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IR- To Convert Or Not To Convert? email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 88/100. trickiwoo (1931)   ranked 16 out of 3,130 in photography1 year ago

I love infrared photography!

I currently have an infrared filter that I attach to the end of my camera. These IR filters require you to put your camera on a tripod and use a very long exposure. Unfortunately, long exposures aren't always practical for all situations. Plus, infrared filters are pretty expensive, so I only have one. Which means it will only fit on one of my lenses.

There is an alternative to using IR filters, and that is converting your camera to shoot infrared. Life Pixel http://lifepixel.com is a company that converts digital cameras to shoot infrared. With these converted cameras, you can shoot handheld infrared photos with quick shutter speeds! Plus, since it's your actual camera that is altered, you can use any lens to get infrared photos!


My first DSLR was a Nikon D70. I later upgraded to a Nikon D300. I still have my D70, but I haven't even touched it since I got my D300. So I'm debating whether or not to convert my D70 in infrared.

The problem with the conversion is that it voids the warranty. Plus, I'm currently using my D70 as a back up camera, so if I convert it then I lose my back up. Plus, I'm very attached to my D70! It's my baby! I'm pretty uncomfortable at the thought of opening her up and altering her!

I could always buy a used D70 for around $300. But then it's another $200-$400 for the conversion. Which is a lot of money I end up spending, when I don't need to buy another camera, since I don't even touch my D70 as it is!


So I haven't decided what to do. What would you recommend?

Is anyone else into infrared photography?


Infrared
 
 
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pyewacket (11587) response was accepted on 3/10/2009.
denotes best response.
tags:  infrared, conversion, ir, filter, digital cameras
 
1. myLot reputation of 98/100. pyewacket (11587)   ranked 3 out of 3,130 in photography   1 year ago

Well I still use a film camera, my trusty Nikkormat EL-W that I got in 1977..and YES still works (aren't Nikons great?) I've used red filters on my lenses to give the infrared type effect and of course there still is infrared film. But instead of going through all that trouble converting anything...why not just do some tricks at Photoshop? You can get a zillion affects that way...Go to Photoshop...you'll see on the toolbar "Filter"...click on that it'll open up to and you'll see "Adjustments" click on that and you'll see "Photo Filter" and will act just like any filter, warming ones, cooling one.."Invert" and Posterize..and on and on. Okay here's one original photo...no special effects.


Original image of Mimosa Tree

myLot reputation of 98/100. pyewacket (11587)   ranked 3 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

Now here's the same image with the invert filter

 

myLot reputation of 88/100. trickiwoo (1931)   ranked 16 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

Unfortunately you can't achieve true infrared with Photoshop. You can make some similar looking effects, but it just doesn't even compare with the true IR. That can only be achieved by some sort of filter that blocks regular light and only allows infrared light to pass through.


myLot reputation of 98/100. pyewacket (11587)   ranked 3 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

I just HAVE to ask this...if ever I'm fortunate enough to get a digital camera is the Nikon D70 really good...it sounds like it is from what you're saying...as for the D300, I've heard that it's "noisy" is that true? You see I'm trying for a grant and if I can secure money from a grant a digital camera is the first thing on my list of things to get...


myLot reputation of 88/100. trickiwoo (1931)   ranked 16 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

I have a D70 and a D300, and the D70 is far noisier than the D300! The D300 at 6400 ISO has significantly less noise than the D70 at 1600 ISO.

I have heard that D3 is pretty much noise free. You can shoot at high ISOs and not get any noise. However, the D3 costs about $5,000.

So yes, the more money you spend on a camera, the less noise it's going to have. So you can spend $5,000 for a camera with no noise. Or you can spend $1,700 for a camera with some noise.


myLot reputation of 98/100. pyewacket (11587)   ranked 3 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

That's weird cause I was reading reviews about D300 and the major complaint was noise...would the D70 though be good for a first time digital camera? Once I get a digital camera going to have to learn about photography all over again...LOL


myLot reputation of 88/100. trickiwoo (1931)   ranked 16 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

Yes! I would highly recommend the D70 as a first camera! It is an absolutely fantastic camera! I love mine so much! Which is why I'm having such a hard time deciding if I should convert it or not!


myLot reputation of 98/100. pyewacket (11587)   ranked 3 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

I suppose I could go the Canon route, but Nikon is the only brand I'm familiar with...the fact that I can still use my Nikkormat EL-W film camera I got in 1977 should attest to their durabilityhappy


myLot reputation of 88/100. trickiwoo (1931)   ranked 16 out of 3,130 in photography  1 year ago

If you like Nikon, stick with them! Their cameras are only getting better and better! So if you've been completely satisfied with Nikons in the past, you will continue to be satisfied with them now!

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