IR conversion USA (K10D)

*pntxjack* · 09-06-2008, 08:48 AM

Hello All,
In late July I sent two PayPal payments (conversion + upgrade to B&W filter) to Spencer's Camera in Utah for the conversion of my brand new
K10D to IR. The camera arrived at SC on July 29, 2008. I got it back on September 3, 2008. (In fairness to SC, he said he had a couple of out of town funerals to attend, and there was a mixup with another Pentax owner's camera and mine--the other fellow had the same first name as mine.)
Here is an interim report on the quality of the conversion and the functionality of the camera.
The camera was returned in the same box and packaging that it was sent in. No receipt, no instructions.
There were three specks on the new filter. They came off easily.
The ISO had been set at 5000K.
The auto focus seems to work well. (I am using the FA* 28-70 zoom.)
The histogram appeared intermittently. It is gone now, though I don't know what I moight have done to make it disappear. I prefer to not use it.)
In the menu "rec", the "Shake Reduction" option is dim, and when I press the down arrow to get to get to that point on the menu, the arrow skips over it. (I do not know if SR is functional or not.)*
The first image was of the redwood arbor and wisteria on my rear deck. The redwood appeared near the color of redwood. I thought the image was slightly overexposed. (I will try to correct this.)
I reset the WB by pointing the camera at my green lawn in bright sunlight. I think the redwood looks less the color of redwood than in the first image.
SC tells me it is remotely possible that I did not get the upgrade B&W filter I paid for. SC has offered to double check and replace in the unlikely event that I got the wrong filter. (I kind of like the apparent option of having some color get through. I was able to "mode-grayscale" and "desaturate" the image to pure B&W. I think I will pass on sending the camera back.)
After I reset to WB, the camera "on/off" dial does not shut the camera off.* It still shuts off automatically after 30 seconds.
*Questions PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN---
Is the possible non-functionality of Shake Reduction to be expected? Does this indicate any other potential problems I have not yet discovered?
Is the non-functioning "on/off" dial a problem, as a practical matter? Does this indicate any other potential problems I have not yet discovered?
I would really appreciate any input on these issues. Also, if there are any other routines I should put the camera through to test it, please let me know.
Thanks for any help.
Jack

*pntxjack* · 09-06-2008, 08:50 AM

Also, there was the Labor Day Holiday contributing to shipping delays.
The WB was set at 5000K, not the ISO.
Jack

MRRiley · 09-06-2008, 10:06 AM

With SR not working right and on/off dial not functioning correctly I would definately send it back to them for a fix. They surely dorked something up.

[PB] · 10-13-2008, 11:17 PM

I'm interested in sending a K10D off to Spencer's to have it converted. I was wondering how this whole thing turned out? Any updates?
Thanks,
-Phil

*pntxjack* · 10-14-2008, 07:38 AM

Hi Phil,
The K10D I sent was brand new; it had never even had a lens attached to it.
The initial conversion took far longer than SC's web site said it would. (In SC's defense, he said there were family emergency(s), and some confusion with me and another customer whose first name was Jack.)
When I got the camera, the histogram was on then off without my doing anything. That problem went away by itself.
The installed visible light blocker was dirty and/or scratched. I tried but could not clean it.
I could not turn the camera off. (It did go off after 30 seconds, but the on/off dial was ineffective.)
I have sent the camera back. SC is waiting for a new on/off switch--they say it is back ordered at Pentax USA. Of course, I am awaiting getting my camera back.
Clarence is honest and VERY knowledgable.
He was very concerned about the dust/scratch on the filter. Reading between the lines, he probably has employees one of whom may have boofed the filter. Or, he thinks I did it. (I did not--the very first image I took shows the dust/scratch. My cleaning attempt very very slightly improved the situation.) He is replacing it at no charge.
Be careful about which filter you select. The K10D IR image "color" is very different than the "color" produced by my K100D IR. I do not know the nanometer number on either. (I am swamped for time else I could find the thread where I got the name of the fellow who converted my K100D, and we could find out the nm number on the filter he installed.)
One thing is certain: you will LOVE IR photography.
Good luck.
Jack

*pntxjack* · 10-14-2008, 07:44 AM

Phil,
Both of my conversions have had "hitches". The "SC" hitch" is explained above.
When I first wanted an IR converted digital SLR, I sent my beloved *istD to China. (It probably was among the first one hundred or so sold in the US.) The fellow in China "fried the mother board". To make a very long story short, he and I arrived at a resolution very satisfactory for both of us, and I now have the K100D IR which I am happy with.
What I am saying is that I don't know if there is such a thing as a trouble free Pentax IR conversion.
Jack

*LeoTaylor* · 10-14-2008, 04:08 PM

There have been a few problems reported on Do-It-Yourself conversions as well. I damaged my motherboard when removing the internal filter and had my K110D repaired by Pentax.

Messing with a camera insides is a risky business. Fortunately with a price of $349 for my K110D body I was willing to take a chance. It cost $210 to have it fixed, but I now have a camera good for Astrophotography as well as IR.

P.S. Someone must spell out Infrared in each IR thread. People can't search for "IR" on Pentax Forums.

[PB] · 10-16-2008, 10:49 AM

Some good info - thanks! I suppose it makes sense for there to be a risk factor when playing around with the insides of a camera. I love the results though, so it seems worth the risk. I would prefer to be able to retain SR - but doesn't appear to be something absolutely necessary when shooting outdoors in good light I suppose. The odd things happening with your camera are a touch worrisome - but as long as the camera works, right? Out of curiosity, are there any other options besides SC for converting a K10D to infrared? I haven't been able to find any others online.
Thanks,
-Phil