p.1 #1 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
I'm thinking about converting my 5D to IR ... but having not done much IR before, I was wondering how the conversion might impact it's resale value, i.e. how much of the conversion cost should I expect to lose/recoup if I decide to sell it later?
Anybody sold/bought/seen an IR 5D lately?
Also, what considerations regarding IR filter can you guys weigh in on?
p.1 #2 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
I converted my 5D. Didn't consider re-sale when doing it. I suspect, however, you won't lose any of the 5D's base value. I don't know how much of the conversion cost you might recoup, but I doubt you would get it all back. IR-converted cameras do appear to sell at a premium to non-converted cameras.
p.1 #4 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
Considering that the cost of converting a camera to IR has come way down in price, the odds of you "losing" some of that investment has also come way down. Of course, a lot will depend on the market for an IR-converted body. I had an older 10D converted at Lifepixel a few years back at a cost of about $400 or so for the standard IR filter (I find the color IR filters to be a bit gimmicky and the results funky looking)...that same conversion is now going for $250, which is not a whole lot more than the cost of a high quality IR threaded filter.
p.1 #5 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
I realize it depends on the camera model but the threaded IR filters I've used (4 in all) add so much time to the exposure that all the interesting bits (leaves, grass etc.) end up turning into a whirl of blur. Right, isn't that the advantage of converting the camera - the shutter speeds increase back to something normal-ish?
p.1 #6 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
Bifurcator wrote:
I realize it depends on the camera model but the threaded IR filters I've used (4 in all) add so much time to the exposure that all the interesting bits (leaves, grass etc.) end up turning into a whirl of blur. Right, isn't that the advantage of converting the camera - the shutter speeds increase back to something normal-ish?
p.1 #7 · Infrared 5D ??? Filter choice, Cost vs. Resale, etc.
Check if your lenses will do IR reasonably well. A fair number of modern lenses have low contrast or "hot spots" (actually reflections, nothing to do with heat of course) on account of the anti-reflection coatings used. If you have a few favorite lenses for your Canon's and it turns out they don't work with IR very well you might be disappointed. Fortunately I think there is pretty good data on all the EOS lenses, with a Google search you should turn up what lenses work well and which have problems.
One final issue with a 5D - or any non-liveview DSLR - is composition and focus. Read the conversion options carefully and decide exactly what you want. Lenses do not focus at the same distance for IR so you'll need to make sure the AF sensor/system is somehow compensated or you'll be restricted to shooting small apertures and manually shifting the focus.
