Infrared Conversion Suppliers?

[iSequoia]

I have a Z7 that’s gathering dust and am tempted to convert it to full spectrum so I can use different IR and other filters. Two companies that I have looked at are LifePIxel and Kolari. Their prices for conversion are about the same as are the prices of Kolari’s internal filters and LifePixel’s magnet external filters.

I have several Z lenses and know that some do not work so well in IR but looking over the Kolari database I think I have some good choices.

Does anyone have a preference for either of these companies or perhaps another source that they like? I’m in the US if that matters. -John

 

[Calson]

LifePixel is the leader and provides a lot of tutorials on processing IR images with Photoshop. I had them do a D610 as I needed Live View with IR to be able to focus. One is dependent on manual focusing and this also affects lens choices. I had a Sigma 24-105mm lens that was virtually impossible to manually focus and I ended up selling the lens.

 

[RichF]

wonder if there is an advantage of converting a z 6 vs z 7? Does the extra MP show up in prints or is the resolution limited by lens and sensor technology (not optimized for IR)?

 

[Chris K]

I’ve had IR cameras from both… Fuji X and Nikon Z. I can’t say I found a major difference, but I’ve only shot 720nm-ish conversions, so I can’t speak for full-spectrum conversions.

If you like shooting B&W landscapes, I highly recommend IR. It gives you a fun thing to do during harsh noon-day sun.

 

[SandyW]

I used Kolari. Good company.

 

[dabhand16]

I've just bought a mint Z5 with only 1600 shutter actuations to convert to IR. I'll be going down the 720nm route. I was going to get one of my Fuji XT- 4s converted, but it is far too capable a camera to convert so I PX'd it for the Z5 that only cost me my XT-4 + 60GPB.

 

[abc123brian]

I’ve only ever used lifepixel and have been happy with them. The next time I have a camera converted it will be full spectrum as I like the idea of it being more flexible. They usually have a sale on conversion around Black Friday if you're not in a rush.

 

[dwm55]

I have a Z7 that’s gathering dust and am tempted to convert it to full spectrum so I can use different IR and other filters. Two companies that I have looked at are LifePIxel and Kolari. Their prices for conversion are about the same as are the prices of Kolari’s internal filters and LifePixel’s magnet external filters.

I have several Z lenses and know that some do not work so well in IR but looking over the Kolari database I think I have some good choices.

Does anyone have a preference for either of these companies or perhaps another source that they like? I’m in the US if that matters. -John

I used LifePixel for my full spectrum conversion of my Z5. I thought they did an excellent job.

I've also invested in Kolari's snap in IR and Astro filters, which to me was a game changer. A good IR filter is expensive. I bought 77mm IR filters only to find I had to purchase 82mm filters if I want to use my Nikon Z 14-30 f/4 lens. The clip-in filters magnetically clip-in over the sensor, which lets me use any lens in my collection. This also lets me lenses that can not mount filters. I also bought their clip-in CUT filter for when I want to use the Z5 as a normal camera, like when I'm traveling with my wife and know that carrying a Z9 is unnecessary. Changing the clip-in filters are relatively easy, but in a dusty environment, less desirable than a screw on filter over the lens.

Besides LifePixel and Kolari IR hotspot lists, a search will yield other lists that give insight of missing lenses. Generally I find that AI/AIS lenses make good IR candidates. It appears to me that the more complex the lens and coatings, the more troublesome they are in hotspots.

Dave

 

[SandyW]

Kolari also sells the CLiR Infrared Photography Mastery (IR Course and Software.( I found that course and PS plugin to be very useful.

 

[Chris K]

CS-wise I had an X-T5 converted to 840nm by LifePixel. The conversion was fine, but the results from the camera weren’t great. I got quite a lot of banding. It looked like PDAF sensor banding to me, but I can’t say for certain.

I spoke with LifePixel and they took the camera back for free, for testing. I sent them the camera and a couple lenses (it seemed to happen more with some lenses than others).

They tested the camera, asked me for more samples of my own (including samples from my older 740nm X-T20). They were able to reproduce the issue, and after their own testing concluded it was a camera noise pattern.

The difference between the results of the X-T20 and X-T5 were mostly up to the lower SNR of the X-T5 due to the combination of the more-restrictive 820mm filter and the noisier sensor.

I had them convert the camera to 740nm (I paid a discounted rate), and they shipped it back to me. With “more light”, the X-T5’s pattern noise ended up below the noise floor in decent light, and the problem went away.

I’m happy with the CS I got from LifePixel. I was taking a bit of a chance by ‘pioneering’ with the new sensor, and it didn’t work out.

 

[iSequoia]

Thanks everyone. It’s becoming clear that converting to IR isn’t a simple matter of converting the camera and selecting a filter. Still, the results are facinating and I thingk the results will be worth the cash and fresh learnign curve. -John

 

[Chris K]

It’s definitely more involved than just switching a camera to B&W, but it’s a lot of fun. If you have a 24-70/4 and Z7, you’re already 90% of the way there.