Just got the GF1 back from Precision (LINK) for the re-work. For the history on this GF1 conversion journey, here is the original post: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13269
So, how did the rework turn out? In a word, I am STOKED!!!
Here is the summary of what was corrected. As it turns out, the dust shaker in the GF1 has added IR block and needed to be removed. Also, it turns out the 665 nm conversion in this camera allows just enough visible light to prevent infinity focus with short focals, like under 16mm. However, if you step up to the 715 nm conversion, then enough additional visible light is trimmed out so all the lenses hit infinity, even the little 7-14 zoom at 7mm! Moreover, at least for my preferences, the 715 conversion generates the perfect balance in a conversion having just enough visible light to generate interesting false-color effects, while maintaing enough pure IR to easily achieve the the typical dramatic, high-contrast B&W result. Finally, this conversion easily allows for creating in-camera WB's that work very well. Oh, and I should mention the camera shows zero signs of being worked on at all, and looks just as new as it did when I sent it to them.
Note also that I have not seen any significant "hot-spotting" with this conversion using the 14-45 kit lens or the 7-14 wide zoom -- another pleasant result!
Here are some example images. First is the "out of camera" as-shot image, using the in-camera created WB and no enhanced adjustments in C1, my preferred raw converter:
Next is the same image, just opened it in Photoshop and adjusted contrast and saturation for a more dramatic out-of-the-camera image:
Here is the same originally processed image with the Red and Blue channels swapped in Photoshop and adjusted for for final contrast:
Next is a quick B&W conversion, also done in Photoshop:
Since that image had limited blue sky, here is a second image with blue sky and green foliage for reference on how it handles those colors. The out of camera colors look similar to the above, just more "color":
Here is the R<>B channel swap false-color:
Late edit, here is the same as above with the sky "normalized" per comments added under the basic swap false-color for easier comparison --- personally I still prefer the straight swap false-color as it seems closer to what I recall IR Ektachrome rendering:
And here is a B&W conversion:
Keep in mind that the above are my first images and I am still learning how to extract the most from them in processing, but I think they certainly show a lot of promise.
In summary, I am really happy with this conversion and the results I am now getting from this revised 715 nm conversion are exactly what I wanted and hoped for, so a big "Thank You!" to Precision Camera!
For more details on Precision Camera's conversions, please visit their website: http://www.precisioncamera.com/infrared-conversion-services.html. IR conversion inquiries should go to their email address at [email protected]. This generates a specific form for the IR customers to distinguish them from the many other cameras that come in through the doors every day for other repairs.
Price for conversions is subject to change, but here is the current pricing structure:
Point & Shoot Camera - $179+$6.95 (S&H)
Compact Hybrid Camera - $249+$6.95(S&H)
DSLR Camera - $299+$6.95 (S&H)
Full-Frame DSLR Camera - $349+$6.95 (S&H)
The GF1 falls under the "compact hybrid" category.
So, how did the rework turn out? In a word, I am STOKED!!!
Here is the summary of what was corrected. As it turns out, the dust shaker in the GF1 has added IR block and needed to be removed. Also, it turns out the 665 nm conversion in this camera allows just enough visible light to prevent infinity focus with short focals, like under 16mm. However, if you step up to the 715 nm conversion, then enough additional visible light is trimmed out so all the lenses hit infinity, even the little 7-14 zoom at 7mm! Moreover, at least for my preferences, the 715 conversion generates the perfect balance in a conversion having just enough visible light to generate interesting false-color effects, while maintaing enough pure IR to easily achieve the the typical dramatic, high-contrast B&W result. Finally, this conversion easily allows for creating in-camera WB's that work very well. Oh, and I should mention the camera shows zero signs of being worked on at all, and looks just as new as it did when I sent it to them.
Note also that I have not seen any significant "hot-spotting" with this conversion using the 14-45 kit lens or the 7-14 wide zoom -- another pleasant result!
Here are some example images. First is the "out of camera" as-shot image, using the in-camera created WB and no enhanced adjustments in C1, my preferred raw converter:
Next is the same image, just opened it in Photoshop and adjusted contrast and saturation for a more dramatic out-of-the-camera image:
Here is the same originally processed image with the Red and Blue channels swapped in Photoshop and adjusted for for final contrast:
Next is a quick B&W conversion, also done in Photoshop:
Since that image had limited blue sky, here is a second image with blue sky and green foliage for reference on how it handles those colors. The out of camera colors look similar to the above, just more "color":
Here is the R<>B channel swap false-color:
Late edit, here is the same as above with the sky "normalized" per comments added under the basic swap false-color for easier comparison --- personally I still prefer the straight swap false-color as it seems closer to what I recall IR Ektachrome rendering:
And here is a B&W conversion:
Keep in mind that the above are my first images and I am still learning how to extract the most from them in processing, but I think they certainly show a lot of promise.
In summary, I am really happy with this conversion and the results I am now getting from this revised 715 nm conversion are exactly what I wanted and hoped for, so a big "Thank You!" to Precision Camera!
For more details on Precision Camera's conversions, please visit their website: http://www.precisioncamera.com/infrared-conversion-services.html. IR conversion inquiries should go to their email address at [email protected]. This generates a specific form for the IR customers to distinguish them from the many other cameras that come in through the doors every day for other repairs.
Price for conversions is subject to change, but here is the current pricing structure:
Point & Shoot Camera - $179+$6.95 (S&H)
Compact Hybrid Camera - $249+$6.95(S&H)
DSLR Camera - $299+$6.95 (S&H)
Full-Frame DSLR Camera - $349+$6.95 (S&H)
The GF1 falls under the "compact hybrid" category.
