Dedicated infrared cameras

[Rooster]

I love black and white and infrared landscapes and I'm thinking of buying a dedicated infrared DSLR. However I'm a bit puzzled, they are described as eg 665nm or 720nm, what is this exactly? I presume it's to do with the amount or type of light that reaches the sensor? Which is best, bearing in mind I want pure black and white, no colour left in there. There are a few such cameras on Ebay but they're all Nikon D70/D70s for some reason. I would like a converted Canon 400d so i can use my Canon lenses.

 

[HoppyUK]

I love black and white and infrared landscapes and I'm thinking of buying a dedicated infrared DSLR. However I'm a bit puzzled, they are described as eg 665nm or 720nm, what is this exactly? I presume it's to do with the amount or type of light that reaches the sensor? Which is best, bearing in mind I want pure black and white, no colour left in there. There are a few such cameras on Ebay but they're all Nikon D70/D70s for some reason. I would like a converted Canon 400d so i can use my Canon lenses.

It's the infrared radiation frequency, 720 being further into IR.

Contact Advanced Camera Services who specialise in IR camera conversions http://www.advancedcameraservices.co.uk/Specialist_UV_IR_cameras/IR.htm

 

[sketch145]

The 665nm and 720nm I think is the wavelength of IR that the filter allows past (in nanometers), The infrared spectrum technically starts at 700nm so with a 665 nm filter there may be a little contamination of visible light, mainly reds as these are the closest wavelength to IR (as Hoppy says the 720 will be further into the IR spectrum), from what I've seen the 720nm gives a little more depth to the darker tones but that may just be the PP on the specific images I've seen.

like any other DSLR the raw image straight from the camera will be in colour (and will usually give you some funky colour casts, so you may have to experiment with WB and be prepared to do some channel swapping in PP) so if you want B&W you'll have to either shoot in jpg or convert the pic afterwards.

As for the camera itself, there's a couple of converted 350Ds on ebay at the moment and 10Ds are also quite popular for the conversion, although if you're specifically after a 400D you may have to get one converted yourself.

There's quite a lot of info on IR photography on LifePixel (they do conversions too but are US based)

 

[King_Boru]

You can use a Sigma SD14 as an IR camera by removing the Dust Protection Filter in the sensor housing. Straight forward and very simple. Came across it when I was looking for an IR camera myself.

Alternatively the FujiS5Pro can be bought as an IR camera. Here are some details: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0707/07071304fujifilmispro.asp

 

[Rooster]

That's handy, thanks fellas. I might keep my eyes open for a cheap 400D or 350d body to get converted.

 

[fallen_mathi]

if your technical, buy a 400d and convert it yourselff.... i did it with a nikon d1x... (but alas im not technical, and although it still works, it has some funky new features ) : http://www.lifepixel.com/ir-tutoria...-digital-infrared-conversion-instructions.htm

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Alternatively the FujiS5Pro can be bought as an IR camera. Here are some details: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0707/07071304fujifilmispro.asp

It can be bought, however you need to complete a vetting process before Fuji will allow you to buy one....

 

[swag72]

I absolutely can recommend Advanced Camera Services as Hoppy said above. They serviced my IR before I left the UK, having also completed the original conversion. They were quick, provided good customer service and of course their work was excellent and the camera is working a dream.