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Vivek
Guest
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Vivek
Guest
Sparrow dreams.
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on FlickrSony A7rII(m), Tamron adaptall 200/3.5, UV/IR cut filter
Vivek and others, I am intrigued by the idea of a dedicated monochrome camera, now that the Sony platform has matured so well. I love B&W prints and it seems that this process definitely brings out the best the Sony sensors have to offer.
I spoke to Daniel yesterday and discussed some options. I am trying to decide what would be the best approach for me.
At present I have the Rx1r2 and the A7r3 (my a9 is only used for wildlife and action). Clearly, the latter is more useful to me as my main landscape camera and I am loathe to convert it for then I would have to use my a9 for landscape and other work with a resultant lower resolution. I could have the Rx1r2 converted but that is my main travel camera for 'casual' use.
So my questions are:
1. Granted the Rx1r2 has a fixed lens, but if I am satisfied with that, is there any difference in the final image quality compared to the A7rX?
2. If I bought a used a7rX and converted it (assuming I am willing to spend that extra money), how problematic is the IR filter issue with the different lenses - filter size and all that.
3. My understanding is that the best approach is to have a 'full' conversion done, i.e. full spectrum so the camera then becomes capable of IR photography if desired, and one can simply put on a specific frequency IR filter on the lens as needed is that a good idea?
4. Given that the camera loses its PDAF capability, have you had major problems with focusing using contrast or manual focus?
5. If cost were not an issue, would you suggest converting an A7rX camera (I have most of the lenses in the system) or limit it to the Rx1r2? The former creates a more bulky set up but the lenses are already there and gives you greater flexibility.
6. Finally, for this situation, is there a big difference to choose between the a7r2 and a7r3 given that the PDAF is no longer in play?
Thanks in advance.
I spoke to Daniel yesterday and discussed some options. I am trying to decide what would be the best approach for me.
At present I have the Rx1r2 and the A7r3 (my a9 is only used for wildlife and action). Clearly, the latter is more useful to me as my main landscape camera and I am loathe to convert it for then I would have to use my a9 for landscape and other work with a resultant lower resolution. I could have the Rx1r2 converted but that is my main travel camera for 'casual' use.
So my questions are:
1. Granted the Rx1r2 has a fixed lens, but if I am satisfied with that, is there any difference in the final image quality compared to the A7rX?
2. If I bought a used a7rX and converted it (assuming I am willing to spend that extra money), how problematic is the IR filter issue with the different lenses - filter size and all that.
3. My understanding is that the best approach is to have a 'full' conversion done, i.e. full spectrum so the camera then becomes capable of IR photography if desired, and one can simply put on a specific frequency IR filter on the lens as needed is that a good idea?
4. Given that the camera loses its PDAF capability, have you had major problems with focusing using contrast or manual focus?
5. If cost were not an issue, would you suggest converting an A7rX camera (I have most of the lenses in the system) or limit it to the Rx1r2? The former creates a more bulky set up but the lenses are already there and gives you greater flexibility.
6. Finally, for this situation, is there a big difference to choose between the a7r2 and a7r3 given that the PDAF is no longer in play?
Thanks in advance.
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Vivek
Guest
Hi Pradeep,
A monochrome converted “full spectrum” is best suited for near Uv and visible captures. You actually lose a bit of IR sensitivity when you lose the microlenses and the Bayer dyes.
Unless you do a lot of street photography, RX1/RX1R II conversion can be ruled out.
Given your plethora of system lenses, I would suggest an A7rII for conversion. Yes, you lose the PDAF, so A7rIII is not going to do much. Although you may want to have the same battery for all your cameras.
Filters for a full spectrum camera: the clip filters that mount inside a camera have their limits. Your 12-24, for example, will not play well with it. Your long lenses also might have vignetting issues. Anything other than ultrawides and super teles would be OK. OTOH, you may as well choose to keep the original UV/IR cut filter of an A7rII/III. Gary’s A7(m) is done this way. In such a case, you can use all your lenses without any worry about vignetting although only in the visible light spectrum.
Here is where a “full spectrum” RX1/RX1R II has an advantage. 49mm filters.
In my case, money was a big factor. My RX1 was bought as a fixer upper and I fixed it before I sent it off to Daniel for the monochrome conversion. He did a fabulous job. These are trickier than the A7x system cameras.
A monochrome converted “full spectrum” is best suited for near Uv and visible captures. You actually lose a bit of IR sensitivity when you lose the microlenses and the Bayer dyes.
Unless you do a lot of street photography, RX1/RX1R II conversion can be ruled out.
Given your plethora of system lenses, I would suggest an A7rII for conversion. Yes, you lose the PDAF, so A7rIII is not going to do much. Although you may want to have the same battery for all your cameras.
Filters for a full spectrum camera: the clip filters that mount inside a camera have their limits. Your 12-24, for example, will not play well with it. Your long lenses also might have vignetting issues. Anything other than ultrawides and super teles would be OK. OTOH, you may as well choose to keep the original UV/IR cut filter of an A7rII/III. Gary’s A7(m) is done this way. In such a case, you can use all your lenses without any worry about vignetting although only in the visible light spectrum.
Here is where a “full spectrum” RX1/RX1R II has an advantage. 49mm filters.
In my case, money was a big factor. My RX1 was bought as a fixer upper and I fixed it before I sent it off to Daniel for the monochrome conversion. He did a fabulous job. These are trickier than the A7x system cameras.
Vivek, thanks for a quick reply. I've been reading on FM about this topic as well and there is a lot to learn. It seems to me that the conversion does make a difference to the final image. Your point about keeping the same battery for all (most) of my cameras is very valid. Since I do very little street photography, it may be that I should have the A7r3 converted and not the Rx.
I should probably have the 'full spectrum' conversion and use additional filters either inside the body or on the lens outside. Going this far, why not have the additional functionality of shooting IR - I quite like some of the wildlife photographs I've seen taken this way. I will of course need to find the filters to go with the lenses - an additional expense and more stuff to carry around! But nothing comes cheap or easy in life.
I should probably have the 'full spectrum' conversion and use additional filters either inside the body or on the lens outside. Going this far, why not have the additional functionality of shooting IR - I quite like some of the wildlife photographs I've seen taken this way. I will of course need to find the filters to go with the lenses - an additional expense and more stuff to carry around! But nothing comes cheap or easy in life.
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Vivek
Guest
Pro shoots with flash bounced off the sky.
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on FlickrSony RX1(m), Rollei IR filter, Infrared, Amsterdam
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Vivek
Guest
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Vivek
Guest
You have a comprehensive list of debayering service providers here:
https://www.fastrawviewer.com/Monochrome2DNG
Alternately, you could do your own at your own risk.
See: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/166334-debayering-a-dslrs-bayer-matrix/
https://www.fastrawviewer.com/Monochrome2DNG
Alternately, you could do your own at your own risk.
See: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/166334-debayering-a-dslrs-bayer-matrix/
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Vivek
Guest
Read the first link, again. It is a mini review on the state of the debayered sensors including all the service providers available. Ofcourse, it is about a RAW converter.
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Vivek
Guest
I had a chance to spend a few days in Prague, Czech Republic. The only camera I took with me worked out just great. 
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on FlickrSony RX1(m), UV/IR cut filter, Prague
scho
Well-known member
Curious. Did he explain why he couldn't do your a7r? He converted my a7r a few months ago.
JoelM
Well-known member
Daniel Morrison at Monochrome imaging systems does the conversions. I was referring to Daniel Malkin at Life Pixel. He does not do the conversion.
Daniel Morrison at Monochrome will be doing my a7r (m) conversion when he returns from his holiday.
I hope that this clears this up. I had my Daniels poorly defined or mistaken. I apologize if this caused anyone any confusion. I will email Daniel (monochrome) and let him know that it is fully sorted.
Thanks,
Joel
Daniel Morrison at Monochrome will be doing my a7r (m) conversion when he returns from his holiday.
I hope that this clears this up. I had my Daniels poorly defined or mistaken. I apologize if this caused anyone any confusion. I will email Daniel (monochrome) and let him know that it is fully sorted.
Thanks,
Joel
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Vivek
Guest
Jewish quarters, Prague, Infrared.
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on Flickr
Untitled by Vivek Iyer, on FlickrSony RX1(m), 850nm filter, Infrared, Prague, Czech Republic
I emailed Daniel Morrison about my pending A7r3 conversion just to make sure and he confirmed that he is continuing to do all the conversions on the A7r series as before.