Which Pentax body for IR conversion?

**barondla** · 03-25-2012, 07:21 PM

Playeed with friends IR modified drebel. Now I need some IR magic. Have a K10D, K20D, and K-7 ( my top camera at the moment). Which would you modify for infra red and why?
Thanks
barondla

**wizofoz** · 03-25-2012, 08:22 PM

I'm no expert, but if it were me, I'd convert my 'lesser' camera....in this case theK10d?

Zav · 03-25-2012, 11:39 PM

I would say the K10

stanislav · 03-26-2012, 01:00 AM

On K20 and K-7 you have live view which could be a benefit when composing IR.

I guess that you know what you are doing and you know the price of it. I wanted to play with IR as well, and found out that far cheaper way was to get a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 (a night mode enabled camera) and remove the microswitch telling the camera that night mode is enabled. Then I just added a 720nm infrared filter in front and I have an IR camera with all settings available for under 200$. I do have some problems with image quality on extreme zooms, and some hotspots when shooting towards light sources, but still it was a rather cheap and affordable way to try IR photography.

The Jannie · 03-26-2012, 11:28 AM

Stanislav, can you describe the mechanics of the switch disablement? I have a V3 I want to convert and haven't yet decided which way to go with it. The V3, being older, may well be totally different inside from your camera but if it points me in the right direction it would be a help.

BFN
David

stanislav · 03-26-2012, 03:11 PM

Well here is a link that I saw before i bought the camera second-hand on the ebay:

You Tube

Then I just got 74-72mm step-down ring and 72mm cheap IR filter (I took 720nm, but I am actually thinking of geting even say 860nm just to compare). All in all it was just short of 200$ and it took a bit more than an hour to do the conversion itself.

Hope that this helps

/Stanislav

PS here is example photo:

And more photos (and many more to come) can be found at: IR - a set on Flickr

westmill · 03-26-2012, 03:13 PM

Thats well simple.... The cheapest.... because your turning it into a single use camera.

**barondla** · 03-26-2012, 06:17 PM

Neat idea Stanislav. Didn't realize this could be done so easily. I will still go the DSLR route since I have been doing IR for a while ( film) and have plenty of bodies to choose from.
thanks
barondla

stanislav · 03-26-2012, 10:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by westmill

Thats well simple.... The cheapest.... because your turning it into a single use camera.

If you were talking about the Sony, then it is not a single use camera. I can still use it as ordinary camera when I "turn" the night shot mode off and remove (unscrew) the IR filter. I can also use it as a hybrid camera with night shot and without filter.

What that microswitch does is just to tell the camera that it is in night-shot mode, so the camera gives a "greenish" look to photos, boosts ISO and turns off all manual settings.

Originally posted by barondla

Neat idea Stanislav. Didn't realize this could be done so easily. I will still go the DSLR route since I have been doing IR for a while ( film) and have plenty of bodies to choose from.

Yes it is a neat Idea. I have been thinking about it for some time, and realised that this is the easiest and cheapiest way forward.

I am looking forward to see your IR magic done with some real equipment

karma mechanic · 03-27-2012, 03:04 AM - **1 Like**

I've converted a number of Pentaxes and their Samsung equivalents. I also started with a Sony F707, but the conversion on that involved actually removing the sliding hot mirror and replacing it with clear glass, then using a filter on the lens.

Regarding the difficulties of conversion, the older ones are the easiest. The *ist DL/DL2 and Samsung GX1L have relatively few wires to undo and the sensor assembly is in a fixed position. No shake reduction mechanism to worry about. The K10D/K20D are harder due to more wires, and the sensor is on adjustable mounts that need to be set correctly. The K-7 has even more wires and a very fiddly sensor assembly due to the ultrasonic shaker. I'm not sure I'd want to do a K-7 again

On the other hand, the older bodies need the AF adjusted in debug mode for each lens while the K-7 can use Live View and contrast AF. The K20D is somewhere in between, it still needs AF adjust but it has a rather rudimentary Live View so at least you can see what the scene looks like in IR. I used 830nm filters on all my conversions.

Nearly all the images on my website are with my converted Pentaxes plus a handful with the old Sony.

westmill · 03-27-2012, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by stanislav

If you were talking about the Sony, then it is not a single use camera. I can still use it as ordinary camera when I "turn" the night shot mode off and remove (unscrew) the IR filter. I can also use it as a hybrid camera with night shot and without filter.

What that microswitch does is just to tell the camera that it is in night-shot mode, so the camera gives a "greenish" look to photos, boosts ISO and turns off all manual settings.

Yes it is a neat Idea. I have been thinking about it for some time, and realised that this is the easiest and cheapiest way forward.

I am looking forward to see your IR magic done with some real equipment

Cool... I didnt think that was possable

The Jannie · 03-27-2012, 05:41 AM

Thank you for the link, Stanislav. Watching the video I realised that there may be a lot in common between the H9 and the V3. I'll get my screwdrivers out and dive in a little more deeply and see what I find.

BFN
David

**barondla** · 03-27-2012, 05:50 AM

Since the Sony can be used as a regular camera I may look for one of those too. Already have IR filters. Could be a great carry around set up.

Karma mechanic, thanks for the info. Was afraid the K-7 was the most desirable. Spencers charges the same price to alter any of the Pentax cameras, so the fiddillyness of conversion doesn't matter. Eventually looking to upgrade K-7 want to see what the next body is before buying K-5. Since live view and contrast focus is so useful makes me think the new K-01 would be great. Arghhh.

Karma mechanic, which Pentax do you use the most for IR?
Stanislav, I don't consider the Sony lesser equipment. Just like to shoot IR wiith wide angles and figure the Sony doesn't do 24 or wider equivalent. Will check that out though.
thanks
barondla ( have to figure out which IR filter to get)

stanislav · 03-27-2012, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by barondla

Stanislav, I don't consider the Sony lesser equipment. Just like to shoot IR wiith wide angles and figure the Sony doesn't do 24 or wider equivalent. Will check that out though.
thanks
barondla ( have to figure out which IR filter to get)

No offence taken.

Even if you do not consider Sony lesser equipment, I do. It is not an DSLR (no interchangable lenses), it has small sensor, only electronic viewfinder (with lcd screen)... The downside of this approach is that the filter is in front which can lead to multiple reflections between the front element of the lens and back-side of filter. That is seen later as hotspotting or ghosting. However I can still live with that since this was an affordable way to enter IR world. H9 is by no means wide - lens is 5.2-78mm with f2.7-45 (31-465mm FF equivalent), but it has more than decen macro capability. For wider photos, I would have to go with some 72mm wide-angle front adapter, which would probably degrade IQ so much that it woudln't be worth. On the other hand, if I find some 72mm wide angle converter, I'll make some photos and post for reference.

slackercruster · 03-27-2012, 06:51 AM

Here are a couple of companies that do conversions. Anyone try them...feedback?

Precision Camera - Infrared Digital Camera Conversion Service

Spencers Camera & Photo Digital Camera Infrared (IR) Conversions, Modifications and IR Photography :: Welcome

I would not convert a non dslr that I could not use my lenses on it.

Karma Mechanic...your website is...FANTASTIC!

03-25-2012, 07:21 PM	#1
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Which Pentax body for IR conversion? Playeed with friends IR modified drebel. Now I need some IR magic. Have a K10D, K20D, and K-7 ( my top camera at the moment). Which would you modify for infra red and why? Thanks barondla

03-26-2012, 11:28 AM	#5
The Jannie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 215	Me,too! Stanislav, can you describe the mechanics of the switch disablement? I have a V3 I want to convert and haven't yet decided which way to go with it. The V3, being older, may well be totally different inside from your camera but if it points me in the right direction it would be a help. BFN David

03-27-2012, 05:41 AM	#12
The Jannie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 215	Thank you Thank you for the link, Stanislav. Watching the video I realised that there may be a lot in common between the H9 and the V3. I'll get my screwdrivers out and dive in a little more deeply and see what I find. BFN David

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03-25-2012, 08:22 PM	#2
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	I'm no expert, but if it were me, I'd convert my 'lesser' camera....in this case theK10d?

03-25-2012, 11:39 PM	#3
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	I would say the K10

03-26-2012, 01:00 AM	#4
stanislav Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Stockholm Photos: Albums Posts: 125	On K20 and K-7 you have live view which could be a benefit when composing IR. I guess that you know what you are doing and you know the price of it. I wanted to play with IR as well, and found out that far cheaper way was to get a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 (a night mode enabled camera) and remove the microswitch telling the camera that night mode is enabled. Then I just added a 720nm infrared filter in front and I have an IR camera with all settings available for under 200$. I do have some problems with image quality on extreme zooms, and some hotspots when shooting towards light sources, but still it was a rather cheap and affordable way to try IR photography.

03-26-2012, 03:13 PM	#7
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Thats well simple.... The cheapest.... because your turning it into a single use camera.

03-26-2012, 06:17 PM	#8
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714 Original Poster	Neat idea Stanislav. Didn't realize this could be done so easily. I will still go the DSLR route since I have been doing IR for a while ( film) and have plenty of bodies to choose from. thanks barondla

03-26-2012, 10:14 PM - 1 Like	#9
stanislav Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Stockholm Photos: Albums Posts: 125	Originally posted by westmill Thats well simple.... The cheapest.... because your turning it into a single use camera. If you were talking about the Sony, then it is not a single use camera. I can still use it as ordinary camera when I "turn" the night shot mode off and remove (unscrew) the IR filter. I can also use it as a hybrid camera with night shot and without filter. What that microswitch does is just to tell the camera that it is in night-shot mode, so the camera gives a "greenish" look to photos, boosts ISO and turns off all manual settings. Originally posted by barondla Neat idea Stanislav. Didn't realize this could be done so easily. I will still go the DSLR route since I have been doing IR for a while ( film) and have plenty of bodies to choose from. Yes it is a neat Idea. I have been thinking about it for some time, and realised that this is the easiest and cheapiest way forward. I am looking forward to see your IR magic done with some real equipment

03-27-2012, 03:04 AM - 1 Like	#10
karma mechanic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 192	I've converted a number of Pentaxes and their Samsung equivalents. I also started with a Sony F707, but the conversion on that involved actually removing the sliding hot mirror and replacing it with clear glass, then using a filter on the lens. Regarding the difficulties of conversion, the older ones are the easiest. The *ist DL/DL2 and Samsung GX1L have relatively few wires to undo and the sensor assembly is in a fixed position. No shake reduction mechanism to worry about. The K10D/K20D are harder due to more wires, and the sensor is on adjustable mounts that need to be set correctly. The K-7 has even more wires and a very fiddly sensor assembly due to the ultrasonic shaker. I'm not sure I'd want to do a K-7 again On the other hand, the older bodies need the AF adjusted in debug mode for each lens while the K-7 can use Live View and contrast AF. The K20D is somewhere in between, it still needs AF adjust but it has a rather rudimentary Live View so at least you can see what the scene looks like in IR. I used 830nm filters on all my conversions. Nearly all the images on my website are with my converted Pentaxes plus a handful with the old Sony.

03-27-2012, 04:49 AM	#11
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by stanislav If you were talking about the Sony, then it is not a single use camera. I can still use it as ordinary camera when I "turn" the night shot mode off and remove (unscrew) the IR filter. I can also use it as a hybrid camera with night shot and without filter. What that microswitch does is just to tell the camera that it is in night-shot mode, so the camera gives a "greenish" look to photos, boosts ISO and turns off all manual settings. Yes it is a neat Idea. I have been thinking about it for some time, and realised that this is the easiest and cheapiest way forward. I am looking forward to see your IR magic done with some real equipment Cool... I didnt think that was possable

03-27-2012, 05:50 AM	#13
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714 Original Poster	Since the Sony can be used as a regular camera I may look for one of those too. Already have IR filters. Could be a great carry around set up. Karma mechanic, thanks for the info. Was afraid the K-7 was the most desirable. Spencers charges the same price to alter any of the Pentax cameras, so the fiddillyness of conversion doesn't matter. Eventually looking to upgrade K-7 want to see what the next body is before buying K-5. Since live view and contrast focus is so useful makes me think the new K-01 would be great. Arghhh. Karma mechanic, which Pentax do you use the most for IR? Stanislav, I don't consider the Sony lesser equipment. Just like to shoot IR wiith wide angles and figure the Sony doesn't do 24 or wider equivalent. Will check that out though. thanks barondla ( have to figure out which IR filter to get)

03-27-2012, 06:09 AM	#14
stanislav Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Stockholm Photos: Albums Posts: 125	Originally posted by barondla Stanislav, I don't consider the Sony lesser equipment. Just like to shoot IR wiith wide angles and figure the Sony doesn't do 24 or wider equivalent. Will check that out though. thanks barondla ( have to figure out which IR filter to get) No offence taken. Even if you do not consider Sony lesser equipment, I do. It is not an DSLR (no interchangable lenses), it has small sensor, only electronic viewfinder (with lcd screen)... The downside of this approach is that the filter is in front which can lead to multiple reflections between the front element of the lens and back-side of filter. That is seen later as hotspotting or ghosting. However I can still live with that since this was an affordable way to enter IR world. H9 is by no means wide - lens is 5.2-78mm with f2.7-45 (31-465mm FF equivalent), but it has more than decen macro capability. For wider photos, I would have to go with some 72mm wide-angle front adapter, which would probably degrade IQ so much that it woudln't be worth. On the other hand, if I find some 72mm wide angle converter, I'll make some photos and post for reference.

03-27-2012, 06:51 AM	#15
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Here are a couple of companies that do conversions. Anyone try them...feedback? Precision Camera - Infrared Digital Camera Conversion Service Spencers Camera & Photo Digital Camera Infrared (IR) Conversions, Modifications and IR Photography :: Welcome I would not convert a non dslr that I could not use my lenses on it. Karma Mechanic...your website is...FANTASTIC!