I don't think any company will release an IR converted camera. Fuji tried it and so far I know it wasn't really a success. The IR conversion is nothing more than removing/replacing the hot-filter since the CCD/CMOS is already sensitive to both IR and UV. The Pentax K10D has a very strong hotfilter so IR photography is quite impossible with an unmodded K10D, but K100D Super has some potential (where the K10D needed 30sec K100Ds needed 2sec). Also full spectrum modded (hotfilter removed) SLR has some serious disadvantage if it doesn't have a live view, since you can't see trough the IR filter. IR modded (hotfilter replaced with IR filter) SLR makes life just a little easier since the IR light's different wavelength needs different focusing (it means if with normal light the focus distance is for example 5 meters then with IR light it would be 7 meters). Sigma has an interesting solution to this, since the hotfilter can be found between the lens and the mirror and you can remove it anytime (or even replace it with some filters).
With Live View things are way more easier since you can see trough the IR filter with the help of CCD+LCD and you can compose much more easier with this. Also to get the correct exposure if the camera meters with the CCD/CMOS is just as easy as with normal light photography. I have a full spectrum modded Panasonic FZ50 and I really enjoy doing hand-held IR photography with it. I can't wait to have a little better weather here and make some nature IR shots with it. To test your camera's IR capabilities you should get a remote control, face it to the cam and make a picture of it while pressing a button. If you see a little white/purple light on the front of the RC then you camera has IR possibilities (like K100D). If you see nothing (like K10D) then your camera has a strong hotfilter. Also to mod a CCD-Shift mechanism SLR is very risky cause you have to 'touch' the very sensitive anti-shake mechanism too. I think that's why lifepixel won't do K10D modding. If you want to get into the IR photography I suggest to buy an SLR-Like cam (like Panasonic FZ50, Fujifilm S9600, Canon S3/S5 IS or if you can afford then a Sony R1) and start with that. Modded SLR is only needed if you would like to do astrophotography, but in this case I recommend using an Canon EOS 350D/400D (or if you can afford then a Nikon D300) instead of Pentax K10(0)D, since there you won't need Shake Reduction, EOS has lower noise at higher ISO and you can put your K lenses on EOS with ease. But I highly recommend to try IR photography with a modded SLR-like cam first. If you're brave enough then you can do the conversion yourself, there are lot of instructions about this on the internet. For me the PanaFZ50 full spectrum modding was 25K HUF (approx 140 US$) with 6 month guarantee on the service's work. I think almost any repair store would accept such orders not just lifepixel. Also there are auctions on EBay where they sell Full Spectrum modded Fuji S9600 and you can order almost any type of cameras modded to full spectrum (they offered me a PanaFZ50 package just the other day I bought my PanaFZ50 :P). IR fotography is a joy and shows a wonderful new world... really worths it's price! So back to topic: Since every digital camera is capable of IR shooting and it's quite easy to get IR/FS conversion there's no real reason to release an official IR converted camera. Just think about Fuji's "success" with FinePix IS-1 or FinePix IS Pro. .t Ps.: One thing I forgot: You have to carefully choose the camera (or in case of SLR the lens) because of the hot-spot. For example Minolta A1 has a very strong hotspot, yet Fuji S9600/S5000, Canon S5/S3 and Panasonic FZ50 has no hotspot (this is first hand experience). Hotspot is mostly caused by the IR light bouncing differently inside the lens and causes a strong light-spot in the middle of the picture. Here's a very good example: http://www.sensor-film.com/IR_hotspot.jpg David J Brooks wrote: > Some one on pentax forums seems to think Pentax will do an IR > conversion to their cameras. I have never heard of this, > any one heard of this. > > I know lifepixel will not do it. > > Dave > > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
