Infrared concerns for G2

[Mickey]

Hey everyone. I just bought the Canon A20 a couple of weeks ago for my entry into the digital photo world. I'm having so much fun with it and am quite happy with the results I'm getting, but this new-found enthusiasm is really making me want to upgrade to the G2 for more control, features, etc. Obviously the G2 has many advantages in practically every area (except perhaps weight) but I'm a little disheartened to hear about the poor IR results. I was really looking forward to experimenting with IR but it seems the G2's IR filter causes poor results. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a work-around for this, besides removing the hot mirror, and which filters (if any) might give more favourable results with the G2. I was all rarin' to go ahead and pick up the G2, but I also want a camera that'll allow me to do some IR, and now I'm hesitant.

I don't suppose forcing a longer exposure would help it to produce results closer to the G1?

[ega1]

Mickey wrote:
Hey everyone. I just bought the Canon A20 a couple of weeks ago for my entry into the digital photo world. I'm having so much fun with it and am quite happy with the results I'm getting, but this new-found enthusiasm is really making me want to upgrade to the G2 for more control, features, etc. Obviously the G2 has many advantages in practically every area (except perhaps weight) but I'm a little disheartened to hear about the poor IR results. I was really looking forward to experimenting with IR but it seems the G2's IR filter causes poor results. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a work-around for this, besides removing the hot mirror, and which filters (if any) might give more favourable results with the G2. I was all rarin' to go ahead and pick up the G2, but I also want a camera that'll allow me to do some IR, and now I'm hesitant.

I don't suppose forcing a longer exposure would help it to produce results closer to the G1?

Well, longer/wider exposure is needed with the G2 if you are shooting IR than with the G1. This means that everything will be that much more susceptible to motion blur.

I think if you want to do "some IR" the G2 is probably OK, but not as nice as the G1. If you want to make IR your main photographic endeavor, then you should probably get a G1.

By the way, it's unlikely that you can remove the G2's IR blocking filter. And definitely any attempt to do so will invalidate your warranty.

[Mickey]

Thanks for the reply. After doing a bit more searching on the dpreview.com CanonTalk forum, I have much more faith in IR with the G2, and it's true, I will not be using IR as my main format but rather as occasional experimentation. I have in the mean time decided to trade in the A20 for a G2 (luckily I'm still within the 30 day limit), and I'm sure I'll be more than satisfied with the decision once it comes in!

Regarding the hot mirror removal: I've seen pages that describe how to do this for Nikon digicams so I assumed it could be done with the Canon models as well, but it's pretty scary looking in there and I wouldn't want to void the warranty for that, for sure. I've heard that the IR blocking of the G2 may also be a result of a supplementary lens coating.? A nice feature to see would be an "IR mode" that somehow disables the hot mirror for taking better IR shots, but I don't know enough about how this works and whether or not it would be possible or practical to implement. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

[haddadlf]

Quick question:
What do I need to take IR pics with my G2?
Thnxs.

[ega1]

haddadlf wrote:
Quick question:
What do I need to take IR pics with my G2?
Thnxs.

You need a filter that allows IR through but blocks most visible light. The Hoya R72 works well with the G1/G2 and is not incredibly expensive.

Of course you need something to mount the filter on, such as the lensmate from http://www.lensmateonline.com/. Canon also has an adapter.

And you will need a tripod. Exposures will be long.

You can get the Hoya R72 online from places like bhphotovideo.com. I think lensmateonline.com sells it as well.

[DWerner]

Hi, you may remember my name from some of the "G1 vs G2" IR posts that you’ve read.

I just posted an IR image shot with a D-30 (that also has a hot mirror, and in fact has similar IR characteristics to the G2).

I did the usual things, used an R72 filter, shot the image using a tripod ( 1 sec at f5.6, iso 100). But since there is that central color blooming problem (like the G2) I converted the image, first to black and white and then to Quadtone (with a sepia look that prints out beautifully on an Epson 1270) and lastly converted the image back to an RGB jpg file for web display.

I could have "colorized" it but the quadtone look works for this shot. Besides, the IR “color” often seen on the web (and that seen in my G1 images) is actually false color created by the camera to simulate the IR colors that only it sees anyway, so loosing it shouldn’t hurt that much... ;)

It takes a little more work with a camera with a hot filter, but it can be done…

http://image2.pbase.com/u4/dwerner/large/670993.IR%5fD30%5f28.jpg

A larger version of this D30 image and several G1 IR images can be found in the “Infrared” gallery at http://www.pbase.com/dwerner

Good Luck!