D5000 or D90 or D200 or ?

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I'm looking to purchase a second-hand body and convert it to IR. I'm considering the Nikon D5000 since it is basically a D90 without a few bells and whistles. I was considering the D200 but I think, hardware-wise, it may be too old to compete with the sensors in the D5000 and D90.

I considered the D70s but I think I want more megapixels and don't want to invest into a body with that many years on it.

What are your recommendations?

Thank you!

- Wil

[Joe_Lorenzini]

The D5000 is an excellent choice. I have one, (although not converted to IR) and for use as a specialty camera, I think it's got a lot of advantages. It's very small and travels well, solid battery life, has the articulating LCD which is the #1 reason I bought it (and has proven very useful) and it has a movie mode which I've never seen done with an IR conversion before so I'm already thinking this is a good idea for me too (grin).

My 2 cents.

Joe

[groovyone]

I have an F828 for sale. =)

Video with custom WB would be kinda cool. I have played with the video on the F828 but you can't custom set the WB like you'd be able to on the D5000.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Thanks Joe! I was heavily leaning toward the D5000 so I think I'll continue down that path.

- Wil

[gmarblestone]

THe main issue i have with the d5000 is the lack of build in commander...

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Grant,

I would only be using it for landscape stuff so I don't have any use for a built-in commander.

- Wil

[tc95]

Wil...the second thing about the d5000 is the lack of a focus motor...you can only use AF-S lenses...I played with one and a 70-200 VR and it was a little slow with that lens...

Second...I know the D300 sensor has something built in that does not give you the same images as a D200 converted to IR...Personally I might go down the road of a D80 or D200...I still own a D100...IR-with a Clear Filter...even though it is 6MP...it produces some of the best images....

Now if you look around you can find a body already converted and maybe not have to burden the expense of it....

I have converted several cameras....from Nikon D100/D70/D80...Sony a100/a200...Sigma SD14...and currently I use my Sony a100 and Sigma SD14 for IR shots...

Good Luck and IR is great...

[groovyone]

Tony, didn't you have a couple IR converted Nikons for sale a short while back?

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Thanks Tony!

Pretty much all of my lenses are AF-S... except for the older ones. However, I'll mostly be manually focusing when doing IR shots... and probably using my Zeiss lenses because I really like the contrast... so that focusing issue is a non-issue for me. If I were going to use it as a normal (non-IR) camera then it would most definitely be an issue.

I have considered the D200 and the D300 but the D5000 has a newer sensor and I don't need any of the features of those other two bodies. This is just going to be a "toy" camera for me to play with.

- Wil

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by tc95

Wil...the second thing about the d5000 is the lack of a focus motor...you can only use AF-S lenses...I played with one and a 70-200 VR and it was a little slow with that lens...
Second...I know the D300 sensor has something built in that does not give you the same images as a D200 converted to IR...Personally I might go down the road of a D80 or D200...I still own a D100...IR-with a Clear Filter...even though it is 6MP...it produces some of the best images....

OK - dumb question time (and if the explanation is a derailment, you can say so). I have a D100 IR with a clear filter...(and I love it). I notice that when I use the focus motor, etc., that the images are soft-focused. I assume that you must take into account the focus point for IR is different than for visible. Can the focus system be adjusted to take IR into account and my camera didn't have that happen? (I got it second hand)

Back on topic: So is the lack of a focus motor that big a deal?

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Peter,

I think when you convert a body to IR, they have to adjust or calibrate the focus mechanism. Maybe you didn't have that done possibly?

And for me, the focus motor (on this body) is of zero importance.

- Wil

[tc95]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

Thanks Tony!

Probably using my Zeiss lenses because I really like the contrast...- Wil

I have not had good luck with my ZF lenses...the only one that seems to be ok is the 1.4/50...the 1.4/85 and 2/35 give me major hotspots...unless...you dial it up to about f8+ then you start to remove the hotspots...the older nikon lenses...seem to do very well...you will just have to play with it....I typically use my f4+ lenses outside...at night a 1.4/1.8 seems to work well..

Peter...what Wil said...I would take it to a camera shop to see if they can put in spacers to help the focus...you might have gotten a camera with a smaller filter...so it back or front focuses...my first Clear Conversion was like that...I sent the crystal back and asked for a thicker piece...once in everything was fine...most of the time you have to bump up your f-stop...to compensate...

My Sony IR has a little front focus issue...I just learn to put my focus point about 3 to 5 inches behind what I am trying to shoot....

Sorry for the long reply...

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Tony,

Thanks! See... that just shows you what works in one medium doesn't necessarily translate to another. MJ is a great basketball player but he probably wouldn't be the best football player... even though he's a great athlete.

What's a Clear Conversion?

I was just going to send the D5000 off to LifePixels and have them do the conversion.

- Wil

[tc95]

The clear converstion is for my astro-photgraphy...and my nikkor 800 f5.6...

If your going to have LifePixel do it...are you looking for B&W or the false color looks...??

[tc95]

If your going for the false color look..I would go with an enhanced IR filter or the new Super Enhanced filter...the Standard..gives you great B&W...shots...

I normally like to shot with my Enhanced IR...camera....just because of the colors you can produce...