Infrared compacts?

[Glidergoth]

Anyone got any experience using converted IR compacts? Looking at a Nikon coolpix 5400 on FleaBay. Seller reckons

"A 750Nm replacement filter has been fitted in place of internal hot mirror that allows usually reflected IR light to enter the camera and for most light from the visible spectrum (RGB) to be filtered out. As the filter has been fitted internally, behind the lens assembly, the camara benefits from the following over standard IR conversions:
Hand held shots without a tripod in short exposure times
No guess work or black displays, metered shots with LCD preview prior to taking photos"

I've absolutely no experience yet with IR. Does this sound reasonable? I'm also a bit nervous about the 5MP sensor (low IQ?). Another website reckons there's a firmware upgrade for this camera to allow it to recod raw (NEF) files that sounds better (shooting exclusively raw on a D300 to date).

Any advice / comment welcome.

 

[Tori_T]

*looks on the 'bay*
Compared to what the "factory model" 5400's are going for, they do seem rather expensive for 5Mpix cameras.

You might want to look out for a cheap Sony F717. It too is 5Mpix, but it has a slightly bigger sensor and a much better lens. It also switches between standard view and full spectrum straight out of the box; all you need to add is the appropriate 58mm IR filter, and maybe a ND4/8 for bright conditions.

I have one, and find it's good for taking an IR shot, removing the filters, flipping the switch, and taking a VL shot for contrast/comparison.

 

[Splog]

Anyone got any experience using converted IR compacts? Looking at a Nikon coolpix 5400 on FleaBay. Seller reckons

"A 750Nm replacement filter has been fitted in place of internal hot mirror that allows usually reflected IR light to enter the camera and for most light from the visible spectrum (RGB) to be filtered out. As the filter has been fitted internally, behind the lens assembly, the camara benefits from the following over standard IR conversions:
Hand held shots without a tripod in short exposure times
No guess work or black displays, metered shots with LCD preview prior to taking photos"

I've absolutely no experience yet with IR. Does this sound reasonable? I'm also a bit nervous about the 5MP sensor (low IQ?). Another website reckons there's a firmware upgrade for this camera to allow it to recod raw (NEF) files that sounds better (shooting exclusively raw on a D300 to date).

Any advice / comment welcome.

TBH Sound okay, but I suggest you ask the seller who did the conversion and if they have any shots they can send you? ..... A link to the item would be helpful

 

[Glidergoth]

Cheers - I'll look up the Sony. The Nikon is offered by a mob called "InfraReady" who claim to have converted lots of compacts etc and look kosher.

My other option is to nick back my old Canon IXUS 750 off my daughter and get that converted.