 kit lens. It is in fact a very good IR performer. As far as I can recall, the 16-85 also did well in IR. My usual wide zoom lens with IR cameras is the 10-24 DX.</p>

[curt wiler]

<p>I had them use the "standard" filter so I can't comment on others. I am quite happy with this choice, and I do also shoot 120 film IR so I have a point of reference. As for lenses, there are two issues: 1) some lenses have IR "hot spots". Bjorn's website is a good source of information on these characteristics for Nikon lenses. 2) Lifepixel adjusts the focus cam for the IR offset (the AF system is still working in visible light, as is the viewfinder of course). This can really only be done for one lens, and over a limited zoom range so think about how you are going to be using the IR capability. Most of the time on my D200 I shoot moderately wide-angle to normal with IR. I suppose you could use Live View to focus (and I set the camera up for B&W to I can visualize the final result better), but I tend to be a more active shooter and not use LiveView for this kind of imaging.</p>

[oveisi]

<p>Thanks so much for the information.</p>

[jensvind]

<p>I got my D70 converted at 'lifepixel' and they adjust focus to a lense of your choice, Standard is kit-lense 18-70 and it works well.<br />My latest in BW :</p><div></div>

[oveisi]

<p>it is a wonderful picture. Do we need to send them the lens too?</p>

[AndyMiller]

<p>Hi there this subject was aired to a certain extent at the beginning of the month - here is the <a href="00WL02">LINK</a>. I use a 17-35 mm f2.8 Nikkor on my converted D100 most of the time.</p>

[denton_phelps]

<p>

<p >Ehsan FYI here is my Email to Lifepixel and their response. It addressed some of my concerns and maybe yours.</p>

<p > </p>

<p ><strong>My Email</strong></p>

<p > </p>

<p >I have a surplus Nikon D50 that I am considering converting to IR. As far as I know it is 100% functional but I’m curious as to what happens if the camera doesn't work after conversion.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >What kind of tests do you run before and after conversion to verify that it was functional before and is functional after the conversion?</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Also is there any warranty for your work? What happens if the camera fails soon after conversion?</p>

<p > </p>

<p >This is not especially important but do you need a lens or just the body to do the conversion. I use my 18-70 regularly on my D90 so I would need to plan a window to be without it.</p>

<p > </p>

<p ><strong>Their Response</strong><br /></p>

<p > </p>

<p > Before we take a camera apart, we scrutinize it to insure that it is functioning properly. We also do a lot of testing afterwards. We do not have warranty, but if the camera comes to us working, it will when we return it. And if anything were to happen due to the conversion, it would happen right away, in which case we would take care of it. I encourage you to research us as much as you can!</p>

<p > </p>

<p >If it breaks down the road, then your only option would be to have somebody that repairs Nikons repair it, since Nikon will not work on a modified camera. Or, you can send it back to us first for a fee and we would return it to stock form, if you prefer to send it to Nikon.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >The 18-70dx lens is what we calibrate to by default, and we do not need you to send yours with. We only need the camera and a charged battery. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >If you have any more questions, just let me know!</p>

</p>

[z_newbie]

<p>I already converted my D60 to IR through Lifepixel, Results are amazing (by default they calibberate the camera to 18-70mm AF-S DX lens) You can check couple of shots, I got it Last Sept and did not had enough time to play with it... Can't wait for the weather to get better...</p>

<p>The Only problem I had was with Shipping, Shipping from Canada to US specially the Camera, really SUCKS, I used FedEx (Highly NOT Recomended) Not to mention it got stuck at their Customs (now homeland Ass-0s). It took almost 2 weeks for FedEx to get there from Calgary and a whopping $60.00 one way.......<br>

Since ..you. live in Vancouver, just drive there, they are less than an hours from US border....</p>

<p>Will be cheaper and less painful</p>

[oveisi]

<p>Dear Ahmed<br>

One thing I am not sure about is the filter. I am not sure what filter i should get. I checked your photos and I found it really interesting. Can you please tell me what filter you have?<br>

Ehsan</p>

[guendanadxi]

<p>Convert your camera to IR and you will regret it for life!! <br>

You will get hooked on IR and end actually using more your IR modified camera than your regular cameras...<br>

At least thats my history :P<br>

I bought my filter on lifepixel and did my conversion by myself (sending my camera to lifepixel was really expensive and out of the question... the whole process involved taking the camera apart and replacing the hotmirror filter infront of the sensor and then adjusting the autofocus on the camera body).<br>

I bought the "Enhanced color IR filter" (thats around 665 nm), I like it because it gives me the choice between going to false color IR or BW IR on post processing.</p>

<p>Hope this helps,<br>

Luis</p>

<p>PS: If interested, you can see some of my IR images on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/guendanadxi/sets/72157623629981509/">flickr</a></p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/4614726355_520e8f0456_o.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="435" /></p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I have no personal experience with either of these companies so check for references elsewhere, but <a href="http://digitalsilverimaging.com/">Digital Silver Imaging</a> is currently advertising specials on various IR conversions (P&S, DX and FX dSLRs) through <a href="http://www.precisioncamera.com/infrared-conversion-services.html">Precision Camera</a>. As with any service, be sure to check for references and/or customer satisfaction reports first.</p>