:::Nikon D40 Infrared Conversion, Tutorial:::

[Bobby Handal]

Nice shots. Yes sometimes is quite hard to do a custom white balance, it seems that it will not lock on ... Ngood...!

The first picture shows some dust? I hope you cleaned the sensor real good before you put it on ...take a picture and test.

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http://www.hondurasart.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2180

 

[barl0w]

Inspiring work. Excellent tutorial!

Thanks for sharing -

Scott
http://flickr.com/photos/barl0w

 

[rhlpetrus]

Very nice.

Did you take shots of same subjects just before the conversion? It would have been nice to have a comparison re detail as well.
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[morris]

All that work when you could screw on a filter and still have a normal camera as well. Why?

Morris
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http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD

 

[MagicNikon]

Good question Morris. I have used that method before, when I first started doing IR work a few years ago.

The problem is that the AntiAliasing filter blocks IR wavelengths. So, in order to get an IR exposure, you need to have an exposure time of several seconds, and a tripod, even on a sunny day.

Using this method...removing the AA filter and replacing it with an IR filter, I can do handheld photography, and compose TTL and shoot on the fly....no tripods...no long shutter speeds.

Also...as our cameras get more and more advanced, the AA filters are getting stronger....so somone who wants to do IR work with a D300 would be best off modifying their camera, as the AA filter is too strong.

Now, there is another alternative...and that is to remove the AA filter and replace it with clear glass. So, now you buy two screw on filters, one IR filter and one AntiAliasing screw on filter. You can now do both kinds of photography and you can choose what wavelength to block out. Only downside, is that you have to compose first, then screw the IR filter in (since you can't see through it).

All that work when you could screw on a filter and still have a
normal camera as well. Why?

Morris
--



http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD

--
I've upped my ISO, now up yours.

 

[SEHlaw]

Nice conversion. This does it for me - I'm going to watch for a used unmod D40 to do this.

 

[David Lal]

A really good guide as to how to do this and lovely false colour images. Well done!

If I ever upgrade my D70 it may well become a dedicated IR body.

David

 

[nakman]

Good question Morris. I have used that method before, when I first
started doing IR work a few years ago.

Hi Joshua, thanks for sharing your step by step adventure with us. Clear and detailed pics. I happen to have a broken in half 750nm filter ... and there's also that d50 that I have hard time parting with ...

However I read from a 300d (canon) site that thickness of implanted IR filter is crucial in getting accurate focus. It also suggested using spacers for those 3 screws holding sensor to body. So could you please inform me thickness of d40's AA filter ? Or maybe a link where I can find exact info on d50 original filter thickness (friend told me ±1.5mm).

Second quick question(s): how does Lifepixel's filter affect focusing with faster lens ? can you nail focus at f/2.8 as before modification ? I got backfocus with AF mostly at closer distance (using d50+r72 in front of lens).

tmia

 

[Cpt Galant]

Thanks for the very informative post. I've been thinking seriously about converting my D40 to IR. I converted my CP5700 a year or two ago and have really loved it. However, the limitations of small sensor and limited wide angle have me thinking DSLR.

I've heard that LifePixel will adjust the focus for IR since the higher wavelengths focus at a different point than visible light. Did you do any focus adjustments on your D40 or did it just work well without tampering? With the 5700 the image sensor itself focuses so it was no issue, but it is a concern with a DSLR.

Also, what lenses have you used successfully with IR? I've heard some have hot spots or are very prone to flare. Your images all seem well focused and free of flare (in addition to being well composed, I might add).

Thanks in advance.

--
A camera is just a tool - no matter how much one loves it.

 

[MagicNikon]

I never bothered to adjust focus on my modded D70, and I havent found that I need to on the D40 either.

I'm not even sure how to adjust the D40.

I used the 18-55mm II and the 16-85mm VR and found no hotspot in either one. My old Sigma 17-70mm and 10-20mm had bad hotspots that needed correction in postprocessing.
--
I've upped my ISO, now up yours.

 

[sydster]

The attached pic was taken with an unmodified Sony F717 that can be bought for less than the parts to modify a DSLR. You do need an R72 filter and it is slow, need a tripod. But the F717 is also a great 5MP camera with a Zeiss lens and swivel body. I don't use it much but it does well, most I.R. is static type photography anyway. They are all over bay most of the time.



--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sydsterama

 

[Bobalooie]

Ok magicnikon, I just ordered my ir filter from life pixel.....I wish I had your e-mail address or phone # in case of emergency...lol lol

 

[DimensionSeven]

You are talking about the hotmirror, not the AA filter.

The problem is that the AntiAliasing filter blocks IR wavelengths.
So, in order to get an IR exposure, you need to have an exposure time
of several seconds, and a tripod, even on a sunny day.

Using this method...removing the AA filter and replacing it with an
IR filter, I can do handheld photography, and compose TTL and shoot
on the fly....no tripods...no long shutter speeds.

Also...as our cameras get more and more advanced, the AA filters are
getting stronger....so somone who wants to do IR work with a D300
would be best off modifying their camera, as the AA filter is too
strong.

Now, there is another alternative...and that is to remove the AA
filter and replace it with clear glass. So, now you buy two screw on
filters, one IR filter and one AntiAliasing screw on filter. You can
now do both kinds of photography and you can choose what wavelength
to block out. Only downside, is that you have to compose first, then
screw the IR filter in (since you can't see through it).

All that work when you could screw on a filter and still have a
normal camera as well. Why?

Morris
--



http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD

--
I've upped my ISO, now up yours.

--
http://dimensionseven.deviantart.com

 

[MagicNikon]

My email is in my gallery, http://www.iflphoto.com

Email me if you have problems...

-Josh
--
I've upped my ISO, now up yours.

 

[johnparas11zenfoliodotcom]

I think I will buy a D40 or D40X just for infrared photography!!
--
http://www.johnparas11.zenfolio.com

 

[MagicNikon]

In what respect? I thought that the AA filter was what blocked IR light. Where is the hot miror located in relation to the AA filter? I had always assumed they were te same thing... the bluish green glass filter in front of the sensor.
--
I've upped my ISO, now up yours.

 

[Bobalooie]

Well, just got my filter today from Lifepixel......so, if I'm not too burnt out tomorrow night....surgery is planned..I'll either be up one infra-red camera, or down one D40X...lol lol
I'll religeosly follow Magicnikons tutorial

 

[El Taino]

--

I bought the filter from Life Pixel to convert my D100...Did everything as per their tutorial on their site and I mean every precaution. Once everything was put together, the camera never started up and there goes a perfectly working camera... I should have paid them to do it and be aware that I'm a patient, handy person. I opened the camera back and removed the $95 IR filter and its been gathering dust in a drawer for little over a year. I might consider getting a D40 for this. I'm going to contact them to see if they credit me a few bucks for the old D100 filter.

Great job and I'm happy everything went fine in your conversion. I wasn't that lucky.

 

[UltimaOnliner]

How much post processing was involved in creating those images?

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[wingcommander]

...but #1 and #2 were a tad soft.

Seriously- it's fascinating to see what's inside without actually taking one apart.