NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 09:01:04

Title: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 09:01:04
Well.. I just received my D800 monochrome conversion from MAXMAX.com, the following image was using D65 lighting, scene referred WB, BG38 filter. Using DarkTable software, turning Demosaic off.  Some image leveling and minor contrast adjustment.

Nikon D800 ,Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* f/2 135mm on Tripod
1/8s f/5.6 at 135.0mm iso250
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166740236%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=0f0959eab143038e76df45e983905c2e55c82eac)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: JJChan on December 21, 2017, 10:34:15
Bob
I'm really interested in this having destroyed an old D200 trying to strip the Bayer layer

How long did it take?
How much did it cost?
Any drawbacks on the functioning of the D800? Metering? AF?
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Akira on December 21, 2017, 11:13:14
Monochrome conversion?  How is it possible based on a Bayer sensor?
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Erik Lund on December 21, 2017, 11:17:16
Interesting, looking forward to more images ;)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Akira on December 21, 2017, 11:20:46
Okay, now I've read the corresponding page on Maxmax.

https://maxmax.com/maincamerapage/monochrome-cameras

I didn't know that was ever possible!  :o :o :o
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: John Geerts on December 21, 2017, 11:49:16
Interesting. 

Thanks for the link, Akira.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 11:56:23
another... true 36Mpx now.

Nikon D800 ,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Apo Sonnar T* f2 135mm
1/3s f/8.0 at 135.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fimage%2F166742223%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=47ab3606522c2770b28c400e8f7c15e1b8701637)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 11:59:41
How long did it take?
How much did it cost?
Any drawbacks on the functioning of the D800? Metering? AF?

I didn't attempt this myself at all.. MAXMAX.com as i mentioned in the first post performed the conversion.  D800 functions fine.. i use live view for exposure and take that measurement to perform preset WB to level the channels. Since this is a BG-38 filtered version (replaced the UV/IR cut filter with BG-38 glass) this will pass UV.. and i am wondering why there is a slight increase in the blue channel - except the D800 WB algorithm coefficients are designed for color inputs.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Andrew on December 21, 2017, 12:01:46
So nice collection of single malts....
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 12:05:45
So nice collection of single malts....

thank you.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: paul_k on December 21, 2017, 12:18:17
Maybe I've become spoiled by using Tri-X for (literally) decades as my preferred high ISO BW film because of the deep(er) blacks and higher contrasts compared to other high ISO BW films like Agfapan 400 or Ilford HP4 (and I'm not even talking about the later Kodak TMax and T400CN)

But I think a much more powerful BW conversion of D800 NEFS, with full capture of blacks, whites and gray tone should be possible, even when only using the 'outdated' Nikon NX2.4.6 software

Enclosed image shot with daylight only, NEF processed as stated above in NX2.4.6, converted in B/W with the BW filter option and fined tuned using the b/w color filter options (the old fashioned way i.e. yellow filter for higher contrast, red filter for 'darker' blues and 'lighter' reds, green filter for better grey tones)

Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 12:24:47
so in addition to full monochrome.. there is no bayer CFA layer or microlenses.. there is no need to demosaic and you can realize the full 36 Mpx of the sensor.  these images were incredibly sharp right out of the camera with increased shadow detail... of course, you need a raw processor that will process these images.. DarkTable or AccuRaw Monochrome are two that i have tried.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Anthony on December 21, 2017, 12:31:04
I like a man who knows a fine whisky glass.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 12:41:37
I like a man who knows a fine whisky glass.

thank you.. again.

this image i processed a little lighter.. maybe too much.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 13:46:38
maybe this is better.  i have to get out and take some real images..

Nikon D800 Monochrome Conversion ,Zeiss APO Sonnar T* f/2 135mm
1/3s f/5.6 at 135.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fimage%2F166742630%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=79f124b13138f284543f114a929d76056c133963)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 14:17:54
cropped..

(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166742653%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=74fb3bb8a874f98ab05015503a5fda93ab73d218)


100%

(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166742654%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=43ebc9870e0cd483ff6213f457f9098ac8198ad0)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 15:12:06
the results i posted on the D800 comparison were in error.. the D800 was not as shown previously and was in fact sharper than i posted....  will do a proper comparison soon.


Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Frank Fremerey on December 21, 2017, 18:07:00
#16 converted vs unconverted look worlds apart. thank you for the lead!
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Akira on December 21, 2017, 19:23:40
Bob, the image looks promising.  Are you going to shoot landscapes with some contrast filters for B&W films like the orange or the red ones?

Those filters should reduce the haze effect in the distant scenes dramatically, but cause significant reduction of resolution due to the loss of data of the blue and green channels.   Even a more modest yellow filter does.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: Kuri on December 21, 2017, 19:24:29
Bob, Quite exciting and interesting! This is going to be enough to keep you busy for a while.  :-)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 19:51:26
how's this..

Nikon D800 Monochrome,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/160s f/8.0 at 15.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166743538%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=f77d5869d39d7078cc659f89359b322bca1d7aa9)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 19:52:24
Nikon D800 Monochrome,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/500s f/5.6 at 15.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166743629%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=5c6c206621c128e58c6f99df3141a2f31f5aac89)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 19:53:32
Nikon D800 Monochrome,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/200s f/8.0 at 15.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166743635%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=5b00ce74dc03bee1ba57b3ab3e45091bdf39d06f)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 19:59:11
Nikon D800 Monochrome,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/200s f/8.0 at 15.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fbobfriedman%2Fimage%2F166743534%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=42d44916f9038286ca846f7714db1af5493e8515)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: golunvolo on December 21, 2017, 20:05:46
It looks very good, specially the second one of the series with the trees through the square opening on the right -love it- and the counter tree through the small round opening on the left. Nice balance. The repetitive shadow pattern looks very good from far away from the screen -you made me move  ;D- and the amount of detail looks impressive even here. How does it looks with all the detail at your disposal?
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 21:24:26
I am very impressed with this conversion. The increased in both resolution and shadow detail is incredible. It seems to provide a 3d effect as well.
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 21:33:45
Nikon D800 Monochrome,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/250s f/8.0 at 15.0mm iso100
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fimage%2F166744103%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=f0bbfbf559b24185b1f340cd78be131089d6aa76)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 22:05:06
Nikon D800 Monochrome ,Carl Zeiss ZF2 / ZE / Zx Distagon T* f2.8 15mm
1/200s f/8.0 at 15.0mm iso160
(https://nikongear.net/revival/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fimage%2F166744165%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=04fce9c594de56797dd5c77209492543ecc860ad)
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: David H. Hartman on December 21, 2017, 22:48:20
What is the spectral sensativity of the converted D800? Does it make a good B&W IR camera with approperate filter on the lens?

Dave Hartman
Title: Re: D800 Monochrome Conversion
Post by: bobfriedman on December 21, 2017, 23:44:20
What is the spectral sensativity of the converted D800? Does it make a good B&W IR camera with approperate filter on the lens?
Dave Hartman

i was told by Maxmax that the loss of the micro lenses degrades the IR response. so i chose to put a BG-38 filter on the sensor that blocks IR.