CCC Forum

It is quite likely that I will upgrade from my Panasonic G3 at some point during this year. I would like to have better high ISO performance and the previously reported issue of indavertent pressing of the rear buttons is becoming wearisome. I am hoping that more recent designs are beter in that respect.

That leaves the question of what to do with the G3. It is not worth much secondhand, so I have been thinking about having it converted to infrared. That has opened up an intriguing possibility of replacing the infrared blocking filter and replacing it with a clear one, which would allow the camera to record in both the visible and infrared sections of the spectrum. With a DSLR, the camera has to be modified for infrared only since the focussing has to be adjusted since infrared focuses at a different point than visible light due to differences in their wavelengths.

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras typically use different forms of autofocus. DSLRs have phase detect which is quick, but involves the use of a separate component within the camera and can only operate while the mirror is in its down position. Mirrorless cameras have contrast detect, which is slower but more accurate and operates using data taken directly from the sensor. This means that the infrared focus shift is no longer an issue as the camera automatically compensates. Instead of having a fixed filter in front of the sensor, a filter can be placed on the lens instead and can be easily changed to produce different effects. Use of a UV/IR filter would even allow the camera to function normally.

This opens up many different possibilities and I am seriously considering having my G3 converted to allow this.

How much will it cost? And without meaning to (potentially) sound like your wife, "do you really need another IR camera when you already have one?" (darling)

davidc wrote:How much will it cost? And without meaning to (potentially) sound like your wife, "do you really need another IR camera when you already have one?" (darling)

Oh, David, I did not realise that you cared.

Getting the practicalities out of the way, the cost is £250 + £10 delivery. If I go ahead, I will use Protech in Uckfield as the cost is basically the same as ACS in Norfolk, but Protech is not registered for VAT. I spoke to Kelvin who does the work and he sounds very experienced. The company is also one of two in this country which is regularly mentioned for carrying out conversions, so I have no concerns about the quality of the work.

The benefit of a full spectrum conversion is that I would not be limited to whatever filter I chose to have fitted inside the camera. While 720 nm is a good all rounder, different effects can be had with other filters. For example, 590 nm and 665 nm give some interesting false colour effects which I would like to try out. There are other filters which I can obtain, and not just for IR - UV for example, so I gain much more versatility than I have with my current DSLR setup. A slight disadvantage to having a full spectrum conversion is having to attach and remove filters from the lens, which could slow things down a bit, but that is a small consideration compared to having the ability to switch around easily.

The Protech website has some useful information about the effects of different strengths of IR filters.

http://www.protechrepairs.co.uk/infrare ... rsion.html