In this case my earlier IR cut mod to my old Konica Minolta 7D is now working again. After cleaning up my workspace downstairs I moved most of my Astro bits down and got a fresh go at the KM 7D which worked for a few days last time then stopped. I knew I'd cut off a wire that 'earthed' the sensor to the frame although I assumed it would be just a safety measure rather than critical. Replaced that, sorted out a secondary plug issue and bingo, we have IR, lots of it !!
In addition to that I investigated a cold finger possibility. When you remove the plastic back case you next have to remove an internal stainless steel plate that covers the entire back and the sensor and mechanically protects it. It didn't really seem necessary so I left it off. Now I have heaps of room to slide a quite large copper plate in between the rear case and the sensor. and I can dremel off quite a bit of plastic on the left rear so it would be an almost flat plate and if I design and get it right with plenty of points to secure the plate internally. I could also incorporate and use the existing stainless back plate. Then I'd just have to solve the dewing\icing problem but we have some solutions for that now
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Excellent ! I'm going to do some imaging with it as is for a wee while first and figure out the IR focussing issue and source some suitable copper.
The 'Phoenix' arises ...
