Hi,
I have not seen any threads pertaining to this topic, so I would like to start it.
For all Sony owners, how are your experiences in IR photography (not just Nightshot photography)? I've searched around the net, but most of the info is very general. Since Sony Nightshot Cams react to IR photography differently, some of the advise cannot be applied.
For a start, let me share what I know:
1) You need an IR filter to take IR photos. R72 (720nm) is generally recommended but NOT when Nightshot is ON (which is as good as any other cams). If you want to take using Nightshot mode, you need to get a higher filter like 900-1000nm. Does Nightshot feature get any advantage in shooting IR photos?
2) IR Flash: there are many methods to make your own IR filter and cover your existing flash so that you get illuminate your objects with IR. I can't find any commercial IR filters for flash, but Sony manufactures IR lights for Nightshot users. There are 2 models available: HVL-IRH2 and HVL-IRM. IRH2 is built for camcorders and comes with 2 modes: IR light and normal light, with coverage up to 20m. IRM is built for digicams, supports Sony batteries as well as 2xAA batteries, with coverage up to 30m. Both models do not have 'auto-exposure': there is a knob to control the intensity of the IR depending on the distance of your subjects. With IR flash, I believe Nighshot users can tryly achieve pure darkness photography. The built-in IR illuminator in the F828 is pathetically useless. I almost never use it in the dark. In fact, I use Nightshot to shoot daytime low-light situations when normal ISO800 setting is still inadequate for a fast shutter shot.
3) X-ray photography: Is this myth or fact? Years ago, this is a known 'feature' on Sony cams, but since then, Sony claims to have fixed it, yet there are people who have continued getting the results using special filters. Has anyone tried it before? Personally, I think this is not possible. If people can 'see-through' clothings based on IR logic, then anyone with appropriate IR filters, lens and film could have done it. Why then did Sony seems like the culprit for this photographic 'technique'?
Having all the above info is useless if I don't know how to use it. If there are people out there who have done it, hope to hear your experience.
I have not seen any threads pertaining to this topic, so I would like to start it.
For all Sony owners, how are your experiences in IR photography (not just Nightshot photography)? I've searched around the net, but most of the info is very general. Since Sony Nightshot Cams react to IR photography differently, some of the advise cannot be applied.
For a start, let me share what I know:
1) You need an IR filter to take IR photos. R72 (720nm) is generally recommended but NOT when Nightshot is ON (which is as good as any other cams). If you want to take using Nightshot mode, you need to get a higher filter like 900-1000nm. Does Nightshot feature get any advantage in shooting IR photos?
2) IR Flash: there are many methods to make your own IR filter and cover your existing flash so that you get illuminate your objects with IR. I can't find any commercial IR filters for flash, but Sony manufactures IR lights for Nightshot users. There are 2 models available: HVL-IRH2 and HVL-IRM. IRH2 is built for camcorders and comes with 2 modes: IR light and normal light, with coverage up to 20m. IRM is built for digicams, supports Sony batteries as well as 2xAA batteries, with coverage up to 30m. Both models do not have 'auto-exposure': there is a knob to control the intensity of the IR depending on the distance of your subjects. With IR flash, I believe Nighshot users can tryly achieve pure darkness photography. The built-in IR illuminator in the F828 is pathetically useless. I almost never use it in the dark. In fact, I use Nightshot to shoot daytime low-light situations when normal ISO800 setting is still inadequate for a fast shutter shot.
3) X-ray photography: Is this myth or fact? Years ago, this is a known 'feature' on Sony cams, but since then, Sony claims to have fixed it, yet there are people who have continued getting the results using special filters. Has anyone tried it before? Personally, I think this is not possible. If people can 'see-through' clothings based on IR logic, then anyone with appropriate IR filters, lens and film could have done it. Why then did Sony seems like the culprit for this photographic 'technique'?
Having all the above info is useless if I don't know how to use it. If there are people out there who have done it, hope to hear your experience.