Infrared Digital SLR
DelightedI did a lot of research on the conversion process, and auto focus calibration. Although I could send my camera in for an extra $200 to have someone else convert it, I figured that my experience repairing laptops gave me enough capability to do it myself. I bought the visible-light filter and cracked open that camera to convert it.
I'm proud to say that the conversion has been successful
I now have a camera that will shoot color infrared. I'm so psyched. This is a great way to start the summer season. I can't wait to go out and see what I get!The conversion process went relatively smoothly. The infrared filter on the camera didn't come off so easily as I had expected, so I got a bit worried. Also, all the cables were super sensitive and I didn't insert them back into their places correctly. There were three cables I had to disconnect, and I messed up each one, in just about every combination possible. Very frustrating, and gave me a minor heart attack the first time when I saw the LCD screen uncontrollably blinking!! But, I didn't let it worry me too much, and I went back in... again... and again... and again... as I kept fixing this and that. hehe.
I also had to adjust the auto focus, as infrared focuses on another plane than visible light. I had a bit of a problem doing that because I couldn't get enough torque to turn the focus adjustment knob. I managed to turn it a little, so at least it's a little better, but not perfect. But, it's not too off.
In the end..... I have a working infrared digital SLR!! Wooo!
Devious Comments
charged me $300, but it was well worth it...
sure i have a degree in EE and all that....
but it's much easier to pay someone else to do it, you save those heart attack moments
they also tuned the camera's AF to the lens i use with the camera (canon's 50mm 1.8) but it's not far off on my 28-135 or the kit lens (18-55)
be sure to do a custom white balance, otherwise your color images come out mostly red..
grass is perfect for the job....
i have some false color and B&W IR shots scattered through my gallery....
WARNING: some materials are transparent to IR.... so be careful photographing in bright sunlight, the results may scare you!
I figured I was experienced enough with electronics to handle it - and I was. The only problems were the cables. They were a lot more sensitive than laptop cables are, and much more difficult to insert back.
Plus, converting Nikons is easier than converting Canons. I would have never converted a Canon.
As for the AF, it's only *slightly* off at f/1.4... which isn't bad at all since most photos are shot above that anyway.
does that N camera have a pop-up flash?
i popped the lens off the flash on the DRebel and stuck a piece of processed but unexposed E6 film behind the lens, it blocks mostly all of the visible light but the IR screams right through it....
i use it mostly for bands in dark bars where flash is obnoxious....
Congrats on the cam though. I can't wait to see what you will do with it too!
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I'm here for the cookies!
I then saved myself another $200 doing it myself
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