Monday, November 24, 2014

Using a Sony FE 16-35 on a Sony A7r

f/8 1/400 ISO 1600
f/8 1/400 ISO 640
 
I enjoy pushing boundaries which is just one reason I like to capture in the infrared spectrum.  I'm currently on my 3rd converted camera having begun with a Canon 1DsII then a Sony NEX7 both converted to capture in the 665nm range.  The current camera is a Sony A7r which I had converted to capture 665nm and later re-converted to capture full spectrum.
 
The first thing I've learned in capturing IR is that not all lenses play well with some producing a hot spot (normally found in the center of the image).  I quickly found that it didn't matter the manufacture or the cost of the lens, if it was going to give me a hot spot.  I've had an expensive lens produce a hot shot while a cheaper on didn't, then again I was surprised when it happened in reverse.  There's several listing of lenses that produce hot spots just do a web search to find them.  This is the most terrifying aspect for me when ordering a new lens and so far with the 7r I've been very lucky.  I have now tried several lenses, Sony FE 70-200, FE 55, FE35, FE24-70, FE16-35 and the super fast Mitakon Speedmaster II 50mm f/0.95 and all perform well.
 
f/8 1/640 ISO 1000

f/8 1/640 ISO 2000
 
The images included here were all captured using the Sony A7r converted to full spectrum with a 830nm filter attached to the new Sony FE 16-35mm lens.  All the samples were captured at 16mm handheld with the ISO set to "Auto".
 
f/10 1/640 ISO 2500

f/10 1/640 ISO 2500
 
The files were opened in Capture One Pro where a lens correction was applied prior to correcting the white balance.  Minor processing was also done on a case by case basis before saving as a Tiff and sent to Photoshop CC.  Once in PS the files were opened where I ran an automated infrared adjustment as well as using the shake reduction filter (I do this on any handheld file) then resized and saved as a jpeg.  No other processing was performed likewise no cropping was done.
 
f/10 1/640 ISO 1000

f/10 1/640 ISO 2500
 
My instant gut reaction as to how the new Sony FE16-35 performs with a infrared converted camera is favorable.  I've now tested the lens in full spectrum and 830nm and can find no fault.  I plan on testing in 590 and 720 shortly and will post those results as well.

Once again thanks for visiting.
 
Don

 
 
 
 


 

 

 


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