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asroma · 01-07-2019, 01:11 PM

Hi, does anyone know of a list of which Pentax mount lens are good for Infrared photography (i.e. does not a have hot spot), would like to know before I get my poorly K-30 converted. thanks Alan...

**BigMackCam** · 01-07-2019, 01:26 PM

Moved to Pentax DSLR Lens Discussion

**FozzFoster** · 01-07-2019, 01:53 PM

I didn't even know this sort of service existed! very cool! thanks for posting!

**baro-nite** · 01-07-2019, 03:03 PM

Kolar Vision (which does IR conversions) has an excellent database of suitable lenses, including Pentax.

**cpk** · 01-07-2019, 03:46 PM

Lens Hotspot Database - Kolari Vision

sqrrl · 01-07-2019, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

I have an IR panasonic gx1 camera which I often use with K mount, I haven't found many bad lenses (in my experience the more modern lenses aren't the best for IR). I haven't found there to be much correlation between 'good' lenses and lenses that are good for IR, so it's worth checking all your lenses to see how they go.

My go-to is usually an old cosina 35-70 which actually rattles when I shake it - it's awful for any other use, but for IR it's sharp and contrasty, and works really well for landscapes.

Medex · 01-07-2019, 09:13 PM

I have Pentax K-5 and K-30 converterd to IR (640 nm).
Pentax-D FA* 50/1.4 is excelent even wide open (sharp, no hot spot), Pentax-D FA 15-30/2.8 is good too. I use these lenses at large apertures even for landscapes due to good sharpness, - no hot spots at f2.8-5.6)
Samyang 14/2.8 is good too

Ontarian50 · 01-08-2019, 08:26 AM

I've had great results from my DA 18-55 WR on my converted K-r. No hot spots that I've seen so far.

jcsnyc · 01-08-2019, 09:07 AM

Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) ....

Ontarian50 · 01-08-2019, 02:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Here's one I took last summer, and is just about my favourite IR image...

Used my converted K-r, with an 18-55 DA WR (from a boat I was trying to steer at the same time).

sqrrl · 01-08-2019, 03:37 PM - **1 Like**

I was using a 950nm filter, so the files come out monochrome. Panasonic Gx1 w. cosina 35-70 & 950nm filter. I also try to expose and edit for the highlights, to the shadow detail can drop out.

**OzzRod** · 01-08-2019, 06:24 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jcsnyc

Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) ....

This PF group has been a little quiet of late, but you'll find some useful images and commentary there.

**cpk** · 01-08-2019, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by jcsnyc

Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) ....

Barns in the County, Series 3 - Charles Kinghorn

garywakeling · 01-08-2019, 10:21 PM

Thanks for starting this thread, I have an old istD that I found on ebay already converted and dragged it out of the cupboard today, looking forward to playing with it again, photos to follow

jcsnyc · 01-09-2019, 06:21 AM

Stunning photos , @cpk and @Ontarian50. This is definitely now on my list for a future "upgrade". I have 2 retired cameras - istDS and K5. Any suggestions on which would be best to modify.

I also have a K3 II and K1 II - so I am okay working on the K5 if it's a good fit for this.

01-07-2019, 01:11 PM	#1
asroma New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2	Infrared lens for Pentax Hi, does anyone know of a list of which Pentax mount lens are good for Infrared photography (i.e. does not a have hot spot), would like to know before I get my poorly K-30 converted. thanks Alan...

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01-07-2019, 01:26 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,702	Moved to Pentax DSLR Lens Discussion

01-07-2019, 01:53 PM	#3
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	I didn't even know this sort of service existed! very cool! thanks for posting!

01-07-2019, 03:03 PM	#4
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Kolar Vision (which does IR conversions) has an excellent database of suitable lenses, including Pentax.

01-07-2019, 03:46 PM	#5
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 641	Lens Hotspot Database - Kolari Vision

01-07-2019, 04:16 PM - 1 Like	#6
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	I have an IR panasonic gx1 camera which I often use with K mount, I haven't found many bad lenses (in my experience the more modern lenses aren't the best for IR). I haven't found there to be much correlation between 'good' lenses and lenses that are good for IR, so it's worth checking all your lenses to see how they go. My go-to is usually an old cosina 35-70 which actually rattles when I shake it - it's awful for any other use, but for IR it's sharp and contrasty, and works really well for landscapes.

01-07-2019, 09:13 PM	#7
Medex Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,021	I have Pentax K-5 and K-30 converterd to IR (640 nm). Pentax-D FA* 50/1.4 is excelent even wide open (sharp, no hot spot), Pentax-D FA 15-30/2.8 is good too. I use these lenses at large apertures even for landscapes due to good sharpness, - no hot spots at f2.8-5.6) Samyang 14/2.8 is good too

01-08-2019, 08:26 AM	#8
Ontarian50 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 530	I've had great results from my DA 18-55 WR on my converted K-r. No hot spots that I've seen so far.

01-08-2019, 09:07 AM	#9
jcsnyc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 253	Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) ....

01-08-2019, 03:37 PM - 1 Like	#11
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	I was using a 950nm filter, so the files come out monochrome. Panasonic Gx1 w. cosina 35-70 & 950nm filter. I also try to expose and edit for the highlights, to the shadow detail can drop out.

01-08-2019, 06:24 PM - 1 Like	#12
OzzRod Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,322	Originally posted by jcsnyc Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) .... This PF group has been a little quiet of late, but you'll find some useful images and commentary there.

01-08-2019, 08:19 PM	#13
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 641	Originally posted by jcsnyc Where would I find some samples of IR photos? Sounds like there are a few of you doing it - and I have a few cameras sitting around unused that would love to be in service again (if cameras can actually feel???) .... Barns in the County, Series 3 - Charles Kinghorn

01-08-2019, 10:21 PM	#14
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,774	Thanks for starting this thread, I have an old istD that I found on ebay already converted and dragged it out of the cupboard today, looking forward to playing with it again, photos to follow

01-09-2019, 06:21 AM	#15
jcsnyc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 253	Stunning photos , @cpk and @Ontarian50. This is definitely now on my list for a future "upgrade". I have 2 retired cameras - istDS and K5. Any suggestions on which would be best to modify. I also have a K3 II and K1 II - so I am okay working on the K5 if it's a good fit for this.

Infrared lens for Pentax

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