Sony A7R and Infrared Photography

FE24-70 f/4 ZA OSS @24mm

f/11 1/160 ISO 160 (Handheld)

 

The A7r has been returned from Life Pixel where it underwent a conversion from capturing 36.4-megapixel color to capturing 36.4megapixel color infrared using a 665nm infrared filter.  This is as close to capturing medium format size infrared without actually using a medium format camera or digital back. 

 

FE24-70 f/4 ZA OSS @24mm

f/11 1/160 ISO 160 (Handheld)

 

While I've all but welded the Zeiss Touit 12mm on the older NEX-7 for IR work I'm uncertain which focal length I want to use on the 7r.  Luckily we have 2-of the new full-frame Sony/Zeiss lenses; 55mm, and the 24-70mm and tested both.  I also have the Rokinon 14mm lenses and an adaptor to use medium format lenses and will continue to test and supply samples as I progress.

 

I decided to test the way I normally shoot IR, handheld. 

 

 

The camera has a custom white balance from Life Pixel and I shot using the lowest ISO I could get away with.  I kept the f/stop and shutter speed the same.  Each sample shows the image after slight processing to bring out the colors; no other processing has been done.  Once again I'd like to thank and recommend Life Pixel for their conversion and doing a great job.

There are 9 images included; all but 2-shot using the 665nm camera filter and custom white balance.  I've included 2-images shot with a 830nm lens filter which were captured handheld.  This is a very good example for the need of using a proper custom white balance.  I was in a rush to try the filter and used the custom white balance I had set for the 665nm filter.  Shortly afterwards I created a custom white balance for the 830nm and shot the scene again.

 

 

Note: No processing was done with the 2-830nm images; these are what they look like right from the camera.

 

I have a Lightning Trigger on order and just as soon as it gets here and we begin our monsoon season I plan on attempting to capture lightning using an infrared camera so stay tuned.

Don