This is a guest post from Alfred Corrodi. To write articles for this site contact me (Andrea) at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
A7r IR photography by Alfred Corrodi
I admit, I am a camera hedonist (sounds better than gear head, I guess). My personal “mission”, besides admiration for craftsmanship and technology, is that I constantly look for the tool which lets me shoot the situation at hand the way I interpret it, there and then.
This is a purely personal, subjective interaction between me and the gear. When using my Leica M’s, for instance, I approach a situation differently from when I use my Medium Format gear (yes, I am a bit “older” so naturally I progressed through MF and still use it much of the time). I am all digital now, 35mm format and MF, have been for the last 10 years. The creative freedom that digital originally brought is now, in my humble opinion, greatly enhanced by the Sony A7.
I am not doing a gear review here. Everything written about the gear I use, at least the stuff written by sensible people, about Leica M and S, Hasselblad H, Nikon D’s and Sony A7 and its near and far siblings, is correct. Nothing to add.
The point I am making here is, that I like creative freedom, and that the first truly high quality (IQ) solution of its kind in the respective segment of “versatility”, the Sony A7(R), has just added to it. That is what I try to express here.
I first bought a couple of A7 and R’s as an all-inclusive “backup” solution experiment, for my Leica M’s (M9 and mostly 240’s) and all the lenses I collected over about 30 years (including Leica R lenses).
But then after a while, loving my Leica Monochrom but craving for an EVF for instance, I took the plunge and had one A7R body converted to infrared only for a try and step towards a better BW solution (*). The infrared conversion is relatively easy to do, that is why we started with it. It is a >830nm IR conversion, so pure IR. Next will be a pure black and white conversion, which usually destroys a couple of sensors to get it right (aka it is a bit expensive …).
Why do it? What about that creative freedom? See for yourselves. Anybody reading this ever shot infrared film? I did. What a pain.
Doing such things with the Sony’s is relatively cheap (mind you, I shoot Leica M and S and Hasselblad H5 … ), gives you phenomenal IQ, comes in a small package to add to my bag, and the purpose of it all, gives me great fun in what Ming Thein may call pushing the shooting envelope, at least in one direction. In short, it adds to creative freedom easily and affordably.
The conversion was done by Dan Llewelyn of LDPnet (www.maxmax.com). Great guy, great job, he does such things a lot and knows his trade. I use the beta version of AccuRaw https://sites.google.com/site/accuraw/ to develop those files (thanks Sandy and sorry for some stupid questions along the way). It lets you fully control the raw process and bypass de-bayering for instance.
As a final remark, after having used the stock A7’s with some native lenses I sold all my Nikon gear (D800E, D4) or retired it to my shelf for display with all the pro gear back to the 60’s F’s. No use anymore for a DSLR between MF and A7’s, and I don’t shoot sports.
And yes, despite the fact that: The A’s menus stink, the shutter vibration on the R is bad enough, battery life is embarassing, firmware upgrade a scary process, raw compression inexcusable, auto ISO lacking and dumb, … but no gear review here …
Sign of the times for DSLRs, perhaps?
Alfred
PS: you need a good live view for IR shooting as IR light focuses on a different plane from visible light and lenses behave a bit differently in the spectrum, too.
For truly remarkable cover of the topic, consult Lloyd Chambers http://diglloyd.com/index-dip.html
(*) and a standard A7 body to no anti aliasing filter “hot rod”, which is pointless btw, as the filter is very weak to begin with
Some more image samples from Alfred Corrodi (Click on it to enlarge).
Specs and Store Links in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.
Specs and Store Links in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.
Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.
0 Responses
removing the IR filter to do astrophotography would be cool, i’d like to see some images from that
Has Dan Llewelyn or anyone else managed to successfully remove the entire filter stack in the A7/r – including the bottom cover-glass that’s bonded to the sensor?
Eliminating thickness and fitting a thin IR absorption filter is the key to reducing field-curvature and astigmatism with Leica lenses on digital.
If you’re keeping the sensor exposed like that, im not sure how long it’ll last.
Yes, my NEX-5N sensor cover was removed by Dan (with input from me) and he went on to remove the Bayer dyes from it (gives magenta colored output). Covers were put back on (including the UV/IR- dust shaker) for sensor protection. While the filter stack thickness when reduced to the minimum will reduce the aberrations, there are limits. Will the cover glass survive the shutter operations, for example. This (sensor cover breakage) is a problem with Leica M8 and even M9.
The Sony cover glass in NEX’ are very thin (~0.6mm).
I’ve been shooting with my converted a7r since last December. It’s fun since I can shoot uv/vis/ir/full spectrum with it:
http://genotypewritings.blogspot.com/2013/12/sony-a7r-full-spectrum-conversion.html
Having used the full frame 645 PhaseOne IQ260 Achromatic which gives nice and proper 60MP grayscale images, unlike the bw-converted cameras, I still didn’t find the whole monochrome digital particularly interesting to have a full time camera for it. With an a7r, most of the time, lenses can’t take advantage of the full 36MPs, so having built in colour filters is a convenience than a compromise in actual usage.
Converting an a7r to full b&w to use with RF lenses might lead to further shading of corners because the microlenses are removed. This is where a proper BW sensor helps because they have the micro lenses.
Still, eager to hear about how the bw conversion goes. Good luck!
I appreciate the useful information you gave me on the UV/IR filter stack! 🙂
No problem! Did you end up converting one?
I was vacillating between the A7R and the A7 but the choice is made for me with the A7S. 🙂 So, when that is available at a reasonable price, I will.
I am more interested in UV captures than IR.
Then a BW conversion should help. If the a7s is made with the same tech as a7r, there should be a naturally high fill factor even before the micro lenses. This should help a lot.
Yes, but cost is also a factor. The Leica MM (unmodified) works quite well for UV and is actually cheaper than a monochrome converted A7/A7x.
Haven’t looked in to people doing UV with the MM. You might also find Alfred Corrordi’s reply to me above interesting.
I do UV (with MM) and appear to be the only one.
That is a very good point – however, since only tele centric RF lenses really work on the A’s I am less concerned. You cannot have it all, or you can wait for the 24MP no built in EvF Leica M240m which I may hold in he hands next week in Berlin, I doubt it though.
I also use an Achromatic …
The shot below is shot with the Leica WATE at 16mm … Sharp to the corners on the A7. I would guess the lens will find many buyers soon!
100% agree that we can’t have it all.
Would be interesting to see how the m240m goes as well.
Good luck!
So leica m 24 1.4 doesnt work well on a7r? Saw a few poor ooc samples on flickr, seemed ok
21 and 24 Lux not bad but judge by yourself – attached two shots, one each straight OOC just now using play memories. Even as a Leica purist I like some gadgets.
Thanks Alfred. very helpful.
Not sure if the pics posted – here again.
Oh and, here is why they cannot be so good
WATE, 24/1.4, 21/1.4 … See the rear element
Nice report Alfred, thank you!
I am really curious about this AccuRAW, the option for full control of tonal range/colors, resolution/artefacts sounds interesting. Did you (or anyone else) ever compared AccuRAW with Capture One? Shortly I switched from Lightroom to Capture One an I am totally excited! It’s only pity that there is no version of AccuRAW for Windows, hope it comes soon – I would like to test it.
Didn’t compare, use both LR and C1 (because of cameras) and Phocus.
I would think that each has its merits. AccuRaw is very good, but you have to know what you are doing a bit more than with the others, and it isn’t a content manager.
Best to convert, output as DNG or TIFF in a folder that is scanned by LR for auto upload. Presto!
Ive seen several a7 and a7rs with the sony brand logo concealed. Ashamed to be using sony? Or just find it too prominent?
I have black painted all my cameras and some lenses (because prominent) and all the straps. Camera makers should pay to advertise on my property. 🙂
Spot on …. Includes Hasselblad and Leica
Besides, it kinda screams “steal me” in some location I go
Makes sense, but I’d think Sony is quite a bit less desirable than Leica and Hassy to camera thiefs? I’m surprised how many people mistake my A7R for a film SLR when I have manual lenses mounted on it!
Vivek, what kind of paint do you use that stays on a metal camera body? (I think it’s anodized magnesium or something?) thanks
The top plate (hump) that sports the SONY logo is plastic. I use Birchwood casey Superblack (flat black), available from amazon, etc.
Few coats make it black.
Those pics look amazing wow. Great work. Great photography
Hi Alfed,
Once you figure out how to take the Bayer filter out of a Sony A7s I would like to avail myself of your advice or services.
Hiya
Dan from Maxmax is working on it. I kinda figure as guineapig. I will send results to this forum ASAP!
It isn’t cheap though, like camera plus about 2 grand
Alfred
Thanks,
I am familiar with Dan at Maxmax. We discussed converting a D800 some time ago. I don’t know if he was ever successful with the D800.
He was – check his website, or that of AccuRaw
Cheers
thanks for your interesting post, Alfred!
Most of it speaks out of my sol (if this an English term)
I sold all my DSLR, got a Leica MM and now NEX and A7R.
If someone is interested in IR, I have a much cheaper solution with NEX-7, with you get for a very good price now.
I got my NEX-7 converted to 720nm last year and enjoy it very much. Focusing is a real problem,as my eyes are not too good any more. Therefor I prefer to use AF e-mount lenses, the camera works great in AF.
You may find my images here at flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dierktopp/sets/72157634690973115/
and more information on it here at Steve Huff:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/09/19/shooting-sony-nex7-modified-for-infrared-by-dierk-topp/
I had a Canon 550D converted to 720nm for a short film production 3 years ago and really can recommend this (not the camera, it’s cheap – but the IR-conversion) to anyone interested in BW or IR photography and moreover filming (because of shutter speed). Also take care of the filter’s specs, since 830nm is cool for BW, but anything lower than 720nm is good for a little remaining color vibrance, too – which I personally like very much.
Here’s the short film I came up with: http://www.unbinilium.com
However I wouldn’t dare to modify my A7… 😉
That is a really great Short Film. A great demo of the wonder of IR Videography.
Love to see it hosted on YouTube also, I’d add it to my Favorites Playlist.
Thanks for sharing, absolutely awesome images!
Thank you Luke
Btw – all shot with Leica glass, 35mm and above. NY buildings mostly shot with the APO Telyt 180/3.4 wide open. Outstanding lens for long distances and wide open. Cheap too … Get one!
Alfred
Or you can buy a Sigma DSLR, and simply remove the user-removable dust filter to start shooting IR, then snap it back into place when you want to go back to color.
And you get the same great B&W results, since there’s no CFA to get in the way to start with…