Reading mode: Light Dark

IR digital camera conversion

Go to last post
AK41

AK41

Senior Member
Messages
2,538
Reaction score
1,292
Location
Here & There
This is from the individual who is desperately missing Kodak HIE Hi-Speed IR film. Loved it, used it, miss it (well, still have a couple of rolls, saved for one special occasion, I'm my freezer ).

Would like to convert a m43 body to digital IR. Will appreciate professional feedback from anybody with personal conversion/converted camera purchase experience. Sample of the shots made will be also highly appreciated.

Thanks, Alex

--

AK -- no EX, no IF, just photography: reflection of a moment impossible to reproduce.
_____________________________________________________________________
The sum-total of reality is the world.
A picture is a model of reality.
The picture is a fact.
Wittgenstein, Tractatus-Logico-Philosophicus
 
Last edited:
Like you I was a lover of Kodak HIE, but I used my last roll about 5 years back. I then had my Lumix GF1 (M43) body converted to 720nm IR and I love it. M43 is great for IR conversion because the focussing is not affected and of course you see hte iR image on the monitor/EVF.

How does it compare with HIE? Well, as a shooting experience it's so much easier and the number of keepers is much higher, What you don't get of course is the halation that you get with HIE so it's a different look. You asked for samples so here's a few,





























It's worth noting that although the GF1 uses the first generation 12Mp sensor, these images will produce very nice A2 prints.
 

Attachments

  • 3606171.jpg
    3606171.jpg
    492.9 KB · Views: 0
  • 3606173.jpg
    3606173.jpg
    237.1 KB · Views: 0
  • 3606174.jpg
    3606174.jpg
    518.7 KB · Views: 0
  • 3606177.jpg
    3606177.jpg
    251.7 KB · Views: 0
Taurus43 said:
Like you I was a lover of Kodak HIE, but I used my last roll about 5 years back. I then had my Lumix GF1 (M43) body converted to 720nm IR and I love it. M43 is great for IR conversion because the focussing is not affected and of course you see hte iR image on the monitor/EVF.

How does it compare with HIE? Well, as a shooting experience it's so much easier and the number of keepers is much higher, What you don't get of course is the halation that you get with HIE so it's a different look. You asked for samples so here's a few,











It's worth noting that although the GF1 uses the first generation 12Mp sensor, these images will produce very nice A2 prints.
Click to expand...
Respected colleague,

thank you so much for your helpful feedback and much appreciated very nice shots attached.

Regards and best wishes, Alex

--
AK -- no EX, no IF, just photography: reflection of a moment impossible to reproduce.
_____________________________________________________________________
The sum-total of reality is the world.
A picture is a model of reality.
The picture is a fact.
Wittgenstein, Tractatus-Logico-Philosophicus
 
Thanks, Mr. Abeln.

Yep, I saw the website, just am trying the first hand experience feedback from IR shooters.
 
I just use an IR filter over my lens, which gives me a good effect, but exposures are long!
 
I had LifePixel convert my Olympus EPL5 to IR. (visible blocked) It works really well. AF works well, including face detect AF.

I mostly use it for work related things so I don't have much I can share. I will try to see if I can find something interesting around the house to snap a few pictures of.

I use it with the Olympus 14-42 zoom with the screw on auto-open lens cap.
 
Last edited:
Here are a couple of photos from today. OOC JPEGS camera color scheme set to monochrome

First two photos shot a little before sunset, accounting for the long shadows (shadows in second shot match the lines on daughters shirt, trees match the hair. That was the idea anyway)

d262da88f4764edead02f4a10cea575b.jpg

93745187b14246cc8f5140fb3756155b.jpg
 
Last edited:
I brought a pre-converted Panasonic GF2 on e-bay, that cost less than getting my old camera converted. :)

Mine is supposedly a 'full spectrum' conversion, but seems to have very poor UV response. Despite this it's excellent for use with a hue rage of filters both standard IR options & some more exotic variations. Mirrorless cameras in general being ideal for this as you can see through any filter the camera can see through!

A few examples, trying to include a wide range of subjects all with minimal post processing:

With a 650 filter:
https://flic.kr/p/nLHG9B
&
https://flic.kr/p/myRoxj

A 720 filter
https://flic.kr/p/nhEZ9Z
&
https://flic.kr/p/noCm6z

no filter at all:
https://flic.kr/p/mptiuk
& https://flic.kr/p/oUwRbU

A U330 filter https://flic.kr/p/mpuj8o

& a BG3 filter https://flic.kr/p/nhF2tM
 
The Sigma SD1 and SD15 have user-removable / replaceable IR filters, allowing you to switch from IR to regular operation very easily, if that is of any interest to you.

J.
 
it works somewhat well for some cameras with thin IR cut filters (usually small sensored ones), but for thick IR cut filters you won't get proper IR in its full.
 
I removed IR cut filter from Sony NEX-5N. Now manual lenses don't have infinity focus, but the AF ones still do. M43 has very thick (in terms on length not transmission) IR cut filter so it will be neccessary to replace it with glass rather than remove. You might decide to use another camera with thin filter.
 
Joe Pineapples II said:
The Sigma SD1 and SD15 have user-removable / replaceable IR filters, allowing you to switch from IR to regular operation very easily, if that is of any interest to you.

J.
Click to expand...
Also SD10, SD14 and the new sd Quattros but not the SD9.
 
OR,

You could purchase an older Minolta DiMage 7 (NOT 7i), which was manufactured with a weak IR cut filter, and use an IR pass filter. The EVF and autofocus still work, but you need full sun for hand-holding. They can be had for less than $50 on eBay...

An example here:

https://flic.kr/p/ukBjnm

--
Wayne
See more at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/turbguy/
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top