Infrared with K7
Posted 02/06/2011 - 10:44 - Helpful Comment
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Are you talking about a permanent conversion (ie. replacing the low pass filter with one that blocks visible light)? If so, handholding would be fine. I have a converted k10d and exposure times are on a par with a normal camera. Not sure if the aerial aspect changes things but I wouldn't have thought so.
Are you sure you want to convert a K7 though? It's still a pretty current model and there are risks with any conversion.
I sent mine to a chap in China. His service was excellent, quick and a lot cheaper than any alternatives I found. I'll pass his details on via PM if you are interested. I would be cautious though - not because of him but because of sending such a high value item by post to China. You may prefer not to take the risk and get it done in the UK, in which case ACS (Advanced Camera Services) convert DSLRs but are pricey.
My first outing with the IR k10d is in the Your Photos forum
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What I have learnt so far:
- Setting a custom white balance before shooting helps enormously when you are processing. I didn't do that for the photos I've posted so far and getting the classic white foliage look was tricky
- Light and exposure doesn't act in the same way and results can be variable. Hopefully I will improve on this as I learn.
- Certain lenses are not good for IR photography (including most wide angle lenses). The 18-55 kit lens seems to be the best of the lenses I own.
- You have to trust the autofocus. IR light has a different focus to visible light. The autofocus on my k10d was adjusted for me when it was converted. When framing a shot through the viewfinder (visible light) the shot therefore appears out of focus. Live view can help with this.
Cheers
WG
Are you sure you want to convert a K7 though? It's still a pretty current model and there are risks with any conversion.
I sent mine to a chap in China. His service was excellent, quick and a lot cheaper than any alternatives I found. I'll pass his details on via PM if you are interested. I would be cautious though - not because of him but because of sending such a high value item by post to China. You may prefer not to take the risk and get it done in the UK, in which case ACS (Advanced Camera Services) convert DSLRs but are pricey.
My first outing with the IR k10d is in the Your Photos forum
link
What I have learnt so far:
- Setting a custom white balance before shooting helps enormously when you are processing. I didn't do that for the photos I've posted so far and getting the classic white foliage look was tricky
- Light and exposure doesn't act in the same way and results can be variable. Hopefully I will improve on this as I learn.
- Certain lenses are not good for IR photography (including most wide angle lenses). The 18-55 kit lens seems to be the best of the lenses I own.
- You have to trust the autofocus. IR light has a different focus to visible light. The autofocus on my k10d was adjusted for me when it was converted. When framing a shot through the viewfinder (visible light) the shot therefore appears out of focus. Live view can help with this.
Cheers
WG
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 02/06/2011 - 11:04
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Thanks for the reply! Yes I am thinking about a permanent conversion. I go to China with work, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, so would be very interested in your contact there, and some idea of price.The other option I have considered is selling the K7 and getting a Km to convert. As far as lenses I thought about using some old manual focus primes, but if the kit lens works with af then that would possibly be a better option.
I really liked your first set with your K10d, in fact I commented on them.
I really liked your first set with your K10d, in fact I commented on them.
Posted 02/06/2011 - 11:35
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I've sent you a PM with his details.
He usually has some Pentax cameras already converted which may interest you. From my experience I would make sure that any camera you use has focus adjustment available as it makes things much easier.
Manually focusing is possible but you need to adjust the focus. I think that older lenses tend to have a separate IR focus scale on them to help with that.
He usually has some Pentax cameras already converted which may interest you. From my experience I would make sure that any camera you use has focus adjustment available as it makes things much easier.
Manually focusing is possible but you need to adjust the focus. I think that older lenses tend to have a separate IR focus scale on them to help with that.
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 02/06/2011 - 12:31
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Thanks for the pm I will get in touch with him! I have a few lenses with ir scale on them but af sounds like a good option. Look forward to seeing more of your ir work on the forum, and hopefully will have some of my own in the not too distant future!
Posted 02/06/2011 - 19:23
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forgive me for asking, but why remake a camera? Why are not satisfied with an infrared filter? Are you so in demand infrared photography to customize it for the camera, the more so as the K-7?
PENTAX K-3, PENTAX K-30,PENTAX K-5, PENTAX K 20D,Pentax FA*250-600 5.6, Pentax DA*200 2.8, Pentax A 50 1.7, Pentax 10-17 3.5-4.5 Fish Eye, Pentax A 100 4 Macro, Pentax FA 77 1.8 Limited,Pentax DA*50-135 2.8,Pentax FA*400 5.6,Sigma 30 1.4,Sigma 10-20 4-5.6, Sigma 18-50 2.8 DC EX, Helios 40 1.5, Tair-3s 300 4.5, Mir-10A 3.528, Mir-20N 3.5/20, tc Sigma 2x EX DG, Flash Sigma EF-530 DG ST
Posted 02/06/2011 - 20:57
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ArsenAl wrote:
forgive me for asking, but why remake a camera? Why are not satisfied with an infrared filter? Are you so in demand infrared photography to customize it for the camera, the more so as the K-7?
The camera with an IR filter needs exposures of several seconds, and the subject is not visible in the viewfinder due to the filter.forgive me for asking, but why remake a camera? Why are not satisfied with an infrared filter? Are you so in demand infrared photography to customize it for the camera, the more so as the K-7?
The modified camera allows normal daylight exposures, and you can compose the picture in the viewfinder.
The main reason to use the K7 is that it has live view, so you can compose the picture while seeing the actual IR image. However, it is still an expensive camera...
Posted 03/06/2011 - 08:08
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After a bit of research (based on info kindly supplied by Wobbly Goblin) I have decided I may sell the K7 and get an already converted camera. Not because I don't want to modify the K7, but because it's more convenient and cost effective.
Posted 20/06/2011 - 20:41
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Hi, just picked up on this thread. I use a standard K7 at the mo but I'm also very interested in getting a Pentax body converted for IR use.
@WobblyGoblin would you mind also pm'ing me the details of your Chinese contact?
Thanks
@WobblyGoblin would you mind also pm'ing me the details of your Chinese contact?
Thanks
Posted 20/06/2011 - 22:27
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No problem.
Hope he's happy with me sending his details out like this I've sent them to quite a few people now. Has anyone actually contacted him and heard back/ordered anything?
Hope he's happy with me sending his details out like this I've sent them to quite a few people now. Has anyone actually contacted him and heard back/ordered anything?
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 26/06/2011 - 16:58
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One of my friends just had her Nikon SLR converted in Winnipeg, Manitoba
http://camerarepair.ca/
you can view her images here and she is typically shooting at 1/250th of a second.
http://www.pbase.com/marnsphotos/nikon_d80_infrared_photos
Here is a quote they sent to me several days ago.
Canon SX10 $86 labour + $169 parts
Pentax K10D $110 labour + $188 parts
Pentax K5 $140 labour + $188 parts
All plus taxes and return shipping. We are assuming 1.5mm thickness for the Pentax’s but we will likely have to verify before ordering.
http://camerarepair.ca/
you can view her images here and she is typically shooting at 1/250th of a second.
http://www.pbase.com/marnsphotos/nikon_d80_infrared_photos
Here is a quote they sent to me several days ago.
Canon SX10 $86 labour + $169 parts
Pentax K10D $110 labour + $188 parts
Pentax K5 $140 labour + $188 parts
All plus taxes and return shipping. We are assuming 1.5mm thickness for the Pentax’s but we will likely have to verify before ordering.
Posted 27/06/2011 - 20:33
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Is there anyone on this board that has converted a Pentax *isD to IR? I would appreciate hearing from you
Posted 27/06/2011 - 20:40
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I believe the *isD doesn't have such a strong IR filter so it's probably a lot more cost effective to buy a I filter for on your lens.
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
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