Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

I'm considering saving my nickels to get my K-01 converted to a full spectrum camera.

I'm not clear on whether BOTH IR-Cut filter and the AA filter is removed as part of the process. With a Canon these are essentially sandwiched together (at least the Canon Digital Rebel XSi (450D), XS (1000D), T1i (500D) & T2i (550D) according to this page:
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 450D IR Filter Removal Modification - Imaging Chip Disassembly - Page 4 -by Gary Honis
This page has an illustration (a ways down) of a similar look at the K-5 II and I'm assuming that is similar to the K-01
Pentax K-5 II Review - Overview

Those of you that have had Full Spectrum conversion done, do you know what material was used as the clear window in your conversion?

If your converted camera has Live View, I'm curious as to whether there is enough light to focus with a Hydrogen Alpha filter (or some such narrowband) in the optical path and using Live View. If that is possible, then I think that the K-01 is an excellent candidate for putting a filter inside the body (no mirror to worry about).

I also *just* discovered that you can use the PC/AV OUT on the K-01 like this:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/138-pentax-k-01/227354-probs-med-k-01-lif...ml#post2420487
That example is using video recording to make its point and I've just sent the poster a question to see if it works with Focus Peaking on still shots as well. If so, I'd like to get an external LCD monitor to aid in focusing for astrophotography. Or maybe just figure out how to hook it up to a laptop? I'm sorta dumb about these adapter questions.

EDIT: It appears that using the Pentax I-AVC7 cable works for video only (not Live View in still mode). Still I'm wondering if it might be an aid to set the camera to Video and use a larger monitor for focusing with manual focus lenses (like on the moon?) and then switch to M or B for the actual composition/exposure.

All of this might be great for being able to do imaging with the moon up (or other light pollution issues), either with a Pentax lens or with the K-01 attached to the telescope (where it weighs almost exactly HALF that of my K-3).

I'm all ears if anyone has info on any of the above.

I had a Pentax K10D converted to full spectrum back in 2011. I don't know what they used as the replacement material.

I did talk with Kolari Vision to inquire if they could use a supplied filter to convert a camera and they were enthusiastic about the idea. They were also willing to attempt modifications to cameras that weren't on their list of capabilities.

In the future, when I convert another dslr, I'll get an IDAS HEUIB-II filter and use that as the coverplate. The full spectrum is nice, but not needed for astro unless you really want to try Near IR.

Hope this helps!

Had not heard of IDAS HEUIB-II before your post, so thanks for that!

Yes, it's one of the better new filters, specifically designed for DSLRs that will be modified for astro work.

Any luck or experience with converting? I know it is a while ago, but...

I was given this place for K5 conversion. Supposed to be good.

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

Thanks, maybe will look into that when my K-30 aperture finally dies and I will by another camera...

Spencers did my K-01 full spectrum conversion a while back. I still use it.

Do you have any images for comparison? Are you using additional narrow band filters to get the images, or is it a different kind of full spectrum?

I am not really using it for astro stuff since the K-01 is limited to 30 second exposures and has no external intervalometer port. When using it for astro stuff after color is balanced out it is very close to standard visible stuff with maybe a bit mroe red and blue channel response, but that's really it.

These guys did a full spectrum conversion on my K-50. I don't use it for astro, but I love it for IR.
plants next door 3 | 950 NM IR There is a crop in here somew? | Flickr

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but my attention span wanders and eventually comes back to the subject...

While it is true that the K-01 lacks an external intervalometer port, it does respond to an IR Remote. I'm wondering if that applies to "B" as well. If so, one could pretty easily construct a IR LED that would stay on for longer than 30 seconds, which should allow one to exceed the perceived 30 second exposure limit. Tips & Tricks: IR LED

It seems to me that one could also use the Multi-Exposure feature of the K-01 to exceed 30 seconds by taking up to NINE 30 second exposures and merging them into one shot. (This assumes your guiding/focal length combination can handle the total time). One would want to have the Auto EV set to "off" in this case (and the number of exposures would need to be under the sky fog exposure time for your site/night).

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you can set the bulb shutter press function to a trigger to start the exposure and then another trigger to stop the exposure.

Does the K-01 work with PKTether for USB control?

I'd be concerned about the multi-exposure feature unless if it can be set to save the individual raws before merging them.