pentax *ist D

has anyone taken apart an *ist D? we want to get at the hot filter to convert to IR (previously done with other cameras): have replaced my *stD with K10D, so it is redundant.

I'd look at picking up a second hand DS which doesn't need modding rather than risk damaging the D

A reapir house can replace the IR filter with plain glass. This is done quite a lot in the USA and Fujifilm actually market IR versions of their S5 Pro and S9600 cameras.

As far as I know the sensor and filter would be the same on the Ds as it is on the D. IR sensitivity is okay on both, but with the filter removed I'm guessing shutter speeds would be much less - handholdable?

Dan

Hi Dan,

surely you'd get faster shutter speeds, making it more.. err.. handholdable.

It's a filter afterall, and if you remove it, you'll get a greater % of light hitting the sensor.

Cheers

Liam

Okay, that was bad punctuation.

...with the filter removed I'm guessing shutter speeds would be much less. Handholdable?

How's that?

Dan

And when I say much less, I mean quantatively, as in 1/30s is less than 1/4s. So faster. Or higher.

How can something that's higher be less?

Dan

How did the term "shutter speed" ever come to be coined, anyway? Surely even when they opened and closed completely for every exposure, they always did so at the same speed, just leaving the hole in the middle open for longer or shorter times?

Okay, from now on 'Shutter Speed' is a banned term, no longer to be used.

Hence forth, Exposure Length is the phrase.

Don't let Chris catch you using that old term.

Dan

Shutter velocity anyone?

Runs and hides.

Sorry, Tim, velocity is a vector quantity and you will need to specify a value and a direction.....

Unfortunately phpBB2 doesn't have the "geek" or "uber geek" smiley...roll on phpBB3....

well I seem to have started something if only an intellectual exercise on the definition of shutter speeds; the whole point of modifying the camera for ir is so that I CAN handhold. I have an Olympus C70 which has been modified and can be hand held, but it is "only" a 7.1 compact. I'm hoping for better results with the Pentax :ist conversion, especially as I can use "proper" SLR lenses (now start debating wot's a "proper" lens, boys). So far as progress with the conversion is concerned: it has been done, over Christmas, the hot filter removed and the camera all put together again. Only problem the backup battery failed and we didn't have a spare, so will have to wait a few days for the Sea Trials. I will keep you all up to date, if you are interested.

I'll be very interested to see the results and also what sort of exposure times are needed. I've dabbled a little with IR using my unmodified *istDS and the results have been pretty decent - a tripod is essential though.