Infrared Play Toys

With the "Infrared" season right around the corner in the Niagara Region, We took out a couple of recent additions to the IR toy box for a test drive. I recently sent a Nikon D200 and Nikon D7100 for infrared conversion. Joining my 590nm and 665nm Nikon D200's are another Nikon D200 converted to the 850nm wavelength and a Nikon D7100 converted to 720nm. The recent conversions were done by Kolarivision who provided excellent support and service and I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone considering getting a digital camera converted for dedicate IR service. To say I am a little addicted to infrared imagery would be an understatement!

We visited the Louth Conservation Area in the Niagara Region this am in search of spring wildflowers and while it was a little early for the spring beauties, there was plenty of subject opportunities to test drive the new toys.

The images aren't the most artful, but they do illustrate the basic difference in what is capable from these particular conversions.

My reason for an 850nm conversion was because of my fondness of B&W imagery and to be able to obtain an infrared B&W image directly out of the camera. The hope was to get an image with greater tonal range without having to spend a lot of time in the digital darkroom. There is little to no colour information recorded by the camera sensor with a deep IR conversion. One disadvantage is the exposure required is about 1 to 1-1/2 stops longer as compared to a shorter wavelength conversion. The other difference is that a FAUX Colour image is not possible because of the fact that there is no colour information recorded. The key benefit is a full tonal range capture with very little post processing. If you are a fan of B&W imagery ... this is your ticket to heaven!

The 720nm conversion allows some colour to pass and be recorded to the camera sensor. The great advantage is that there are 3 possible outputs ... an as shot image with some "reds" being recorded, a FAUX Colour image after the customary channel swap and finally a B&W image created from the FAUX Colour or as shot version.

Nikon D200 - 850nm Deep IR Conversion

Nikon D7100 - 720nm IR Conversion - B&W from FAUX Colour

The lens used for both images was the Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8. Images ingested with Ingestamatic, Phase One Capture 1 for RAW processing and finished with Photoshop CC and NIK filters. Thanks to Kolarivision for their channel swap action in creating the FAUX Colour image from the 720nm file.

Did I mention that I can't wait for Infrared season which is just around the corner?

If you are interested in getting started with Infrared photography consider attending one of my field workshops. Plenty of loaner cameras for you to test drive yourself!

I can be contacted at dave.lindey@gmail.com