Archive 2016 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

uintaangler
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

I have been tempted lately to give Infrared Photography a try by sending a camera to LifePixel to be converted
Has anybody done this, not necessarily with LifePixel, using an RX100, MK1 or MK2?
Trying to determine if that is the right camera for my experiment
Thanks.

Sep 20, 2016 at 08:29 AM

realVivek
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

I have not. I would not either. Any lens that sports a T* coating should be auotmatically avoided for IR work.

Google T* coatings and what Zeiss claim about them.

Sep 20, 2016 at 05:34 PM

uintaangler
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

"The fact that lens coating technology – vapor deposition of a thin, even coating on the lens surface to reduce reflections and maximize transmission – was originally a Carl Zeiss patent is well known. The Zeiss company also developed and proved the efficacy of multi-layer coatings for photographic lenses, and this is the technology that became the T* coating.
Until the introduction of coated lenses, the lens surface would reflect a large percentage of the incoming light, thus reducing transmission and making it difficult to use multiple of elements in lens designs. Effective coatings made it possible to design more complex optics that delivered significantly improved performance. Reduced internal reflection contributed to minimum flare and high contrast.
The Carl Zeiss T* coating is not simply applied to any lens. The T* symbol only appears on multi-element lenses in which the required performance has been achieved throughout the entire optical path, and it is therefore a guarantee of the highest quality."

Can you explain to me why this would be a problem for IR photography?

Thanks.

Sep 20, 2016 at 05:45 PM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

It's not a problem. should be possible to convert to IR, definitely. I have a mk2 which I like a lot but the new mkV is tempting... (I do like the longer reach of the mk2 lens though, even though it's not as fast or wide)

Oct 06, 2016 at 02:06 PM

rongwam
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

Not all T* coating will cause problem for IR photography. Most telephoto lens with or without the T* coating will be excellent for IR photography. However, the wide-angle lens often have what is called IR hotspot. It is a mildly or strongly desaturated zone in the image captured with that bad lens. You can minimize it during post-processing, but the best option is to choose a different lens. You have that flexible option if you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens. However, the Sony RX100 camera has a non-detachable lens, so if the attached lens is not good for IR, i.e. it produces a hotspot, you are stuck with it after an IR conversion. I believe that Sony RX100's attached zoom lens does exhibit a mild IR hotspot. I suggest that you should go with a different point&shoot camera. If you still want to go with the Sony RX100, you might be able to get way with a very mild IR hotspot if you choose a wide enough aperture.

Henry

Oct 06, 2016 at 02:53 PM

ifixfxs
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

I have a converted RX100 first version with 28-100 lens. There is a bad hot spot on the long end. The conversion done by Spencer resulted in loss of focus on one side which was eventually fixed. Apparently reshimming the lens housing is difficult. Make sure the camera you chose to convert has good IR lens option and is relatively easy to convert.

Oct 07, 2016 at 11:00 PM

matthewm
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

I would think a better option would be a used Sony NEX 3 or the like. It'll be cheap and easier to convert and you can use any E-mount lens.

Oct 09, 2016 at 01:08 PM

HiredArm
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

rongwam wrote:
Not all T* coating will cause problem for IR photography. Most telephoto lens with or without the T* coating will be excellent for IR photography. However, the wide-angle lens often have what is called IR hotspot. It is a mildly or strongly desaturated zone in the image captured with that bad lens. You can minimize it during post-processing, but the best option is to choose a different lens. You have that flexible option if you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens. However, the Sony RX100 camera has a non-detachable lens, so if the attached lens is not good...Show more →

That's not always true. The 25 Batis is a lot better than the 85 Batis but I wouldn't use either for IR. Most Sony Zeiss lenses work fine that I've tried and the Zeiss Contax Yashica 85, 100, 135, and 180 worked well too. I don't know about the others but that's what I've used.

Oct 09, 2016 at 05:46 PM

realVivek
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · RX100 Infrared Conversion???

I recently converted my RX100 II by replacing the original sensor with a hacked one.

rongwam wrote:
Not all T* coating will cause problem for IR photography.

I think Henry is correct here. There are no hotspots when used with a Hoya 720nm or a Roller IR filter throughout the FL range.

Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr

Hacked Sony RX100 II, Rollei IR filter

Surprisingly, it is a delight to use.

Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr

Hacked Sony RX100 II, Rollei IR filter, Rotterdam

Oct 10, 2018 at 04:53 PM


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