Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ?

***Dave*** · 01-01-2007, 19:18

After constantly being impressed with Toonies IR shots recently, I was wondering if anyone has converted their camera to IR permanently ? For the Nikon D70 I believe you have to remove a filter within the camera itself

I know you can go the Hoya R72 route, but I'm not sure if the results would be as good ?

Can anyone advise ?

P-E · 01-01-2007, 19:29

I too was impressed with Toonies work and thought I could just stick an IR filter on my lens.

Bought myself a Hoya 52mm IR filter at Christmas and immediately found out how wrong I was

Thought about buying a S/H 300D and getting it converted but it's cheaper just to look at Toonies gallery

***Dave*** · 01-01-2007, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-E

Bought myself a Hoya 52mm IR filter at Christmas and immediately found out how wrong I was

What went wrong ? Was it getting the exposure right that was the problem ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-E

Thought about buying a S/H 300D and getting it converted but it's cheaper just to look at Toonies gallery

Although those Hoya filters are not cheap ....around £70 from memory for 72mm

P-E · 01-01-2007, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

What went wrong ? Was it getting the exposure right that was the problem ?

Yes plus I was stupid enough to think I could just stick the filter on and fire a few shots off.

Even thought that there was some black protecting covering over the filter and I was looking how to peel it off

........don't tell anyone as I won't live that one down

***Dave*** · 01-01-2007, 20:17

I think you just told the world

Toonie · 01-01-2007, 22:14

Dave, Try this

LifePixel Digital Camera Infrared IR Conversion Services. DIY IR Tutorials

Or you could just cheat & use Photoshop

Rob Barron · 06-01-2007, 20:58

Converting a digital camera to IR is a VERY fiddly process as you will see if you look at that tutorial. It is a major task and will of course void any warranty you have left on the camera.

It means disassembling a lot of the camera and removing the filter over the front of the sensor, which is sealed all the way around. The chances of you taking that off and putting it back again without getting dust inside is about 100:1 so if you really want it that badly, I recommend strongly you buy yourself a cheap second hand Canon D30 (not 30D!!!) and play with that.

IR can be very closely approximated using Photoshop so it seems a bit pointless going to all that effort and risking wrecking the camera at the same time IMHO.

Cheers,
Rob

**Markulous** · 07-01-2007, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

Converting a digital camera to IR is a VERY fiddly process

Ummm, not on a Sigma SD10. Only a small screwdriver is needed: remove the dustshield which also acts as IR filter (which you remove to clean the sensor, BTW!)

Keep meaning to go out for a day but have only done small local shots. I'll probably wait 'til I get my next camera body

P-E · 07-01-2007, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

IR can be very closely approximated using Photoshop.

Cheers,
Rob

Maybe a tutorial for the future Rob?

Soupdragon · 19-01-2007, 09:51

It was a popular pastime for old 300D users (old cameras not people).
It is relatively easy for all but the mechanically incompetent,

The risks of permanent damage are HIGH, so if you do not have a camera you can afford to dustbin, don't do it.

abirkill · 22-01-2007, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

IR can be very closely approximated using Photoshop so it seems a bit pointless going to all that effort and risking wrecking the camera at the same time IMHO.

Is this true? I would have thought the information was fundamentally not present in the outputted file unless you have converted the camera by removing the IR filter.

I'm sure that you can get an effect that is similar to the results you would get using an IR-sensitive camera, but the effect would merely imitate the appearance of IR and wouldn't be the same as an actual IR photograph, except by chance. Or am I mistaken?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

The risks of permanent damage are HIGH, so if you do not have a camera you can afford to dustbin, don't do it.

Worth pointing out that LifePixel will convert your camera for you if you send it to them. Obviously the cost is higher, but you wouldn't have the risk of turning your camera into a paperweight.

***Dave*** · 03-02-2007, 07:02

Mmmmm $95 plus a steady hand to convert my Nikon D70 .....decisions, decisions

P-E · 03-02-2007, 08:06

I saw some instructions somewhere on the web on how to convert a camera

er sooner you than me if you go for it, although it will be a nice addition to the kit bag having a body for IR

Reminds me I got that filter somewhere.......may as well offer for sale.

***Dave*** · 03-02-2007, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-E

I saw some instructions somewhere on the web on how to convert a camera

#post 6 in this thread

01-01-2007, 19:18	#1 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? After constantly being impressed with Toonies IR shots recently, I was wondering if anyone has converted their camera to IR permanently ? For the Nikon D70 I believe you have to remove a filter within the camera itself I know you can go the Hoya R72 route, but I'm not sure if the results would be as good ? Can anyone advise ?

01-01-2007, 19:29	#2 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,505	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? I too was impressed with Toonies work and thought I could just stick an IR filter on my lens. Bought myself a Hoya 52mm IR filter at Christmas and immediately found out how wrong I was Thought about buying a S/H 300D and getting it converted but it's cheaper just to look at Toonies gallery

01-01-2007, 20:17	#5 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? I think you just told the world

01-01-2007, 22:14	#6 (permalink)
Toonie Getting Comfy Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wherever I Lay My Hat Posts: 240	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? Dave, Try this LifePixel Digital Camera Infrared IR Conversion Services. DIY IR Tutorials Or you could just cheat & use Photoshop Last edited by Toonie : 02-01-2007 at 17:44.

06-01-2007, 20:58	#7 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,204	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? Converting a digital camera to IR is a VERY fiddly process as you will see if you look at that tutorial. It is a major task and will of course void any warranty you have left on the camera. It means disassembling a lot of the camera and removing the filter over the front of the sensor, which is sealed all the way around. The chances of you taking that off and putting it back again without getting dust inside is about 100:1 so if you really want it that badly, I recommend strongly you buy yourself a cheap second hand Canon D30 (not 30D!!!) and play with that. IR can be very closely approximated using Photoshop so it seems a bit pointless going to all that effort and risking wrecking the camera at the same time IMHO. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

19-01-2007, 09:51	#10 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? It was a popular pastime for old 300D users (old cameras not people). It is relatively easy for all but the mechanically incompetent, The risks of permanent damage are HIGH, so if you do not have a camera you can afford to dustbin, don't do it. Last edited by Soupdragon : 19-01-2007 at 09:52. Reason: typo

03-02-2007, 07:02	#12 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? Mmmmm $95 plus a steady hand to convert my Nikon D70 .....decisions, decisions

03-02-2007, 08:06	#13 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,505	Re: Anyone converted their DSLR to Infra Red ? I saw some instructions somewhere on the web on how to convert a camera er sooner you than me if you go for it, although it will be a nice addition to the kit bag having a body for IR Reminds me I got that filter somewhere.......may as well offer for sale.