UV / IR question

Nisa · 26th June 2005

i kept seeing this "modified" camera thing around.
So let's say if i went and modified my D70, would it be better for taking UV and IR photography?

And if i modify it, what am i actually taking out?

Pablo · 26th June 2005

Originally Posted by Nisa

i kept seeing this "modified" camera thing around.
So let's say if i went and modified my D70, would it be better for taking UV and IR photography?

And if i modify it, what am i actually taking out?

Hi Nisa,

From what I believe, the manufacturers put a filter on the CMOS/CCD to cut down the influence of IR and UV on photo's.

The modification is the removal of this filter.

The camera now needs an external filter applied if you want to take standard colour photo's.

I am shure others will expand on this explanation

Cheers

deadpixel · 26th June 2005

Originally Posted by Pablo

Hi Nisa,

From what I believe, the manufacturers put a filter on the CMOS/CCD to cut down the influence of IR and UV on photo's.

The modification is the removal of this filter.

The camera now needs an external filter applied if you want to take standard colour photo's.

I am shure others will expand on this explanation

Cheers

Once the filter is removed, it has to be replaced by a clear piece of glass of the same thickness as the filter that was removed, otherwise your camera's focusing goes wonky. From here there are two ways for you to go:

1. To create a pure IR camera, you'd have a IR (pass) filter fitted together with the new clear glass directly over the sensor. This allows you to compose and focus without the need for attaching and removing any IR filters. It allows you to use any lens without the hassle of looking for or buying any filters. The disadvantages are that you'll be stuck with just one type of IR filter, the one you select to be placed over your sensor and that the camera would be totally useless for normal photography.

2. To create a hybrid IR + Normal camera, you'd leave out the IR (pass) filter. Such a camera would require you to compose your shot before putting on the IR filters as you would rely on regular over-the-lens IR filters. The advantage with this type of camera is that you'd still be able to use it for normal photography if you get yourself an IR (cut) filter, also known as a hot mirror filter. The disadvantages are that you'd need to go through the hassle of attaching and removing the filter and the need for multiple filters for different sized lenses.

They both share a common advantage in that they are both highly sensitive to IR, so much so that even with a 900nm IRP filter in place, you'd still be taking photos as if in normal lighting conditions. This makes them perfect for IR portrait, candid, street, wedding and even wildlife photography.

Cheers,
Matt

Grevolorio · 27th June 2005

Nisa,
I have a Nikon Coolpix 990 that I converted. I removed the hot mirror and put a clear piece of glass instead. I didn't put an IR filter internally because I wanted to be able to try other filters like my old dark red filter to get other effects. Now I can use it handheld without a problem. What I notice is that with auto white balance it works similar to my D70 with an R72 filter with preset WB. I got a custom WB with the converted and it basically desaturates the image but gives a great looking image for weddings.
Cheers, Gus

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Matt, so where do u suggest I bring my D70 to modify in Singapore?

vortex · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by Nisa

Matt, so where do u suggest I bring my D70 to modify in Singapore?

Click here
D70 IR Modding

deadpixel · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by Nisa

Matt, so where do u suggest I bring my D70 to modify in Singapore?

Nisa,

There're quite a few places/persons you could send your camera to in other countries that do this but I'm not sure if you'd be able to find a shop in SG that will do this mod for you. After all, we SGeans are famous complain + demand refund kings.

But if you'd like to try it out yourself, here's a couple of sites with instructions:

DIY IRC filter removal

JR-WorldWi.de - Digicam Modding

Take this step only if your camera's warranty is expired and if you're serious about going IR all the way. Personally, I'm thinking of getting a D70s and converting my current, warranty-expired D70 to a pure IR camera, but I'll have to wait to see what the mid-year bonus is like.

Cheers,
Matt

vortex · 27th June 2005

Here's another one for modding of Olympus and Minolta cameras for IR conversion.

http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/index.html?modding.html

vortex · 27th June 2005

i came across a site before that sells modded D70 directly...

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by vortex

Click here
D70 IR Modding

ERRRR i don't think so!!! too complicated!

plus fat fingers don't do such things well....

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by deadpixel

Nisa,

There're quite a few places/persons you could send your camera to in other countries that do this but I'm not sure if you'd be able to find a shop in SG that will do this mod for you. After all, we SGeans are famous complain + demand refund kings.

Take this step only if your camera's warranty is expired and if you're serious about going IR all the way. Personally, I'm thinking of getting a D70s and converting my current, warranty-expired D70 to a pure IR camera, but I'll have to wait to see what the mid-year bonus is like.
Cheers,
Matt

I am a complain queen who doesn't demand refund.

how about u doing urs frist, then if u did it well.... do mine as well... huh? wait till expired? next year thing leh....

I am thinking about getting another D70

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by vortex

i came across a site before that sells modded D70 directly...

Where

WHERE?!?!?

deadpixel · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by Nisa

Where

WHERE?!?!?

I think it was a US site, and they were actually selling modded D100, Canon Rabels, 10D and 20D as well. You could also send in your camera for modding.

Check out this site IR Enabled Cameras

Cheers

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by deadpixel

I think it was a US site, and they were actually selling modded D100, Canon Rabels, 10D and 20D as well. You could also send in your camera for modding.

Check out this site IR Enabled Cameras

Cheers

uncle! USD LEH! 2K leh!!!

Can't afford lah!

vortex · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by deadpixel

I think it was a US site, and they were actually selling modded D100, Canon Rabels, 10D and 20D as well. You could also send in your camera for modding.

Check out this site IR Enabled Cameras

Cheers

yea thats the website.

can lah..nisa...im sure u can afford it

if not...learn to mod yourself lor. or pay someone to mod for u

Nisa · 27th June 2005

Originally Posted by vortex

yea thats the website.

can lah..nisa...im sure u can afford it

if not...learn to mod yourself lor. or pay someone to mod for u

i can't afford. if i can, i would get a nicer lens liao.

I am already thinking about it..... mod myself? a bit.... but i don't mind someone doing it for me....

quekky · 28th June 2005

Originally Posted by Nisa

i can't afford. if i can, i would get a nicer lens liao.

I am already thinking about it..... mod myself? a bit.... but i don't mind someone doing it for me....

hey nisa, u need a small piece of elp filter? I'm thinking of ordering a small piece for modding my d70 at later stage. maybe can conduct a MO

Nisa · 28th June 2005

Originally Posted by quekky

hey nisa, u need a small piece of elp filter? I'm thinking of ordering a small piece for modding my d70 at later stage. maybe can conduct a MO

hmmm i don't mind having it.

but the thing is who is going to help me modify mine?

and when u say later stage... what date are u looking at?

quekky · 28th June 2005

after the trip (wait scully no cam for trip then die

)

Nisa · 28th June 2005

Originally Posted by quekky

after the trip (wait scully no cam for trip then die )

hmm i was planning to get it before the trip and so i can have 2 bodies.

26th June 2005	#1
Nisa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,259	UV / IR question i kept seeing this "modified" camera thing around. So let's say if i went and modified my D70, would it be better for taking UV and IR photography? And if i modify it, what am i actually taking out?

27th June 2005	#8
vortex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SG / LDN Posts: 3,021	Here's another one for modding of Olympus and Minolta cameras for IR conversion. http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/index.html?modding.html __________________ My Photos on Flickr IR Photography

27th June 2005	#9
vortex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SG / LDN Posts: 3,021	i came across a site before that sells modded D70 directly... __________________ My Photos on Flickr IR Photography

27th June 2005	#4
Grevolorio New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 13	Nisa, I have a Nikon Coolpix 990 that I converted. I removed the hot mirror and put a clear piece of glass instead. I didn't put an IR filter internally because I wanted to be able to try other filters like my old dark red filter to get other effects. Now I can use it handheld without a problem. What I notice is that with auto white balance it works similar to my D70 with an R72 filter with preset WB. I got a custom WB with the converted and it basically desaturates the image but gives a great looking image for weddings. Cheers, Gus

28th June 2005	#19
quekky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: www.irphotography.com Posts: 1,377	after the trip (wait scully no cam for trip then die )