Wonder if this has been posted before but does anyone know where can i find a place that would convert my E-510 to a Infrared Red camera? I heard that a E-510 makes a good IR cam..
Thanks =)
Thanks =)
[ Tech ] - IR Conversion
- Thread starter teeyt
- Start date
hi teeyt, got your pm.
let's just get this out of the way first. if you intend to convert a E-system camera to IR, don't do it on any model with IS. the floating sensor block is a PITA to dismantle and remount. get a E420, 410, 400, 500, etc to save yourself alot of headache.
i have not had the time to shoot samples with mine, so apologies for the lack of pics. anyway i did the conversion for fun since my E510 had a spoilt pop-up flash and it was sitting in the dry cab for some time.
the conversion process took me about 4hrs+. got a IR filter from Edmund Optics for about $9 and cut it with a glass cutter to size. the cutting doesn't have to be very smooth as there will be a retaining frame that holds the IR filter to the sensor. the rest of it is really just removing screws that hold the body together, followed by the screws that hold the circuit boards and the 2 springs that hold the sensor block. a computer tool kit and small tweezer is required.
the difficult part is removing the SSWF without introducing dust (impossible unless you have a clean room) and removing the retaining frame that holds the AA filter to the sensor.
problems i encountered:
1) retaining frame is very fragile so it got slightly bent, which causes it to touch the SSWF when switching the camera on, making a buzzing noise.
2) dust got in between the IR filter and sensor, so there are permanent dust spots.
3) flexible circuit boards are very difficult to put back in place if they come off. this causes mine to have some power problems.
others:
1) AF works, i didn't not notice any front / back focusing issues after conversion. probably cos 4/3s has enough DOF to negate the difference.
2) exposure, metering with my 50/2, 12-60 and 7-14 are ok. with the 50-200 mk2, there is the tendancy to underexpose by 1.5 to 2 stops
i'll see if i can find the pics i took during the conversion and post it here.
let's just get this out of the way first. if you intend to convert a E-system camera to IR, don't do it on any model with IS. the floating sensor block is a PITA to dismantle and remount. get a E420, 410, 400, 500, etc to save yourself alot of headache.
i have not had the time to shoot samples with mine, so apologies for the lack of pics. anyway i did the conversion for fun since my E510 had a spoilt pop-up flash and it was sitting in the dry cab for some time.
the conversion process took me about 4hrs+. got a IR filter from Edmund Optics for about $9 and cut it with a glass cutter to size. the cutting doesn't have to be very smooth as there will be a retaining frame that holds the IR filter to the sensor. the rest of it is really just removing screws that hold the body together, followed by the screws that hold the circuit boards and the 2 springs that hold the sensor block. a computer tool kit and small tweezer is required.
the difficult part is removing the SSWF without introducing dust (impossible unless you have a clean room) and removing the retaining frame that holds the AA filter to the sensor.
problems i encountered:
1) retaining frame is very fragile so it got slightly bent, which causes it to touch the SSWF when switching the camera on, making a buzzing noise.
2) dust got in between the IR filter and sensor, so there are permanent dust spots.
3) flexible circuit boards are very difficult to put back in place if they come off. this causes mine to have some power problems.
others:
1) AF works, i didn't not notice any front / back focusing issues after conversion. probably cos 4/3s has enough DOF to negate the difference.
2) exposure, metering with my 50/2, 12-60 and 7-14 are ok. with the 50-200 mk2, there is the tendancy to underexpose by 1.5 to 2 stops
i'll see if i can find the pics i took during the conversion and post it here.
Cool.. Are there any specialised shops that do this for you for a couple of bucks? Since it sounds like some dangerous heart surgery.. lol =)
locally, not that i know of. most conversion services are for N and C.
there's an Indonesian photographer in Jakarta that does for oly, but you would have to either go there or ship your camera to him. i heard he does a very good conversion job. try googling for it.
Does any1 else know of a more local alternative? Or at least a (huge) stone's throw away in Malaysia? =)
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