spoupard wrote:
Nikon Z50 converted to IR, Nikkor 24/2.8 AI
About 2 months ago, I decided that I would pick up a Fuji X-T30 to use as a lightweight carry anywhere camera. I love the images that the X-T30 produces, but it has too many small buttons on the back and I was constantly accidentally pressing buttons that I didn't mean to press. This got frustrating really fast. I decided to sell the X-T30 and get either a Z50 or Xfc. I got a fantastic deal on a used Z50, so I bought it. I really, really like this camera and it's super simple to switch between my Z5 and Z50. The ergonomics are identical and I can set up the buttons on the Z50 to function the same as I have on my Z5.
My plan was to use the Z50 mainly with manual focus lenses. Once I got it, though, I decided to have it converted to IR. I've really enjoyed shooting IR with my D70, but the 6.1MP resolution of the D70 is pretty limiting for anything other than web use or small prints. I sent the camera to Isaac Szabo, who did a great job converting it. He converted the D70 for me last year, so I knew he would do a good job on the Z50. I just received the camera in the mail a few minutes ago. I ran outside and took a quick shot of my house to make sure it functions as expected.
If you are an infrared shooter and you don't have a mirrorless IR camera, you really ought to check into getting a mirrorless camera converted. The great thing is that if you, like me, shoot only B&W IR, you can choose a B&W film simulation in your camera and see exactly what you are going to get when you process your images. With an optical viewfinder, you see the scene as you normally would and can only guess what it will look like when post-processed and converted to IR. With mirrorless, no more guessing.
GeorgeBo wrote:
Weather was too nice to work today, so I burned a vacation day. I wanted to get out and do some in the field shooting with my gear. So I loaded up the backpack, threw in the kitchen sink and did a 5 mile out and back along a local river.
Goal was to test out my large format lens copal shutters and see if they are accurate compared to a meter reading. Surprised I was 3 for 3 and they are spot on.
Nothing spectacular along the river compared to other parts of the country, but it beats working
So below is a shot with the Nikkor SW 65 f/4 with a 10 stop filter. 14 seconds. Some focal plane play with 9 degrees of tilt and about 7mm back rise.
And a behind the scenes shot. iPad tethered. Nice having a 10 inch viewfinder
Thanks, it was the sunrise. I can't change my internal clock.
Good that you could take a day and get out to do what you do so well. That's quite the rig you have! We should try to get together with Samy, he would love to see this up close.
leighton w wrote:
Thanks, it was the sunrise. I can't change my internal clock.
Good that you could take a day and get out to do what you do so well. That's quite the rig you have! We should try to get together with Samy, he would love to see this up close.
Scott, Congrats on the Z50, and the IR looks super.
Jim
spoupard wrote:
Nikon Z50 converted to IR, Nikkor 24/2.8 AI
About 2 months ago, I decided that I would pick up a Fuji X-T30 to use as a lightweight carry anywhere camera. I love the images that the X-T30 produces, but it has too many small buttons on the back and I was constantly accidentally pressing buttons that I didn't mean to press. This got frustrating really fast. I decided to sell the X-T30 and get either a Z50 or Xfc. I got a fantastic deal on a used Z50, so I bought it. I really, really like this camera and it's super simple to switch between my Z5 and Z50. The ergonomics are identical and I can set up the buttons on the Z50 to function the same as I have on my Z5.
My plan was to use the Z50 mainly with manual focus lenses. Once I got it, though, I decided to have it converted to IR. I've really enjoyed shooting IR with my D70, but the 6.1MP resolution of the D70 is pretty limiting for anything other than web use or small prints. I sent the camera to Isaac Szabo, who did a great job converting it. He converted the D70 for me last year, so I knew he would do a good job on the Z50. I just received the camera in the mail a few minutes ago. I ran outside and took a quick shot of my house to make sure it functions as expected.
If you are an infrared shooter and you don't have a mirrorless IR camera, you really ought to check into getting a mirrorless camera converted. The great thing is that if you, like me, shoot only B&W IR, you can choose a B&W film simulation in your camera and see exactly what you are going to get when you process your images. With an optical viewfinder, you see the scene as you normally would and can only guess what it will look like when post-processed and converted to IR. With mirrorless, no more guessing.
Congratulations on the new camera Scott.
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing how this Nikon body performs.
Nice looking house b.t.w.
Colin
spoupard wrote:
Nikon Z50 converted to IR, Nikkor 24/2.8 AI
About 2 months ago, I decided that I would pick up a Fuji X-T30 to use as a lightweight carry anywhere camera. I love the images that the X-T30 produces, but it has too many small buttons on the back and I was constantly accidentally pressing buttons that I didn't mean to press. This got frustrating really fast. I decided to sell the X-T30 and get either a Z50 or Xfc. I got a fantastic deal on a used Z50, so I bought it. I really, really like this camera and it's super simple to switch between my Z5 and Z50. The ergonomics are identical and I can set up the buttons on the Z50 to function the same as I have on my Z5.
My plan was to use the Z50 mainly with manual focus lenses. Once I got it, though, I decided to have it converted to IR. I've really enjoyed shooting IR with my D70, but the 6.1MP resolution of the D70 is pretty limiting for anything other than web use or small prints. I sent the camera to Isaac Szabo, who did a great job converting it. He converted the D70 for me last year, so I knew he would do a good job on the Z50. I just received the camera in the mail a few minutes ago. I ran outside and took a quick shot of my house to make sure it functions as expected.
If you are an infrared shooter and you don't have a mirrorless IR camera, you really ought to check into getting a mirrorless camera converted. The great thing is that if you, like me, shoot only B&W IR, you can choose a B&W film simulation in your camera and see exactly what you are going to get when you process your images. With an optical viewfinder, you see the scene as you normally would and can only guess what it will look like when post-processed and converted to IR. With mirrorless, no more guessing.
George,
This is a great image - rocks so sharp, and the water smeared all over from the 10ND. Wonderful tones! Does your camera have a remote app for the ipad?
Jim
filterGeorgeBo wrote:
One more from today. Now off to mow grass. Back to reality
GeorgeBo wrote:
One more from today. Now off to mow grass. Back to reality
Same rig.
George
Those rocks look as if they are in 3-D and emerging out of the picture.
Great that you take a day off at short notice and get out with your camera gear and kitchen sink.
How much does all of that weigh? (Sink excluded )
Yes the free Hasselblad Phocus software allows remote control and liveview on iOS and Mac. Via USB-C cable or Wifi. I haven't tried Wifi yet for performance, but I picked up a short USB-C cable and will probably use it tethered. Makes a huge difference checking focus when tilt/shift applied.
George
James Markus wrote:
George,
This is a great image - rocks so sharp, and the water smeared all over from the 10ND. Wonderful tones! Does your camera have a remote app for the ipad?
Jim
As I was telling Jim above, being able to use an iPad essentially as a viewfinder really allows you to nail focus. Definitely worth the weight in carrying it.
Speaking of weight, I will put it on the scales tomorrow. Without all the extra stuff I carried today, but it was noticeable
We have a lot of people off this week for spring break, so I looked at my calendar yesterday and went for it. I will pay tomorrow, but that is tomorrow.
George
DeltaSigma wrote:
Those rocks look as if they are in 3-D and emerging out of the picture.
Great that you take a day off at short notice and get out with your camera gear and kitchen sink.
How much does all of that weigh? (Sink excluded )
leighton w wrote:
Nice IR Scott. Sorry the X-T30 didn't work for you. Isn't The Z5 a lot bigger?
Thanks. Yes, the Z5 is a fair amount bigger, but really not that much heavier. I once had an X-T20 (same size as X-T30), but I don't remember it having as many buttons. At least, I didn't have the problem of inadvertently pressing buttons.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Congratulations on the new camera Scott.
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing how this Nikon body performs.
Nice looking house b.t.w.
Colin
Thank you! I have a lot of practicing to do with it, but I can already tell you the EVF makes a huge difference. The live histogram makes it super easy to nail exposure; something that was a lot harder with the D70.
Congrats on the Z50 Scott. Great inaugural shot, lovely home too!
Thanks for the BTS George. That's quite a setup, and somehow looking at that I'm guessing that you are not done with gear just yet. Your mind likes to wander and experiment too much. The rocks really jump out at you in the second shot.
Thanks for the Siena sunrise Serge. Keep them coming.
Super use of the circular fisheye on that sycamore Rafael.
Another with the 105 f2.8 Micro. As much as I like the 55 micro, the added distance with the 105 is very much my speed. I previously found the 200 micro a little too long at times and made setup a challenge. The 105 might just be my goldilocks macro lens.
spoupard wrote:
Thank you! I have a lot of practicing to do with it, but I can already tell you the EVF makes a huge difference. The live histogram makes it super easy to nail exposure; something that was a lot harder with the D70.
I started off my venture into IR with a D70, followed by a D80, D7100 now my current D610.
Whe I converted the D80 to IR I changed the D70 back to visible. The filter stack wasn't stuck down like the more modern ones are. I still have it.
I sold the D80 on eBay when I converted the D7100. I still have the D7100. The D610 was the first one I had professionally converted. Each time the improvements were noticable.
At a crossroads with the D7100 IR though. Some dust has gotten behind the IR filter so it needs an overhaul. I was considering swapping out the complete sensor assembly for a brand new one ($100) so that I would have a 'visible' camera that will accept MF lenses without that FTZ adapter (which I don't like).
[Off topic but maybe you could let me know, in a PM, how your Z lenses fare on the Z50 IR]
pbraymond wrote:
Congrats on the Z50 Scott. Great inaugural shot, lovely home too!
Thanks for the BTS George. That's quite a setup, and somehow looking at that I'm guessing that you are not done with gear just yet. Your mind likes to wander and experiment too much. The rocks really jump out at you in the second shot.
Thanks for the Siena sunrise Serge. Keep them coming.
Super use of the circular fisheye on that sycamore Rafael.
Another with the 105 f2.8 Micro. As much as I like the 55 micro, the added distance with the 105 is very much my speed. I previously found the 200 micro a little too long at times and made setup a challenge. The 105 might just be my goldilocks macro lens.
DeltaSigma wrote:
I started off my venture into IR with a D70, followed by a D80, D7100 now my current D610.
Whe I converted the D80 to IR I changed the D70 back to visible. The filter stack wasn't stuck down like the more modern ones are. I still have it.
I sold the D80 on eBay when I converted the D7100. I still have the D7100. The D610 was the first one I had professionally converted. Each time the improvements were noticable.
At a crossroads with the D7100 IR though. Some dust has gotten behind the IR filter so it needs an overhaul. I was considering swapping out the complete sensor assembly for a brand new one ($100) so that I would have a 'visible' camera that will accept MF lenses without that FTZ adapter (which I don't like).
[Off topic but maybe you could let me know, in a PM, how your Z lenses fare on the Z50 IR]
That's quite a history with IR! I'm not crazy about the FTZ either, but, unfortunately, I have to use them from time to time. The 24-70/4 is the only Z lens that I have. My other AF lenses are f-mount, so I have to use the FTZ with them. I plan to purchase the 28 and/or 40 Z in the next couple of months. I had the 40 and sold it for some reason. Still kicking myself for that one.
I'll definitely keep you updated on how the 24-70/4 performs in IR. I hope to get to experiment a little this weekend.
