Misc Infrared converted Pentax DSLRs

Infrared converted Pentax DSLRs · 02:28 AM

Hi Everyone!

Having a bit more time recently I decided to do something with my first Pentax DSLR, K-x. Since I got myself two K-5 IIs my red K-x spend it's time in the box. Then, one day I got this idea to try IR photography and since sending your camera to a company that does the job costs around 400$ I decided to try DIY. All together it took me around 4 hours, It was a bit difficult because I couldn't find any info on how to get to the camera's sensor(I mean step by step). I guess Pentax cameras are not very popular IR material. Now i know why

SR as glorious system it is, it is also a pain in the neck when you need to get to the sensor and getting it apart is not as challenging as putting it back together

But I did it! and here are two of the first photos I took with my RED Infrared concerted K-x. Anyone else tried to convert their Pentax? Feel free to share your thoughts and IR photos

**robgski** · 10-14-2014, 02:32 AM - **1 Like**

Very nice

shaynej · 10-14-2014, 10:20 PM

i'm not familiar with IR cameras....could you not have achieved the same result via Photoshop channel mixers? I like the soft trees in the top pic...

MichalW · 10-15-2014, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by shaynej

i'm not familiar with IR cameras....could you not have achieved the same result via Photoshop channel mixers? I like the soft trees in the top pic...

Well you can do anything in Photoshop... but in this case is not the same. Those pics were taken in the afternoon when the sun wasn't that strong so trees didn't glow as much. Glad you like the pics

MRRiley · 10-16-2014, 09:32 AM

Nice shots... I have a K10D that I'm thinking about having converted but like you, hate having to spend upwards of $400 to get it done.

Mike

charliezap · 10-16-2014, 09:34 AM

Very nice dramatic shots.

---charliezap

carpents · 10-16-2014, 09:50 AM

I converted my *ist DS years ago (thanks to the IR filter that Frank sourced me!) and I currently have at least two large prints from it currently framed and on display. I did it myself, for all of $10 IIRC. At one point I posted disassembly steps, I forget where they got to.

A couple from the Adirondacks:

One from the Philadelphia National Cemetery:

**fwwidall** · 10-16-2014, 10:03 AM

A cheaper solution is to pick up an old *istDS or K1000D for around $100.

Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times.

Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an *istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec. These days I just use a Sigma SD14 which has an easily popped out IR/UV blocking filter. Enables me to use 'normal' shutter speeds for BW IR, but I haven't worked out how to get good false colour IR images from it.

flaviopetrone · 10-16-2014, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by MichalW

Hi Everyone!

Having a bit more time recently I decided to do something with my first Pentax DSLR, K-x. Since I got myself two K-5 IIs my red K-x spend it's time in the box. Then, one day I got this idea to try IR photography and since sending your camera to a company that does the job costs around 400$ I decided to try DIY. All together it took me around 4 hours, It was a bit difficult because I couldn't find any info on how to get to the camera's sensor(I mean step by step). I guess Pentax cameras are not very popular IR material. Now i know why

SR as glorious system it is, it is also a pain in the neck when you need to get to the sensor and getting it apart is not as challenging as putting it back together

But I did it! and here are two of the first photos I took with my RED Infrared concerted K-x. Anyone else tried to convert their Pentax? Feel free to share your thoughts and IR photos

Beautiful pics! I'm very attracted by the IR, but I want to buy filters, even if I know that it is difficult because you can't use viewfinder. But I only have one dslr and it is new...
Anyway, if you have time and you want, you can make a "how to" that could be useful for all the other members that are interested and maybe someone else could contribute with pics or tips about the specific cameras...
Just an idea.
Anyway, great job!

carpents · 10-16-2014, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by fwwidall

A cheaper solution is to pick up an old *istDS or K1000D for around $100.

Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times.

Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an *istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec.

Converted cameras should all be reasonably sensitive to IR. My first shot I posted above (taken really early morning in overcast conditions) was taken at f/8 1/60th ISO 200. Not sure of the second picture, I would guess about 1/250th.

Also, there is a LOT more resolution in the 6MP cameras once you pop out the AA filter. They sharpen up nicely to 16"x24" prints, easily.

**fwwidall** · 10-16-2014, 01:53 PM

Sorry, I should have been more precise.

I was talking about unconverted cameras. You can use the *istDS, etc without the need to convert them. You just end up having to use slower shutter speeds than with a converted camera.

MichalW · 10-17-2014, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by MRRiley

Nice shots... I have a K10D that I'm thinking about having converted but like you, hate having to spend upwards of $400 to get it done.

Mike

Well if u decide to do it yourself it's around 20-30$, you just need to buy IR lens filter and cut it to the size of the IR-cut filter that is in front of the camera's sensor..

---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:42 AM ----------

Originally posted by fwwidall

Sorry, I should have been more precise.

I was talking about unconverted cameras. You can use the *istDS, etc without the need to convert them. You just end up having to use slower shutter speeds than with a converted camera.

Yeah, that's why I decided to convert my camera, no need of caring around your tripod ect.

---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:44 AM ----------

Originally posted by fwwidall

A cheaper solution is to pick up an old *istDS or K1000D for around $100.

Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times.

Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an *istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec. These days I just use a Sigma SD14 which has an easily popped out IR/UV blocking filter. Enables me to use 'normal' shutter speeds for BW IR, but I haven't worked out how to get good false colour IR images from it.

Very nice pics fwwidall, these days K-x is a very affordable camera with nice specs and without AA filter it's very sharp

---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by flaviopetrone

Beautiful pics! I'm very attracted by the IR, but I want to buy filters, even if I know that it is difficult because you can't use viewfinder. But I only have one dslr and it is new...
Anyway, if you have time and you want, you can make a "how to" that could be useful for all the other members that are interested and maybe someone else could contribute with pics or tips about the specific cameras...
Just an idea.
Anyway, great job!

Should have recorded the whole operation

I don't think I'm gonna do it again any time soon especially that putting SR system back together is quite tricky

MichalW
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10-16-2014, 09:34 AM	#6
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	Very nice dramatic shots.---charliezap

10-16-2014, 10:03 AM	#8
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	A cheaper solution is to pick up an old istDS or K1000D for around $100. Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times. Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec. These days I just use a Sigma SD14 which has an easily popped out IR/UV blocking filter. Enables me to use 'normal' shutter speeds for BW IR, but I haven't worked out how to get good false colour IR images from it. Attached Images

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10-14-2014, 02:32 AM - 1 Like	#2
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	Very nice

10-14-2014, 10:20 PM	#3
shaynej Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 100	i'm not familiar with IR cameras....could you not have achieved the same result via Photoshop channel mixers? I like the soft trees in the top pic...

10-15-2014, 01:04 AM	#4
MichalW Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by shaynej i'm not familiar with IR cameras....could you not have achieved the same result via Photoshop channel mixers? I like the soft trees in the top pic... Well you can do anything in Photoshop... but in this case is not the same. Those pics were taken in the afternoon when the sun wasn't that strong so trees didn't glow as much. Glad you like the pics

10-16-2014, 09:32 AM	#5
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	Nice shots... I have a K10D that I'm thinking about having converted but like you, hate having to spend upwards of $400 to get it done. Mike

10-16-2014, 09:50 AM	#7
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	I converted my *ist DS years ago (thanks to the IR filter that Frank sourced me!) and I currently have at least two large prints from it currently framed and on display. I did it myself, for all of $10 IIRC. At one point I posted disassembly steps, I forget where they got to. A couple from the Adirondacks: One from the Philadelphia National Cemetery:

10-16-2014, 10:31 AM	#9
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by MichalW Hi Everyone! Having a bit more time recently I decided to do something with my first Pentax DSLR, K-x. Since I got myself two K-5 IIs my red K-x spend it's time in the box. Then, one day I got this idea to try IR photography and since sending your camera to a company that does the job costs around 400$ I decided to try DIY. All together it took me around 4 hours, It was a bit difficult because I couldn't find any info on how to get to the camera's sensor(I mean step by step). I guess Pentax cameras are not very popular IR material. Now i know why SR as glorious system it is, it is also a pain in the neck when you need to get to the sensor and getting it apart is not as challenging as putting it back together But I did it! and here are two of the first photos I took with my RED Infrared concerted K-x. Anyone else tried to convert their Pentax? Feel free to share your thoughts and IR photos Beautiful pics! I'm very attracted by the IR, but I want to buy filters, even if I know that it is difficult because you can't use viewfinder. But I only have one dslr and it is new... Anyway, if you have time and you want, you can make a "how to" that could be useful for all the other members that are interested and maybe someone else could contribute with pics or tips about the specific cameras... Just an idea. Anyway, great job!

10-16-2014, 10:52 AM	#10
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by fwwidall A cheaper solution is to pick up an old istDS or K1000D for around $100. Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times. Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec. Converted cameras should all be reasonably sensitive to IR. My first shot I posted above (taken really early morning in overcast conditions) was taken at f/8 1/60th ISO 200. Not sure of the second picture, I would guess about 1/250th. Also, there is a LOT more resolution in the 6MP cameras once you pop out the AA filter. They sharpen up nicely to 16"x24" prints, easily.

10-16-2014, 01:53 PM	#11
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	Sorry, I should have been more precise. I was talking about unconverted cameras. You can use the *istDS, etc without the need to convert them. You just end up having to use slower shutter speeds than with a converted camera.

10-17-2014, 02:33 AM	#12
MichalW Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by MRRiley Nice shots... I have a K10D that I'm thinking about having converted but like you, hate having to spend upwards of $400 to get it done. Mike Well if u decide to do it yourself it's around 20-30$, you just need to buy IR lens filter and cut it to the size of the IR-cut filter that is in front of the camera's sensor.. ---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:42 AM ---------- Originally posted by fwwidall Sorry, I should have been more precise. I was talking about unconverted cameras. You can use the istDS, etc without the need to convert them. You just end up having to use slower shutter speeds than with a converted camera. Yeah, that's why I decided to convert my camera, no need of caring around your tripod ect. ---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:44 AM ---------- Originally posted by fwwidall A cheaper solution is to pick up an old istDS or K1000D for around $100. Any of the old 6MP cameras seem to be pretty sensitive to IR, although of course you're then looking at a lower resolution and longer shutter times. Here's an image I shot quite a few years ago with an *istDS. ISO 800, F8 and 1/8sec. These days I just use a Sigma SD14 which has an easily popped out IR/UV blocking filter. Enables me to use 'normal' shutter speeds for BW IR, but I haven't worked out how to get good false colour IR images from it. Very nice pics fwwidall, these days K-x is a very affordable camera with nice specs and without AA filter it's very sharp ---------- Post added 10-17-14 at 11:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by flaviopetrone Beautiful pics! I'm very attracted by the IR, but I want to buy filters, even if I know that it is difficult because you can't use viewfinder. But I only have one dslr and it is new... Anyway, if you have time and you want, you can make a "how to" that could be useful for all the other members that are interested and maybe someone else could contribute with pics or tips about the specific cameras... Just an idea. Anyway, great job! Should have recorded the whole operation I don't think I'm gonna do it again any time soon especially that putting SR system back together is quite tricky