R1 Infrared Modification

Andy · March 1, 2006

Ran into a snag with the Sony R1 Infrared Mod

maxmax wrote:

i have been playing with the DSC-R1, and this is what I have found so far:

- With an IR filter, hot spotting can be a problem. The hot spotting is related to aperture. The larger the aperture, the less the problem I found that under F4.0, I rarely could see a hot spot on the viewfinder.
- With no IR filter or a CC1 filter, I don't get a hot spot.
- Hot spotting occurs with the Hoya R72, MaxMax 715, 830 and 1000.
- Oddly, hot spotting does not occur with the MaxMax XDP.
- I tried changing the angle of the filter relative to the camera and the hotspots still occur. Therefore, the hot spotting is related to the IR frequencies but is internal to the camera.
- What is happening in the camera at IR frequencies is unknown. Could be related to lens coatings that reflect IR, the somewhat reflective CMOS or some combination. The DSC-R1 has the worst hot spotting I have seen yet.

So, I think you could use the camera as is with an XDP filter for IR shooting and CC1 for normal. Another possibility is that I *might* be able to install a 715 internal filter. That might fix the hot spot problem, but I don't know for sure. I learn more about these cameras all the time.

I was surprised to see the XDP work well. Probably has something to do with the particular frequencies passed by the XDP and the reflective frequencies of the camera optics.

I'm passing on the R1 for now. Back to the DSLR drawing board!

nojke · March 1, 2006

Andy wrote:

Ran into a snag with the Sony R1 Infrared Mod

I'm passing on the R1 for now. Back to the DSLR drawing board!

Darn...

I was hoping to see some 10 MP Modded IR pics... o well guess i have to wait.

Andy · March 1, 2006

Yep, me too. I was looking forward to it! I'm going back to a Rebel XT mod.

Scott_Quier · March 1, 2006

For those of us less in the know, can someone supply a short explaination of this "hot spotting"?

TIA - really appreciate it.

Andy · March 1, 2006

Scott_Quier wrote:

For those of us less in the know, can someone supply a short explaination of this "hot spotting"?

TIA - really appreciate it.

Light reflection from sensor to lens and back to sensor - makes "hot" area in center of frame - like overexposure...

wxwax · March 1, 2006

I'm still on the fence. A long time ago I bought a used D60, intending to convert it to IR. The price tag gave me pause.

Now it's wide angle that's giving me pause. Infra-red, wide angle and landscapes are best pals. The D60 can't take the 10-22. A Rebel will. That would mean selling the D60 and doing what Andy did - getting a low-cost 350D and modifying it.

As I said, I'm torn and fence-sitting. It's not my nature to fool with this stuff more than once. So whatever I do will be something I live with for a long time.

wxwax · March 1, 2006

BTW, thanks for posting that info, Andy.

Andy · March 1, 2006

wxwax wrote:

I'm still on the fence. A long time ago I bought a used D60, intending to convert it to IR. The price tag gave me pause.

Now it's wide angle that's giving me pause. Infra-red, wide angle and landscapes are best pals. The D60 can't take the 10-22. A Rebel will. That would mean selling the D60 and doing what Andy did - getting a low-cost 350D and modifying it.

The 10-22 makes it way worthwhile IMO. And the 8mpx sensor on the XT.

Dani · March 1, 2006

pffffffffffftttttttt!

you need one of these

http://maxmax.com/canon_5d.htm

Andy wrote:

The 10-22 makes it way worthwhile IMO. And the 8mpx sensor on the XT.

Andy · March 1, 2006

Dani wrote:

pffffffffffftttttttt!

you need one of these

http://maxmax.com/canon_5d.htm

you know, he's also modded the 1Ds Mark II

wxwax · March 1, 2006

Dani wrote:

pffffffffffftttttttt!

you need one of these

http://maxmax.com/canon_5d.htm

Ideal... but a weeeeee bit pricey!

DanielB · March 1, 2006

Andy wrote:

you know, he's also modded the 1Ds Mark II

damn.... that would be nice.

mr peas · March 2, 2006

Andy wrote:

Ran into a snag with the Sony R1 Infrared Mod

I'm passing on the R1 for now. Back to the DSLR drawing board!

So what exactly is MaxMax's explanation saying? Did he remove the hot filter and replace it with a clear glass filter and when he used the IR filters like the R72 under F4, it began to show hot spotting on the images? Or are all of these complications because he didn't modify it yet and with the use of a just IR filters the camera still produces hot spotting?

Moonshot · March 2, 2006

Andy wrote:

Ran into a snag with the Sony R1 Infrared Mod

I'm passing on the R1 for now. Back to the DSLR drawing board!

I have been researching the IR conversion and I checked to see how you were progressing on the R1. It looks like a bust. Do you know anything about the conversions done by David Burren, http://burren.cx/photo/ir_cameras.html, The cost is significantly lower. I am considering the conversion of a Nikon D50 because of the low body cost.

gtc · March 2, 2006

david burren ir conversions
david burren is a founding member of a local forum that i use- passionforpixels.com-he is currently doing some 5D conversions for some people doing ultra wide infrared landscapes-i haven't heard anything bad about his conversions-he seems to know what he is doing and will probably get my business in the future

Andy · March 2, 2006

Moonshot wrote:

I have been researching the IR conversion and I checked to see how you were progressing on the R1. It looks like a bust. Do you know anything about the conversions done by David Burren, http://burren.cx/photo/ir_cameras.html, The cost is significantly lower. I am considering the conversion of a Nikon D50 because of the low body cost.

Nope - I'm sticking with Dan from Maxmax - his outfit is impeccable, service great, results are outstanding. I've had a number of cameras done by Dan at maxmax.com and I can't say enough good things about him.

Choice is good though!

wxwax · March 2, 2006

Nice piccies on that site, gtc.

gtc · March 2, 2006

wxwax wrote:

Nice piccies on that site, gtc.

yes its a good site-its not too big and the one a day critique gallery works well too

ziggy53 · March 2, 2006

Dani wrote:

pffffffffffftttttttt!

you need one of these

http://maxmax.com/canon_5d.htm

Dani,

Andy gave you that great little (well, ... not "so" little) lens. Wouldn't it be be swell of you to reciprocate with an IR modded 5D? I bet you wouldn't have to send him another food item like, well, forever!

Just thinking out loud (... and I'll shut up now.)

ziggy53

Marc-Andre · March 28, 2006

XDP flter ?

Andy wrote:

Ran into a snag with the Sony R1 Infrared Mod

I'm passing on the R1 for now. Back to the DSLR drawing board!

Hello Andy,

I was just about to order a sony R-1 from maxmax when l read your post.
I went back to the web site an there is very few informations about the XDP filter. Does it compare to any infrared filters on a sunny day, I use to shoot with a kodak #29 filter with the Konica infrared film and the results were generally pleasing.Do you have any pictures than you can share with us taken with this, rather uncommon filter.

thanks in advance

Marc-Andre
Montreal

Andy · March 28, 2006

Marc-Andre wrote:

Hello Andy,

I was just about to order a sony R-1 from maxmax when l read your post.
I went back to the web site an there is very few informations about the XDP filter. Does it compare to any infrared filters on a sunny day, I use to shoot with a kodak #29 filter with the Konica infrared film and the results were generally pleasing.Do you have any pictures than you can share with us taken with this, rather uncommon filter.

thanks in advance

Marc-Andre
Montreal

Bonjour Marc-Andre,

XDP allows more blue light in, enabling you to make photos like this:

I hope this helps!

Marc-Andre · March 28, 2006

Wow!

Andy wrote:

Bonjour Marc-Andre,

XDP allows more blue light in, enabling you to make photos like this:
I hope this helps!

Thanks a lot, yes that helps. If you convert these files into grayscale mode
i presume that would looked like to a B&W IR rendering. That reassures me. I will probably recondider to buy a R-1 after all.

thanks again

IRNewbie · May 15, 2006

The Compleat Newbie questions...
Hello Forum. I'm an "advanced amatuer" photographer, looking for a little advanced help. I'm considering getting into IR photography using my recently purchased Sony R1. I'm considering the maxmax solution, using the XDP filter and CC1 filters, as mentioned here.

My question is probably more generic to IR photography, but since you guys seem to know your stuff, I thought I'd ask here.

The question is, is there anything in particular I need to know about IR photography, once I have a camera modded for it? For example, what will the EVF show me? I suspect regular color. Also, do I need to use Manual mode or can I use P mode, or even Auto mode? i.e.: Do I need to adjust the settings - aperture, shutter, EV, ISO, whatever - from what the cameras metering system is telling me I should be using? Any tricks of the trade, so to speak? Any good books on the subject, or web sites? I've been to one or two, but they seem to be hugely technical in nature - do I need to be hugely technical to consider IR?

Thanks VERY much for your time and consideration.

Eric

BeachBill · March 26, 2007

Moonshot wrote:

I have been researching the IR conversion and I checked to see how you were progressing on the R1. It looks like a bust. Do you know anything about the conversions done by David Burren, http://burren.cx/photo/ir_cameras.html, The cost is significantly lower. I am considering the conversion of a Nikon D50 because of the low body cost.

Just now replying to this, a year late, because I just got a camera converted to IR by David Burren's company Khromagery. The reason I went with David is he is the only one that converts the Canon Powershot Pro1.

I am very pleased with his service and the results of the conversion. One thing to note about David, he is in Australia so you have to fill out some customs paperwork. I found that the whole process was very easy and I also discovered that USPS International Express Mail is reasonably priced and quite quick!

The first 15 images (as of this writing--I'm always adding more) were taken with the Canon Powershot Pro1/R72 modded camera.

http://gallery.primarycolors.com/infrared

I'm really new to IR and I'm still experimenting with WB settings (both in camera and in ACR) and PP techniques, but so far I'm pleased with the results.

R1 Infrared Modification

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