Digital IR

[jon.oman]

I understand the camera image, but how was it converted?
Thanks

Jim, If it was one of my images, here is a short description.

Use an in-camera custom white balance for the 720nm IR filter.
Expose, creating a RAW image file.
Load RAW file into Photoshop CC.
In Adobe Camera Raw, load the IR camera profile for the D810.
Make any adjustments you want in ACR.
In Photoshop, duplicate the initial background layer (name it Action).
I then run an action I got from LifePixel that does a lot of magic but is titled 'IR Channel Swap w/ White Foliage'.
Although the above does a bunch of levels, etc. I then do the following.
I add a levels layer and adjust to taste.
I add a brightness/contrast layer and adjust to taste.

That is about it.

The action from LifePixel comes from their free class, that is offered when you convert a camera.

[Peter De Smidt]

I just tried putting a Hoya RM72 filter on a lens on my Nikon Z9. The Z9 has a mode, starlight, that amps up the view through the finder, and it makes it possible to autofocus in extremely low light. I"m told it allows one to focus on a star on a moonless night. Anyway, through the filter the viewfinder did get grainy, but I could see everything clearly. Autofocus worked.....sometimes. Manual focus with peaking worked great. The camera also allows shutter speeds up to 900 seconds. Once the weather gets nicer, it'll be fun to give it a try. I was thinking of getting my D850 converted, but now I'm considering selling it, as I can still get what I paid for it, and putting the money towards some Z lenses.

[jon.oman]

I just tried putting a Hoya RM72 filter on a lens on my Nikon Z9. The Z9 has a mode, starlight, that amps up the view through the finder, and it makes it possible to autofocus in extremely low light. I"m told it allows one to focus on a star on a moonless night. Anyway, through the filter the viewfinder did get grainy, but I could see everything clearly. Autofocus worked.....sometimes. Manual focus with peaking worked great. The camera also allows shutter speeds up to 900 seconds. Once the weather gets nicer, it'll be fun to give it a try. I was thinking of getting my D850 converted, but now I'm considering selling it, as I can still get what I paid for it, and putting the money towards some Z lenses.

Wow! You bought the Z9! You lucky guy! Show us how it works with IR!

[Peter De Smidt]

Wow! You bought the Z9! You lucky guy! Show us how it works with IR!

I am lucky! Everything just came together....It better work out for me, 'cause I won't be buying any other photo gear for a very long time. The weather is really crappy here, though. We just got 2 inches of snow yesterday, and we're more than a month away from leaves on the trees, but soon....

[Ari]

Nice camera, Peter. Use it in good health!
I also have a new camera. An older GFX 50r that I had converted to 720nm.
My first shots with it, taken this morning at my usual testing grounds:



And the B&W conversion

[Peter De Smidt]

Thanks, Ari. That image looks great. Good job on the BW conversion. That should be a really outstanding camera for IR! If I were starting from scratch, I'd be really tempted by the Fuji system. My Ebay moniker is: fujinon.

[Ari]

Thanks, Ari. That image looks great. Good job on the BW conversion. That should be a really outstanding camera for IR! If I were starting from scratch, I'd be really tempted by the Fuji system. My Ebay moniker is: fujinon.

The GFX is certainly worth a hard look, Peter. Lots of pros on the GFX groups decided to sell off their R5 and Z9 cameras to fund a GFX.
I've done away with everything else except 8x10, and it's all the fault of the Fuji.

[Ari]

GFX, 35-70, IR720, ND5.0

[jon.oman]

Ari, some nice images!

[Peter De Smidt]

Great stuff, Ari!

Jere a quick test:


Z9, 60mm, RM72, ISO64, F/8, 1 minute.

In starlight mode, the camera autofocused successfully, although it took about 1 second. Not having to cover the eyepiece is a huge relief. Even with a custom white balance, the image is still very red. Maybe I can fix that. Obviously, one has to learn to live with subject motion.