Fuji's Infrared Camera

[Mike Farley]

Fuji has just announced a new camera based on the X-T1 which claims to be designed for infrared photography, but all is not quite as it seems. According to the specs given by DPReview, the camera is sensitive to light in the wavelengths between 380 - 1000 nm. That takes in everything from ultraviolet, through the visible spectrum and onto near infrared on the other side. That is what I would expect a sensor to be able to record natively and it looks like Fuji has simply removed the UV/IR block filter which ensures only light from the visible spectrum gets through. UV is less of an issue as the coatings on a modern lens usually prevent it reaching the sensor.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/418058 ... hotography

There is nothing wrong with what Fuji has done. The opposite in fact as it takes advantage of the fact mirrorless cameras have both live view and sensor based focussing. This addresses the two main issues when working with light beyond the visible spectrum, seeing what you are doing and focussing lenses which are designed for visible light*. The latter requires an adjustment since the longer IR wavelengths will focus at a different point. That is why some lenses have an IR mark, but sensor based AF can take account of the difference automatically. To get just infrared, filters will have to be placed on the lens to block visible light. Similarly, the camera can be used conventionally if an UV/IR block filter is used. UV only is trickier as this requires both filters to block IR and the visible spectrum and an uncoated lens. Perhaps there is a further announcement to come, but so far Fuji has not indicated whether it will be making available the additional equipment which will be required.

It is possible to have most cameras modified to remove the IR block filter, but that voids the warranty which will not be the case for the Fuji X-T1R. It opens the possibilities of using different filtrations to achieve a variety of effects. That is more difficult with a DSLR since for ease of use that really needs the IR pass filter permanently in place on the sensor and an adjustment to the AF system. Anyone who is thinking about exploring infrared with the Fuji camera** will need to be aware that it does not offer a total solution. Some further investigation and aditional purchases will be necessary to get the best from it.

* Even that is a challenge due to the different wavelengths of blue at one end of the visible spectrum and red at the other. One of the designers tasks is to ensure that every wavelength is focussed at exactly the same point to ensure a sharp image without any aberrations.

** Or any other similarly modified camera.

[davidc]

This did catch my eye but sadly as much as I love fuji, it's not the mirrorless/lens platform I'd want to invest in at this stage. Even though the idea of just this camera + kit lens was appealing, it's a false economy for me personally in the long run.

My current plan is to

* take my 550d to bits and try to fix/convert myself
* when that fails, win a camera in a competition and convert that
* when that fails, wait for Sony to produce an IR camera