IR conversion for video

Harvey_nikon

Harvey_nikon

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Hi all,

I'm posting this here as I'd like as many people as possible to see it due to the fact it's quite an odd request and I think the more specialised areas might mean it doesn't get answered.

A work mate has asked me to tag along to his paranormal group as a paid professional for photos. It's paid work so won't be turning it down.

Now, they've mentioned video and I know they have a guy that already does this but tbh, it's awful video work, IR cameras are old and **** and it's all put together really badly.

I was wondering how hard it would be to get a new video capable DSLR and convert it to IR and have it run video through it. Obviously I'll need decent IR lights as well but has anyone seen this done? Links to anything online?
 
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Most IR conversions I've seen have been done on older cameras (eg. D70, D100 etc), probably because the cameras are otherwise at the end of their working lives, and because they use CCD sensors which are generally better candidates for IR photography than CMOS. But the down side of this is that the older cameras tend not to have video capabilities. Those older ones that do tend to shoot for very short maximum durations due to sensor heating issues.

Right now, IR photographers and camera manufacturers are pulling in opposite directions. Manufacturers are getting better and better at eliminating the light that IR photographers are chasing. It's a dichotomy that doesn't bode well for your plan to do IR video via DSLR.

This may sound like a bit of a left turn, but I'd consider looking at some car cams that are coming out of China. One that I picked up has no IR filter at all in it, has a 170 degree viewing angle, and shoots pretty darn good 720p H.264 video on a cycled recording. With a 32GB micro SD, it's good to record for a looong time. £25 delivered. Add the cost of an IR lamp, and I don't think you can go wrong.
 
Jayst84 said:
Seems to work just fine. It's just the same sensor as the camera uses for stills after all.

First YouTube video that popped up was this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBJRlU6l2x0

Another one here using an IR torch for a more 'night-vision' effect, which should be right up the ghost hunters' alley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0od3SUISZqM
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll check them out :)

SimonH said:
Most IR conversions I've seen have been done on older cameras (eg. D70, D100 etc), probably because the cameras are otherwise at the end of their working lives, and because they use CCD sensors which are generally better candidates for IR photography than CMOS. But the down side of this is that the older cameras tend not to have video capabilities. Those older ones that do tend to shoot for very short maximum durations due to sensor heating issues.

Right now, IR photographers and camera manufacturers are pulling in opposite directions. Manufacturers are getting better and better at eliminating the light that IR photographers are chasing. It's a dichotomy that doesn't bode well for your plan to do IR video via DSLR.

This may sound like a bit of a left turn, but I'd consider looking at some car cams that are coming out of China. One that I picked up has no IR filter at all in it, has a 170 degree viewing angle, and shoots pretty darn good 720p H.264 video on a cycled recording. With a 32GB micro SD, it's good to record for a looong time. £25 delivered. Add the cost of an IR lamp, and I don't think you can go wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, and no, it doesn't bode well :( Got a link to the camera you purchased?
 
Harvey_nikon said:
Hi all,

I'm posting this here as I'd like as many people as possible to see it due to the fact it's quite an odd request and I think the more specialised areas might mean it doesn't get answered.

A work mate has asked me to tag along to his paranormal group as a paid professional for photos. It's paid work so won't be turning it down.

Now, they've mentioned video and I know they have a guy that already does this but tbh, it's awful video work, IR cameras are old and **** and it's all put together really badly.

I was wondering how hard it would be to get a new video capable DSLR and convert it to IR and have it run video through it. Obviously I'll need decent IR lights as well but has anyone seen this done? Links to anything online?
Click to expand...

I think your best bet would be to go for a m4/3 camera like the lumix g2-3 and get a full spectrum conversion then you'll be able to use it for ir video , ir photography and just change the filter in the front depending on what strength you require you'll also be able to put a Uvir cut filter in the front and it will work as normal . It will also work for Uv photography the great thing about having a m4/3 full spectrum it you have great live view so focusing with an ir filter on the front will be much easier than trying to use a dslr and not being able to see anything through the view finder and not having all the extra weight of a dslr hope this helps if you have any questions please feel free to ask
 
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