Choosing a Camera
Which camera best suits my needs?
You first have to decide what are your requirements. To do that make a short list of the main primairy goals like: i want to use my camera for daytime normal photography or strictly for the purpose of IR and do you want to stay flexible in which IR you want to image etc. The second main descission you have to make is do i want to have a SLR or system camera. System camera’s can be used in combination with a full spectrum sensor which gives you much flexibilty. A stated earlier a SLR camera in full spectrum in combination with lens filter blocks the use of the eyepiece viewer (human eye does not record IR, the image sensor of the camera does). Dutch Digital Works will be happy to advise you on which camera best suits your needs.
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The DSLR
DSLRs enables you to shoot very good IR images and even old camera’s can be used for this purpose.
The Pros:
DSLRs give you high flexibilty in use. they offer a wide range of options from the menu’s en great fexibility in which lens you use.
The Cons:
Image quality overall is better, but you need to have an build-in IR filter to enable you to look through the eyepiece viewer to actually see what you are recording. This build-in filter will also maximise the risk of trapping dust between filter and sensor, which in turn you can not remove yourself. Different companies offer IR sensor filters for your camera but this ends up in 70-80% of the cases in some dust spots in your images. Best way to use the SLR camera with IR and still maintain flexibity and dust is full spectrum in combination with the liveview function and lens filters. Big advantage is that you will still be able to use your camera daytime photography.
The Mirrorless Camera
Mirrorless cameras like Sony A series or the Panasonic camera are very good camera’s for the infrared photography. They come in full format 4/3 or other sizes and offer wide range of lenses.
The Pros:
System SLR’s enable you to use the sensor in full spectrum mode and with the use of lens filters take pictures in incredible details. During conversion no other filter is placed in front of the sensor and the risk of dust trapped between sensor and filter is prevented.
The Cons:
The flexibility that you have with lens choices is most of the time limited.
Summary
DSLR | Mirrorless | ||
Autofocus | For IR liveview must be used or use sensor filter. | No | |
Exposure Issues? | Liveview must be used or lens filter | No | |
Noise Performance | Good | Good | |
Reduced True Resolution? | No | No | |
Can use external IR filters easily? | Only in combination with liveview | Yes | |
Color IR performance? | Good to Very Good | Good to Very Good | |
Physical size | Large | Medium | |
Easy dust clean | In combination with sensor filter NO | Full spectrum can be used which limits dust trapping. |