K1 in infrared and ultraviolet

**TwoUptons** · 04-16-2016, 12:36 PM

Has anyone heard (or better, experienced) how well the K1 will shoot in IR or UV without removal of the blocking filter?

My K10 was pretty horrible, though with vastly better sensitivity and resolution, the K1 might be OK for playing around, even if it blocks as much as the K10...

I'm mostly interested in black and white infrared, and I can filter that now. For UV, I'm just curious and haven't wandered down that path yet...

Thanks,

-Eric

**jatrax** · 04-16-2016, 12:50 PM

Might be a bit early yet, as no one has actually tested a production model. And those that have handled pre-production ones are not talking. And likely have other things to test besides IR & UV. But an interesting question that might take a while to get answered.

Dr_who · 04-16-2016, 01:28 PM

I imagine if it was sensitive to IR or even HA wave length they would be advertising it as such. Since they are advertising everything else astro related from star trails to astrotracker to the leds to shoot at night. Of course I'd love it if it was a little sensitive to HA but I'm not holding my breath.

Billgscott · 04-17-2016, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

Has anyone heard (or better, experienced) how well the K1 will shoot in IR or UV without removal of the blocking filter?

My K10 was pretty horrible, though with vastly better sensitivity and resolution, the K1 might be OK for playing around, even if it blocks as much as the K10...

I'm mostly interested in black and white infrared, and I can filter that now. For UV, I'm just curious and haven't wandered down that path yet...

Thanks,

-Eric

If your going to get a K1 you can get your K10 coverted to IR only.

You can use a converted camera the same as a normal one ie hand held with the same shutter times.

**HomeMadeSin** · 06-25-2017, 04:20 PM - **1 Like**

Bump for a good question. Anyone in the Pentax universe convert or have converted a K-1 for infrared or full spectrum photography? I had a K-01 converted and it was excellent (just did not take advantage of the sensor shift for GPS unit). I also purchased a Nikon D7100 and had it converted but it will not set the white balance internally so it has to be done in post. Strongly considering the K-1 and would like to hear about the IR capabilities.

zapp · 07-02-2017, 09:50 AM

UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass.
IR is a different stoy, but you would need to get rid of the IR-cutoff filter.
There are companies that shave sensor from RGB filters - that's cool - a monochrome K1 that is open to accept UV-nIR rays.

**StevenLS** · 07-05-2017, 08:30 AM - **1 Like**

I tried the K-1 with a Hoya R72 filter today. I was able to get a useable B &W image using ACR/Photoshop. So, yes, the K-1 can be used for IR. However, the HD D FA 28-105mm lens vignettes pretty badly. I can't find a thread on IR-capable lenses

Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1?

Disguise · 07-17-2017, 08:01 PM - **1 Like**

The K-1 works like a dream for IR, even with just a Hoya R72. I shot these images around 7PM, and it was cloudy, but I could still focus in liveview, and the camera was able to get correct metering using the green button function. The lens on the one was a Pentax-M 28 f2.8, shot at f8, ISO200, 20 sec exposure.

---------- Post added 07-17-17 at 08:21 PM ----------

Originally posted by StevenLS

I tried the K-1 with a Hoya R72 filter today. I was able to get a useable B &W image using ACR/Photoshop. So, yes, the K-1 can be used for IR. However, the HD D FA 28-105mm lens vignettes pretty badly. I can't find a thread on IR-capable lenses

Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1?

Just played around for a little bit, and the Pentax-M 28 2.8 and 100 f4 macro seem to have no vignetting. I would have to shoot in bright daylight to really confirm it though.

Disguise · 07-24-2017, 08:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Disguise

The K-1 works like a dream for IR, even with just a Hoya R72. I shot these images around 7PM, and it was cloudy, but I could still focus in liveview, and the camera was able to get correct metering using the green button function. The lens on the one was a Pentax-M 28 f2.8, shot at f8, ISO200, 20 sec exposure.

---------- Post added 07-17-17 at 08:21 PM ----------

Just played around for a little bit, and the Pentax-M 28 2.8 and 100 f4 macro seem to have no vignetting. I would have to shoot in bright daylight to really confirm it though.

K-1 is quite capable of churning out decent IR pictures

**Bob 256** · 07-24-2017, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by zapp

UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass.
IR is a different stoy, but you would need to get rid of the IR-cutoff filter.
There are companies that shave sensor from RGB filters - that's cool - a monochrome K1 that is open to accept UV-nIR rays.

It's possible to use regular lenses with near visible UV (down to about 325nm - most of the UVA range) but a problem you run into is since UV focuses shorter than visible, you might not be able to get an infinity focus. If you are focusing on up-close objects (flowers, etc.), that shouldn't be a problem.
Any work below 300nm will require quartz or other UV lens materials $$$$.

One problem you might run into with UV is the Bayer filter and its absorption of UV so that may have to be removed as well.

angerdan · 12-16-2017, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by zapp

UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass.

Originally posted by StevenLS

Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1?

Originally posted by angerdan

...spectral power distribution charts from measurements of individual fixed focal lenses from different brands:
Pentax smc DA 35 mm f/2.4 AL review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com
Pentax smc D FA 100 mm f/2.8 Macro WR review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com
Pentax smc FA 43 mm f/1.9 Limited review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com
Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com
Samyang 7.5 mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-eye MFT review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com
Sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com

For UV and IR the FA 43mm Limited and DA 35mm seems to be a good start.

04-16-2016, 12:36 PM	#1
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	K1 in infrared and ultraviolet Has anyone heard (or better, experienced) how well the K1 will shoot in IR or UV without removal of the blocking filter? My K10 was pretty horrible, though with vastly better sensitivity and resolution, the K1 might be OK for playing around, even if it blocks as much as the K10... I'm mostly interested in black and white infrared, and I can filter that now. For UV, I'm just curious and haven't wandered down that path yet... Thanks, -Eric

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04-16-2016, 12:50 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Might be a bit early yet, as no one has actually tested a production model. And those that have handled pre-production ones are not talking. And likely have other things to test besides IR & UV. But an interesting question that might take a while to get answered.

04-16-2016, 01:28 PM	#3
Dr_who Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 777	I imagine if it was sensitive to IR or even HA wave length they would be advertising it as such. Since they are advertising everything else astro related from star trails to astrotracker to the leds to shoot at night. Of course I'd love it if it was a little sensitive to HA but I'm not holding my breath.

04-17-2016, 02:28 AM	#4
Billgscott Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: York Posts: 241	Originally posted by TwoUptons Has anyone heard (or better, experienced) how well the K1 will shoot in IR or UV without removal of the blocking filter? My K10 was pretty horrible, though with vastly better sensitivity and resolution, the K1 might be OK for playing around, even if it blocks as much as the K10... I'm mostly interested in black and white infrared, and I can filter that now. For UV, I'm just curious and haven't wandered down that path yet... Thanks, -Eric If your going to get a K1 you can get your K10 coverted to IR only. You can use a converted camera the same as a normal one ie hand held with the same shutter times.

06-25-2017, 04:20 PM - 1 Like	#5
HomeMadeSin Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 157	Bump for a good question. Anyone in the Pentax universe convert or have converted a K-1 for infrared or full spectrum photography? I had a K-01 converted and it was excellent (just did not take advantage of the sensor shift for GPS unit). I also purchased a Nikon D7100 and had it converted but it will not set the white balance internally so it has to be done in post. Strongly considering the K-1 and would like to hear about the IR capabilities.

07-02-2017, 09:50 AM	#6
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass. IR is a different stoy, but you would need to get rid of the IR-cutoff filter. There are companies that shave sensor from RGB filters - that's cool - a monochrome K1 that is open to accept UV-nIR rays.

07-05-2017, 08:30 AM - 1 Like	#7
StevenLS Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hartsville, SC Posts: 61	I tried the K-1 with a Hoya R72 filter today. I was able to get a useable B &W image using ACR/Photoshop. So, yes, the K-1 can be used for IR. However, the HD D FA 28-105mm lens vignettes pretty badly. I can't find a thread on IR-capable lenses Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1?

07-17-2017, 08:01 PM - 1 Like	#8
Disguise New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: NC Posts: 15	The K-1 works like a dream for IR, even with just a Hoya R72. I shot these images around 7PM, and it was cloudy, but I could still focus in liveview, and the camera was able to get correct metering using the green button function. The lens on the one was a Pentax-M 28 f2.8, shot at f8, ISO200, 20 sec exposure. ---------- Post added 07-17-17 at 08:21 PM ---------- Originally posted by StevenLS I tried the K-1 with a Hoya R72 filter today. I was able to get a useable B &W image using ACR/Photoshop. So, yes, the K-1 can be used for IR. However, the HD D FA 28-105mm lens vignettes pretty badly. I can't find a thread on IR-capable lenses Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1? Just played around for a little bit, and the Pentax-M 28 2.8 and 100 f4 macro seem to have no vignetting. I would have to shoot in bright daylight to really confirm it though.

07-24-2017, 08:40 AM - 1 Like	#9
Disguise New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: NC Posts: 15	Originally posted by Disguise The K-1 works like a dream for IR, even with just a Hoya R72. I shot these images around 7PM, and it was cloudy, but I could still focus in liveview, and the camera was able to get correct metering using the green button function. The lens on the one was a Pentax-M 28 f2.8, shot at f8, ISO200, 20 sec exposure. ---------- Post added 07-17-17 at 08:21 PM ---------- Just played around for a little bit, and the Pentax-M 28 2.8 and 100 f4 macro seem to have no vignetting. I would have to shoot in bright daylight to really confirm it though. K-1 is quite capable of churning out decent IR pictures

07-24-2017, 09:42 AM	#10
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Originally posted by zapp UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass. IR is a different stoy, but you would need to get rid of the IR-cutoff filter. There are companies that shave sensor from RGB filters - that's cool - a monochrome K1 that is open to accept UV-nIR rays. It's possible to use regular lenses with near visible UV (down to about 325nm - most of the UVA range) but a problem you run into is since UV focuses shorter than visible, you might not be able to get an infinity focus. If you are focusing on up-close objects (flowers, etc.), that shouldn't be a problem. Any work below 300nm will require quartz or other UV lens materials $$$$. One problem you might run into with UV is the Bayer filter and its absorption of UV so that may have to be removed as well.

12-16-2017, 10:14 AM	#11
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by zapp UV requires special lenses - only quartz glass will let UV pass. Originally posted by StevenLS Does anyone have experience with full frame lenses that are suitable for IR on the K-1? Originally posted by angerdan ...spectral power distribution charts from measurements of individual fixed focal lenses from different brands: Pentax smc DA 35 mm f/2.4 AL review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com Pentax smc D FA 100 mm f/2.8 Macro WR review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com Pentax smc FA 43 mm f/1.9 Limited review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com Samyang 7.5 mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-eye MFT review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com Sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM review - Ghosting, flares and transmission - LensTip.com For UV and IR the FA 43mm Limited and DA 35mm seems to be a good start.