nikon d80 IR project

[golunvolo]

Hello.

 I just bought a nikon d80 with 156 shutter count in order to change the internal filter. The camera itself was very cheap -90€- even thou is almost new. The plan is to make the conversion as cheap as possible. So far I´m going to buy a filter "ir enhanced" from lifepixel and install it myself.

   Before I get to it and if you have a better idea, I´m open go suggestions 

[brent_e]

I just did a D80 conversion with a Hoya R72.  It's pretty straightforward.  2 notes of caution: get the right driver (JIS) for the screws as I gnarled one of the heads on mine, and make sure you seat the ribbon wire clips properly.  When I put mine back together it would shoot fine but no images were being written as the main ribbon wasn't making a connection. 

Cheaper than a lifepixel filter is a normal lens filter (R72 or equivalent to what you want)....but it's difficult to cut it.  You need to buy a glass cutter, some 400 grit wet sandpaper, and spend about an hour with it.  I just bough a lifepixel for the D200 I'm converting as it will save me a bunch of time and be the right thickness.

good luck! 
 

[Olivier]

Hi Paco

Don't worry, the IR surgery on a D80 is easy. Just follow the indications on Lifepixel's site and you should be fine.
Things you should pay attention to:
1. if the camera doesn't work when you assemble it, it is most likely a flat & flexible connector that was not properly inserted.
2. Dust is your enemy! How many times did I have to start over?
3. Make sure you have the appropriate screw driver. You don't want to destry the scrw head and yet be unable to remove it...
4. Be quiet, work in a well lit place, no wine before you start...
Of course, it all happened to me!

Olivier

Edit: brent_e said it all and very well (I started typing my message long before I hit the post button).

[brent_e]

I disagree about the wine portion, YMMV.

[Erik Lund]

Flat cables are so difficult to deal with, there are so many different designs of the locking mechanism and they are fragile as well.
Either buy a set  of tools for them or make your own,,,

[Olivier]

I disagree about the wine portion, YMMV.

[golunvolo]

Thanks you for all your advise. I think I will go the already cut filter route with the proper screwdriver.
  This may take some time since I still have to order it. Will keep you posted and will take some pictures of the process once it happens. If you have any more advise, please, don´t hesitate.



 

[Akira]

Paco, you may already know this, but here is a tutorial for converting D80 on Life Pixel website:

https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/nikon-d80-ir

Apparently you would also need a star-shaped screw driver (sorry I don't know the correct term.  It is not Torks) to get to the sensor.

Wish you a good luck and am looking for the IR images in your style.

[Akira]

Also, you should keep in mind that the D80 doesn't offer live view, which means that you have to compensate for the focus shift after you focus in visible light.  The amount of the compensation will vary according to the IR filter you use (or actually the wavelength you are in).  A denser the filter will require more amount of the compensation.

[Jakov Minić]

Paco, you should use the IR on your dancers!
It will make the skin silky smooth...

[stenrasmussen]

If you want a cheap and easy to cut filter, Edmund Optics sell a very effective "resin" filter in the size of 50x50mm. It is also thinner than most glass filters. The drawback is it's more prone to scratches from cleaning.

[golunvolo]

Akira, I have seeing that information in lifepixel, thanks! I have been thinking about doing this for some time now. A camera with liveview will be perfect...was looking at a d300 but couldn´t resist this deal. Also the fact that it looks "easier" to transform. Will have to learn again to focus I guess. Will see

  Jakov, thats the plan, to revisit old and new subjects. Man, a whole new world, how can anyone resist!
  That looks like a weird you glowing

   Sten, is this the one you are talking about? 
https://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/optical-filters/longpass-edge-filters/optical-cast-infrared-ir-longpass-filters/1918/#f=categories_s|*C41I*,productId_i|1918,28105_s|50.8%20x%2050.8
 

[stenrasmussen]

Yep, that's the one.
I have cut a few Hoya and B&W filters and they are very prone to chipping. Of course, a readily cut one from Lifepixel is easier but more expensive.

[richardHaw]

just go lifepixel and save yourself the trouble


i had no choice because IR filters are banned here in Japan because you can use it to shoot through clothes
which one will let you do that? please let me know

[Jakov Minić]

just go lifepixel and save yourself the trouble


i had no choice because IR filters are banned here in Japan because you can use it to shoot through clothes
which one will let you do that? please let me know

I need to go to Japan and shoot through clothes