So talk to me about IR mods on DSLR's

[Davros]

Is it a case of removing the low pass filter in front of the sensor and thats it? Can the camera still be used for daylight stuff with some form of screw in filter?

[Merlin66]

Mick,
No not really....
If you remove the colour correcting filter you get better response in the red (ie Ha) and can do a Custom Whitr Banalnce in the camera to "correct"
If you want to go further into the IR then you also need to remove the front dust shake/ anti-alias filter.
There's no easy way of correctng the extended response...there are some $$$$ special filters but not a great choice. I suppose you could add back a UV-IR cut filter then apply a CWB.......

[technofetishism]

its easy to correct the extended responce, both astronomik and maxmax sell the filters needed.

the IR is usually blocked with the same filter that does the color correction, on newer cameras, the low pass and the CC/IRblock are different pieces of glass, older ones, tend to be bonded.

[Davros]

So if i was looking at a Canon 5D with possible damage to the low pass filter it would still be useful/modifiable if the price was OK.

[technofetishism]

yeah, you could pop out the lowpass and the IR filter at the same time, replace it with either a UV/IR cut or a full spectrum window, then clip in a astronomik OWB eos filter.


only risk you really pull with the removal of the lowpass filter is an increased chance of moire patterns.

[Davros]

Rightio, thank you i will keep an eye on it.

[technofetishism]

for examples of whats involved in the mod

http://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/canon-5d
http://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/canon-5d-mk2-ir

sometihng to think about none the less.

[Merlin66]

The attached pdf shows the results of a recent test on the front filter element....

[Davros]

Thanks guys, well i bought it. 5D for $290 so i will assess it when it gets here and come back and discuss my options.