Getting infrared conversion - but which filter..?

PhotoTalk

PhotoTalk

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Fancy trying my hand at IR images but have no experience with it.

Been offered the choice of 665nm/ 680nm /720nm/ 760nm/ 850nm/ 950nm /1000nm on a D70. eBay sellers explains the differences this way: "More length wave, more nature [sic.] IR standard color you get. Shorter length wave, more colors you get." Ok, I think I understand that, but it doesn't help me make the decision... :thinking:

Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated.
 
Who are you planning to get to do the conversion? Whatever you do avoid protechrepairs.co.uk (they advertise on Ebay) like the plague - they destroyed my brand new camera and then tried to fob me off with a well-used one (which they claimed was new) in it's place :shake:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Who are you planning to get to do the conversion? Whatever you do avoid protechrepairs.co.uk (they advertise on Ebay) like the plague - they destroyed my brand new camera and then tried to fob me off with a well-used one (which they claimed was new) in it's place :shake:
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Sorry to hear that. Thinking of using one of the US people advertising on ebay with good feedback, mainly because I have a relative going over there for a month who can post and collect inland. Would work out quite a bit cheaper than doing it here.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Why not just get Lifepixel themselves to do it then?
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More expensive afaik - their site says $325.00 for a Nikon DSLR. Less than half that price with services I'm looking at, unless I'm missing something... :thinking:
 
PhotoTalk said:
Fancy trying my hand at IR images but have no experience with it.

Been offered the choice of 665nm/ 680nm /720nm/ 760nm/ 850nm/ 950nm /1000nm on a D70. eBay sellers explains the differences this way: "More length wave, more nature [sic.] IR standard color you get. Shorter length wave, more colors you get." Ok, I think I understand that, but it doesn't help me make the decision... :thinking:

Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated.
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My thoughts ... Have you seeen some IR stuff that you would like to do and can you link to an example?
Most IR is done in the 720 to 850 region which is the near IR end and gives pleasing results but nor very strong! Go to the higher end and you get into the deep blacks and very contrasty images! If you want the combined IR and visible light shots go for the lower end conversion ... TBH all the shots will need some PP and of course you will need good light and subjects and winter won't be the best time for IR. :thinking: Another option would be to completely remove the filter and go for full spectrum :)

Can you post a link to who is offering the conversion? as there are some real cowboys out there :D
 
Splog, I've seen a lot of IR stuff that I've liked, and from across the spectrum, but your explanation is very helpful. The (possible) cowboy with the cheap price on ebay I was thinking about is username neverlostdata_ny
 
PhotoTalk said:
Splog, I've seen a lot of IR stuff that I've liked, and from across the spectrum, but your explanation is very helpful. The (possible) cowboy with the cheap price on ebay I was thinking about is username neverlostdata_ny
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I have no experience of these people but I would be very wary as they are extremely cheap, poor language and no guarantees whatsoever ... :thinking:
 
Splog said:
I have no experience of these people but I would be very wary as they are extremely cheap, poor language and no guarantees whatsoever ... :thinking:
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Know what you mean, but there are few guarantees anywhere really... But in some ways, ebay offers more guarantees than most - paying by paypal, you have recourse to a refund if you don't get what you pay for, and that system works well in my experience.

Perhaps a small point, but not sure what poor language has to do with anything. We are talking about the ability to do the IR conversion, and proficiency in English is of little relevance. Presumably English is his second language, which makes him a far better linguist than me! :thumbs:
 
PhotoTalk said:
Know what you mean, but there are few guarantees anywhere really... But in some ways, ebay offers more guarantees than most - paying by paypal, you have recourse to a refund if you don't get what you pay for, and that system works well in my experience.

Perhaps a small point, but not sure what poor language has to do with anything. We are talking about the ability to do the IR conversion, and proficiency in English is of little relevance. Presumably English is his second language, which makes him a far better linguist than me! :thumbs:
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Not quite .... LifePixel guarantee their work as do other companies! as far as Ebay is concerned if you get the camera back then how do they know if the conversion was done correctly and it would be a case of your opinion against the sellers and you would need time to test the camera properly?

I disagree about the language thing as being unimportant as you have to be able to communicate in the event of a dispute and their descriptions are vague to say the least ...:thinking:

You asked for thoughts and I've given mine .... Caveat Emptor..... :shrug:
 
Splog said:
Not quite .... LifePixel guarantee their work as do other companies! as far as Ebay is concerned if you get the camera back then how do they know if the conversion was done correctly and it would be a case of your opinion against the sellers and you would need time to test the camera properly?

I disagree about the language thing as being unimportant as you have to be able to communicate in the event of a dispute and their descriptions are vague to say the least ...:thinking:

You asked for thoughts and I've given mine .... Caveat Emptor..... :shrug:
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The sellers I've been looking at offer an exchange if not happy, and the feedback system gives you an idea of how many people have been happy with the service. Anyway, it's a matter of price for me above everything else as I'm talking about a cheap D70 body. If I was considering a better camera I might be more fearful of taking a chance - but with this one, I don't think LifePixel are worth it. Can't really justify paying double the camera's value on the conversion.

The only thing we probably disagree on is language-use. I agree with you that it's important, but think that the seller under discussion is an able communicator in English, certainly able enough to deal with any potential disputes. Incidentally, I meet native speakers of English most days who I guess would be much worse to deal with in such situations :lol:

Thanks again for your thoughts. I think I'll probably go the cheaper route but take your advice re where on the spectrum to order the conversion :thumbs:
 
PhotoTalk said:
The sellers I've been looking at offer an exchange if not happy, and the feedback system gives you an idea of how many people have been happy with the service. Anyway, it's a matter of price for me above everything else as I'm talking about a cheap D70 body. If I was considering a better camera I might be more fearful of taking a chance - but with this one, I don't think LifePixel are worth it. Can't really justify paying double the camera's value on the conversion.

The only thing we probably disagree on is language-use. I agree with you that it's important, but think that the seller under discussion is an able communicator in English, certainly able enough to deal with any potential disputes. Incidentally, I meet native speakers of English most days who I guess would be much worse to deal with in such situations :lol:

Thanks again for your thoughts. I think I'll probably go the cheaper route but take your advice re where on the spectrum to order the conversion :thumbs:
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No probs ... :) Look forward to the shots ... :cool:
 
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