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Archive 2020 · LifePixel

runamuck
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · LifePixel

My D700 is going to be modded fpr IR. I am thinking the Deep B&W. Any experience with lifepixel or Kolari? Good bad?

Jan 23, 2020 at 04:58 PM

guyharrison
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · LifePixel

Both have good reputations. Personally I am going with Kolari for my conversion.

And, go full spectrum (or two spectrum). Much more versatility in what you shoot. Check either site for an explanation. Bottom line is that you can shoot all frequencies of the IR spectrum depending on what filter you screw on your lens, and can also use the camera as a regular visible light camera by using a special filter. Way more versatile and does not cost any more.

Jan 23, 2020 at 05:54 PM

Abuttolph
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · LifePixel

I have had two cameras converted to IR by Kolari and I have been very happy with them. The first was a Fuji X-T1 and the second a Fuji X-T2. Both were converted to 720nm (I like the X-T2 better than the X-T1 so that is why the second camera was converted).

Kolari was very quick in doing the conversions. I have had zero issues. They also send along a certificate that documents the conversion for the specific camera and includes the camera serial number.

I wrote up a little blog post about it when I had the X-T1 converted. If you are interested, here is the link: https://adelembuttolphgallery.com/entering-the-world-of-infrared-photography/

There is also a small gallery of IR images on my site as well.

Jan 23, 2020 at 05:58 PM

technic
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · LifePixel

guyharrison wrote:
Both have good reputations. Personally I am going with Kolari for my conversion.

And, go full spectrum (or two spectrum). Much more versatility in what you shoot. Check either site for an explanation. Bottom line is that you can shoot all frequencies of the IR spectrum depending on what filter you screw on your lens, and can also use the camera as a regular visible light camera by using a special filter. Way more versatile and does not cost any more.

Full spectrum has some severe limitations especially when working with WA lenses, because the only really effective external IR-blocking filters are interference filters that will cause huge hue shifts in the corners for anything below about 35mm equiv. focal length. This can theoretically be corrected in PP but in reality not really and certainly lots of work ... personally I gave up on full spectrum for visible light because of this, and would only recommend it for "experimenting", where the freedom to use any kind of filter is certainly nice.

Jan 24, 2020 at 12:56 PM

supatyke
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · LifePixel

I can vouch for Lifepixel, I've previously had two cameras converted and a third is on it's way. My preference is the standard 720nm conversion, that's the only one I have any experience with but I've never had any issues with the cameras and I've found Lifepixel customer service to be very helpful.

Jan 24, 2020 at 01:06 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · LifePixel

Thanks, guys. My car just came down sick with the red brake light, so IR is on hold for now.

My heart is still set on deep IR, 830 nm. Will find out how bad the car is Monday AM

Jan 24, 2020 at 01:18 PM

technic
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · LifePixel

runamuck wrote:
Thanks, guys. My car just came down sick with the red brake light, so IR is on hold for now.

My heart is still set on deep IR, 830 nm. Will find out how bad the car is Monday AM

Just in case the damage is limited: I would also go for 830nm conversion. Keep in mind that with some recent cameras this doesn't work as well as in some older ones, because the internal IR blockers are thin and so the replacement IR window is thin too (like 1-1.5mm instead of 3mm). This applies to some recent Canon DSLR and ML camera's but don't know about Nikon DSLR. With a thin window the 830nm result will be more like an average 720nm conversion (and a standard 720nm conversion on such a camera would be a little less dramatic than normal).

While experimenting can be fun, to me color IR gets boring pretty soon, maybe with the exception of the Kolari Chrome filter. But that filter looks similar to a B+W 403 filter I used longer ago on Canon DSLRs which in practice had its own problems and only works well in certain conditions (but I don't know how similar they are).

Jan 24, 2020 at 02:19 PM

ericbowles
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · LifePixel

Why convert a D700? I know you own it, but its an older, lower resolution camera. I can't see spending $250-300 on that body.

There was a problem with converting the D700 to IR. It's not recommended. You can talk with LifePixel and they may have information on their site.

I have a converted D200 (Deep Black IR) and D600 (Enhanced Color).

I don't recall the details, but I think it was related to an IR led in the camera used to confirm shutter speed accuracy, and the light was not properly shielded. It has been corrected on later models, but it makes the D700 ineffective at ISO 400 and higher.

As to your question, I really like a B&W final output. The Deep B&W conversion is pure infrared and easier to white balance. But the lack of color detail makes it harder to locally edit.

If you have a weaker conversion - 720nm or 665nm - you have some color information to better support editing. But WB is hard, and requires using Nikon software or creating a new profile in Lightroom. LR cannot provide a WB by itself because the scale does not go far enough. These conversions do permit color IR - if you are interested. You can always use IR filters for a stronger effect, but the viewfinder is opaque.

Personally - I think Deep Black IR is more fun. Shoot RAW with a custom WB and use a Monochrome Picture Control.

Jan 24, 2020 at 02:57 PM

Charles Loy
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · LifePixel

I will message you. check PM

Jan 25, 2020 at 07:45 AM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · LifePixel

I used Lifepixel and they provided the most options as well as excellent online tutorials for post processing the images.

I had them modify a D610 that I bought used from someone on fredmiranda. With the modification you are only going to be able to manually focus the camera and I wanted a camera with Live View, hence the D610.

Lifepixel also sells modified cameras so you do not have to necessarily supply them with one of your own.

Jan 26, 2020 at 03:52 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · LifePixel

The D700 has the standard fogged rear screen and rubber pulling away. FWIW I may as well get some use from it. The D500, Z6 and D800 are too dear to me.

Jan 26, 2020 at 05:03 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · LifePixel

Done dealing with upsucksassholes. Will call lifepixel tp cancel. SCREWUPS

Jan 31, 2020 at 03:09 PM


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