Section for infrared photography

Englischdude

Senior Member
Off to the weird and wonderful.................today I sent my D80 off to irrecams.de to be converted to 700nm infrared. Am really excited about exploring this abstract world, would be great if a forum section could be opened dedicated to infrared photography!
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I had my D7000 done last year. It's a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing what you do. If they don't manage a specific section at least we might be able to get a couple threads going.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I don't have an infrared camera but would like to see a separate, dedicated section for infrared photography, too. :)
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
I try to avoid creating too many sub-sections when I can. Since I'm guessing 99% of the people here don't have a camera that can shoot infrared, it doesn't make sense yet to add a dedicated section.

In the meantime you can tag you posts 'infrared'. That will help others find them.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
I would love to convert my D90, even though I have heard they don't convert well. Thinking maybe a standard conversion. Someday.
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
I try to avoid creating too many sub-sections when I can. Since I'm guessing 99% of the people here don't have a camera that can shoot infrared, it doesn't make sense yet to add a dedicated section.

In the meantime you can tag you posts 'infrared'. That will help others find them.


i agree that not too many people have a dedicated camera for IR, however with a screw on lens many cameras have the possibility to shoot IR. I will therefore post in "Abstract" for the meantime, unless there is a more suitable place for posting. Please advise.
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
i agree that not too many people have a dedicated camera for IR, however with a screw on lens many cameras have the possibility to shoot IR. I will therefore post in "Abstract" for the meantime, unless there is a more suitable place for posting. Please advise.

Abstract would probably be the best fit for most photos, yes.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I would love to convert my D90, even though I have heard they don't convert well. Thinking maybe a standard conversion. Someday.

I'm assuming you're talking about WB issue mentioned on the LifePixel site. They say the same thing about the D7000. The thing they don't do a good job detailing in that video is that the issue has everything to do with in-camera WB for jpeg output. If you're shooting RAW and willing to play with the WB in post then you should have no issues. I've got a D90 that I'm seriously pondering sending to Kolari Vision (the folks who did my D7000) for a dual spectrum conversion. I'm liking the idea that I can use filters of varying wavelengths on the IR side, and also still use it as a normal camera with an IR filter on the front. Conversion price is the same, with the added expense being the external filters (about $60-85 each).
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
to be honest, if you are not interested in post processing at all it raises the question of whether infrared photography is a good idea at all! In my limited experience all IR photography requires some post processing.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
I'm assuming you're talking about WB issue mentioned on the LifePixel site. They say the same thing about the D7000. The thing they don't do a good job detailing in that video is that the issue has everything to do with in-camera WB for jpeg output. If you're shooting RAW and willing to play with the WB in post then you should have no issues. I've got a D90 that I'm seriously pondering sending to Kolari Vision (the folks who did my D7000) for a dual spectrum conversion. I'm liking the idea that I can use filters of varying wavelengths on the IR side, and also still use it as a normal camera with an IR filter on the front. Conversion price is the same, with the added expense being the external filters (about $60-85 each).

This is my idea as well. I like the idea of still being able to have normal use out of the camera. After a little research the only problems I believe I would have with the D90 is I hear that you won't get a lot of handheld shots. I am not too sure on the reason for this though. Have you heard anything about it?
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
just out of curiosity why do it when you can use a photoshop plugin? not being a smart a**, im really curious. is the quality better? is it that noticeable? with the nik color efex, Ive done done that and ive shot with infrared in many weddings and there is no discernible difference. the app is very good. thats a roll I found recently in a drawer. I had 15 or so in the freezer and had to toss them from not using them. but truthfully using the nik color efex was even nicer.
infrared.jpg
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I've never had to use a tripod for infrared in my life. The only time you would is if you tried to do IR with out converting the camera since it needs a very long exposure due to the filter in the stack.


As for Photoshop it fakes the look. With the IR filter removed you get light that you'd never get otherwise. Sure you have to shoot a lot of IR to justify the conversion cost but if that's the look you want then it's the only way to go.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
And I'm talking for landscapes and other things. Honestly, IR and people is a look I'm not fond of, though I can see the impact of B&W IR. For weddings and such I can see how PS/Nik might be enough, but not if you really want to capture IR light as it really exists. I'm sorry, but you'll not get looks like this with plain post-processing of a straight RAW file.

10438601284_20f5301273_o.jpg


10176401296_6f2906697a_o.jpg


10114978955_3fe5195a56_o.jpg


9241402940_a1258e044a_o.jpg


9187729932_0a08956d15_o.jpg



Now I can see if the look is over the top and not what you'd want to shoot. In those cases, sure, go with software. But the options I have - Channel Swap vs. No Channel Swap, single color, cotton candy, etc. - you just can't get to all of them from a regular camera.
 
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Englischdude

Senior Member
Those pics are fantastic. Cant wait to get my d80 back and a few sunny days. Have already dowloaded some ir raw files and been experimenting in gimp. This is going to be blast!
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
oh well, thats the end of that i guess. Just had an email from the company, that the ir conversion went very well, but there seems to be an issue now with the rear screen. It is backlighting but no text. They have tried taking the camera apart and checking all cables but to no avail. They suspect that due to the pressure applied during cleaning the sensor, maybe a dry soldering joint has broken or something. Bummer! In any case the communication was great and they gave me a number of options for compensation. Either the camera back as is no charge for the conversion, they source another d80, they source a similar camera of similar value D40 or D70 for example and convert it, or they send me cash to cover the value of the camera which we agreed at 150 euro. Ive taken the last option. Now what to do about getting into IR ........... :flustered::confused:
 

wud

Senior Member
oh well, thats the end of that i guess. Just had an email from the company, that the ir conversion went very well, but there seems to be an issue now with the rear screen. It is backlighting but no text. They have tried taking the camera apart and checking all cables but to no avail. They suspect that due to the pressure applied during cleaning the sensor, maybe a dry soldering joint has broken or something. Bummer! In any case the communication was great and they gave me a number of options for compensation. Either the camera back as is no charge for the conversion, they source another d80, they source a similar camera of similar value D40 or D70 for example and convert it, or they send me cash to cover the value of the camera which we agreed at 150 euro. Ive taken the last option. Now what to do about getting into IR ........... :flustered::confused:


I would have chosen to get another camera converted.. now you gotta buy a camera, send it to them, pay for the conversion, get it back..
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I would have chosen to get another camera converted.. now you gotta buy a camera, send it to them, pay for the conversion, get it back..

I agree with Mai here, if you're still interested in the IR thing. The folks at KolariVision, who did mine, will occasionally have already converted Nikon's available on their eBay store, and they ship internationally, so either keep an eye out or contact them to see if there's anything coming in. Here's a link to their product page, which has a link to the eBay store.

Products | Kolari Vision Infrared Conversion Service and IR Photography Cameras

Sorry to hear about yours. Definitely more than a bit of a bummer.
 
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