Comments on: Infrared photography – Unconverted vs Converted camera with different IR filters comparison

By: Dave Kennard

Dave Kennard — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 20:37:00 +0000

Hi Ken

First of all, apologies for the delayed reply. I’m very busy at the moment, so haven’t had any time for photography (or updating the website) for the last year or so.

I’m not sure what you mean with light flare in the sky? The unconverted camera images probably had some veiling flare, but that just reduces contrast across the whole image. The only image here with a light leak was the one taken with a 5D2 and adapted lens, and the light leak is very visible over the bottom half of the image, not the sky.

Do you just mean the long exposures? Obviously you can’t see clouds like that with your eyes since you can’t make long exposures with your eyes 🙂

In general you could expect an exposure time of something like 1/200s f/8 ISO200 with a converted camera or 3 minutes at the same settings for an unconverted camera.

Experimenting with filters on an unconverted camera is a relatively cheap way to see how you enjoy IR photography before splashing out on a converted camera. And then you can still use the filters on the new camera. The most popular (and probably well-regarded) IR filter is the Hoya R72, so I would probably suggest that over the Zomei (note I have no experience with the Hoya filter though).

However, if your main aim is dark skies, then this will become more difficult if using an unconverted camera. Due to the long exposures you’ll need to shoot on a day with no clouds (or very few clouds and no wind). Otherwise the clouds will blow across the sky during the exposure, as in the example images with my unconverted camera above.

Regards

Dave

By: ken glanzer

ken glanzer — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:47:51 +0000

Dave On the pictures with the possible light flare in the sky (not cloud shaped) was it from the light leaks you mentioned or was the cloud actually shaped like that & then at a later time? They had a rising shape I don’t ever seen in clouds. The flare picture you showed had the flare in the bottom of the picture & was rather broad. I can’t see how near black the sky would have been near the top of the picture. My goal with either conversion is the blackest shy in the upper 2/3’s of the shy. Would it be worthwhile to invest & experiment with a Zomei 680 or 780 filter on an unconverted camera to get the feel of it even with the longer exposures? How fast are the snap shots with a converted camera to the unconverted camera? Fixed objects would be stable but trees would be blurry depending on the wind but I’d like to try it.
I’m using a D2X now but am considering a full frame new camera that I would convert for B&W or Full spectrum only (maybe even the new 850). I’d like to see a combo camera with a way to shot either pictures that it seems Nikon could mop up the Infrared & Conventional market. I could still use them with a converted camera later.
On your picture comparison showing what filter was used, it would be handy to also show the shutter speed or equivalent ISO. Were they hand held or could have been? I’m sure a tripod was used on the unconverted shots.
Have you seen the full page sample pictures on Live Pixels web site? They are great, mouth watering & show 4 of the black sky pictures I want to duplicate but cannot find out how they were made.
ken 605 729 2077

By: ken glanzer

ken glanzer — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:34:32 +0000

I have a potential great application for infrared pictures that required the blackest skies in Black & White or a Color pictures. I’ve seen some great pictures that I would like to be able to recreate in Live Pixels web site but they have a problem of being unable to tell me exactly how they are obtained. I rented a converted camera from Barrow Camera specially telling them what I wanted to do & they sent me a Full Spectrum converted N5500 with several filters. Despite several phone calls too them & Live Pixel requesting the specific procedures, I could not obtain the black sky I wanted no matter what settings I used. Something kept evading me either technically or photographically. I’m a retired Boeing Quality Assurance Engineer who has run thousands of tests on airplane parts & ham radio antennas (& pictures since 1936) but could not come up with a combo that gave me the black sky’s with a full spectrum camera. Barrow Lens was of no help whatsoever. Then finally Live Pixel says you need a camera converted to B&W only (4th call).
Your pix examples show pretty much what I’m after but I need to know for sure what version to get a new camera converted to & what specific filters or contrast ratio’s to use.
I’m totally disgusted with the menu driven N5500 but will have to put up with the menu very slow nonsense with a fill chip camera also. They need detailed videos on how to use all their features so one can quickly use them. I’d like to be able to use one converted for full spectrum if possible as I really like all the color variations of pictures one can get as I have many applications for those pictures also.
I have a full very polite report I sent to Barrow Lens (on their poor marketing renting converted cameras & suggestions on how to improve it I’d like to send you). I am 88 & retired with limited funds or even time left in my life to learn all I need to know to get up to speed on infrared. I want to take off running with infrared as soon as possible.
I also have the desire to go to S. America in their summer for Ham Radio activity as experimenting with antennas is not possible in SD in the winter time. There is all the new scenery there to take pictures of also in particular in infrared. Can you send me your phone number or call me anytime at 605 729 2077? There may be just a few things that have evaded me that you could describe. This area of infrared has really got me excited Big Time for several reasons but I keep being misinformed. Please call. Ken Glanzer

By: Dave Kennard

Dave Kennard — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 21:00:27 +0000

In reply to Tony.

Hi Tony

Apologies for the rather delayed reply. I don’t have any for sale, you’re best off checking eBay as there are a few sellers (particularly in the US) who sell cameras they’ve converted. Typically these are quite a bit cheaper than buying your own and then having it converted.

Dave

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 09 May 2017 20:05:58 +0000

Do you have any IR cameras you are selling? I may be interested in purchasing a used one as a beginner.

By: Dave Kennard

Dave Kennard — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 08:20:46 +0000

In reply to Leo.

Hi Leo

I don’t think the IS Pro compares that well to modern cameras really. You can’t take photos in liveview mode, and high ISO performance isn’t very good. If you’re shooting with a filter that means you can’t see through the viewfinder (such as an IR or UV pass filter), then you’re stuck with the antiquated liveview implementation to try and frame the image. This is particularly problematic if trying to shoot handheld. You also need to shoot RAW+JPEG if you want to be able to zoom in much when reviewing images on the camera – not a big deal, but you don’t have to do that with Nikon.

I’d suggest getting another Nikon body (the more recent the better) and having it converted. It will have a much more usable liveview, better high ISO, more resolution, and depending on how new it is, similar dynamic range (though the DR will be in the shadows, whereas with Fuji it’s in the highlights). I think the IS Pro is quite collectible though.

Regards

Dave

By: Leo

Leo — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 02:41:49 +0000

Hi Dave- I’ve enjoyed reading your posts- great information and interesting variations. I was wondering if you could advise me. I’m considering getting a full spectrum camera (or making a conversion), and have my eye on a used Fuji IS pro. Do you think that camera still holds up against newer ones in the realm of full spectrum photography? I shoot with a Nikon, and have a bunch of Nikon Fx and Dx lenses, so the Nikon compatibility of the Fuji is appealing. I know the Fuji has its quirks- I used to own a S3. What are your thoughts?

Thanks and best wishes,
-Leo

By: Dave Kennard

Dave Kennard — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:30:30 +0000

In reply to Dave.

Hi Dave

For IR work I nearly always use my converted camera, and the Zomei IR filters work fine there. If I was using a standard camera, I would take a look at the Hoya R72, which seems to be very popular. But with a converted camera, the Zomei filters are plenty good enough so I don’t have any need to pony up the extra cash for the Hoya.

The only Lee filter I’m using at the moment is a #12 Yellow polyester filter, which I’ve cut and mounted in a cheap UV filter frame. I’d actually prefer a glass filter, but #12 Yellow glass filters seem to be pretty expensive.

Kind regards

Dave

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 03:33:40 +0000

Hi, I really enjoyed reading your review of the Zomei IR filters Do you find yourself using your Lee filters more or the Zomei? Have you had better luck with any other brands?

Thx

Dave