Old vehicles at Shuttleworth Collection

Barry Pearson wrote:

I'm hoping not to have a camera converted. This means that I need a camera with enough IR sensitivity, suitable visible-light elimination-filters, plus a tripod!

The Canon Ra also have a special WB to get almost natural results at daytime in most situations, but probably some shift in flash colors.

I've been trying to discover whether the Canon Ra has more sensitivity across the IR spectrum than other cameras.
(I've asked in the Canon RF Talk forum, without answers that I'm confident with).

It has 4x the sensitivity at Hydrogen-Alpha, 656.28nm, which is at the red end of the visible spectrum.
But is this narrow-pass, with conventional IR filtration thereafter?

I'd guess so : it's a specialised camera for astrophotography focused on the HA band, so narrow to keep it as versatile as possible.

Or does it also have extra broad-pass IR sensitivity compared with other cameras?

If the latter, it may be the "perfect" camera for IR landscape photography.
(At a massive price which I currently can't afford!)

In complement of Kolary or LifePixel websites and the likes, you will find on this site informations from a real user about the versatilty of such a game changer in landscape and IR photography (it would be the same with almost every MILC on the market) : "full spectrum".

http://infraedd.blogspot.com/2014/04/cameras-sony-a7-converted-to-full.html

Thank you!

That is a super resource that I was unaware of.
It'll keep me busy for weeks!

If you're building a system with Canon R/RP/RF* you should also have a look at full spectrum conversions (drawbacks and advantages) : the Canon drop-in filter adapter should be the ideal complement to select your normal/IR wavelengths in the field with the good filter! That's the kind of "K New" I was expecting/dreaming from Pentax a few years ago : filters behind the KAF mount in the body (just one step further than their IR cameras : 645Z, K-1 and KP for institutional buyers only ! What a shame). More cost effective, only replacing normal by full spectrum sensors in small batchs for professionals ... and amateurs.

I had my Pentax K-7 converted.
Not full-spectrum: instead visible-light elimination, maximum IR sensitivity.

You should also have a look at this other site to get a deeper insight about old and new lenses results for IR photography ! And what filters you should use !

https://www.edwardnoble.com/a7

https://www.edwardnoble.com/hotspot-info

https://www.edwardnoble.com/hotspots-explained

I'd rather be confident in his list of good/bad lenses for IR, based on his measured scores in a reproductible way :

https://www.edwardnoble.com/hotspots

Full spectrum add a little more complexity (you need filter front/rear of the lens) but that adds great versatility ! "Hot mirror" filter for "natural" light (as you normal camera), and a few filters for the wavelenghts you intend to use (for false colors or back and white).

Regarding the lenses specificities, you will find lots of lens databases on the net, mostly for IR photography (to take with a grain of salt because the results should be slightly different for example at 720nm / 850nm / etc.). Simplified : the older the better for an homogenous response in all wavelenghts. Lots of old Canon EF/TSE should be good. I think that most new lenses are too optimised for visual light and lack something/mood (can't find a word). UV photography is another world: I guess MightyMike will have better advices on compatible lenses and precautious processes needed (I just had a look at a few books and articles yet)

Yes, I'm getting messages that suitable lenses are more important than I had realised.

A dilemma: new system suitable for IR, or one for action and sports?
(I've made my decision in favour of the latter).

If I'm right, choosing a system for action & sports is not totally incompatible with IR photography if you choose the FS way. Change the rear filter and you're done (*) ! At least, it seems so to me.

Best regards, Fred

PS:

(*) and swap your modern zooms with an old classical fixed focal lens !