Modding of Nikon Coolpix 995

[whacker]

Velectron,

I see that you're also looking for a Sony DSC F-717, right? What happen to your F-707? Is the F-717 better and if yes, would you share in what way better? Is it easier to modify the Sony DSC F717/707?

 

[tomcat]

Can also buy the appropriate hot mirror replacement for Coolpix 995 from Life Pixel if you want to do the mod yourself.

http://www.lifepixel.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2

 

[Velectron]

Velectron,

I see that you're also looking for a Sony DSC F-717, right? What happen to your F-707? Is the F-717 better and if yes, would you share in what way better? Is it easier to modify the Sony DSC F717/707?

Hi Whacker,

You might find a 28 mm R72...which would be cheaper than the bigger ones. Can try asking around the shops.

I still have my F707, and its working fine. I wanted to get the F717 because of its live histogram. F707/F717 cameras are limited to 1/60 s in nightshot mode, so a live histogram will be very useful to judge if my IR photo is correctly exposed. The 707 lacked this feature so I have to rely on the LCD to make judgements - which is not very accurate sometimes.

There are detailed documentations available on how to mod the 707/717. Sony cameras are easy to disassemble and re-assemble (done it to my 707 a few times liao) but so far, I have not tried to remove the hot mirror. I have gotten myself a piece of microscope slide of the right thickness, now waiting to cut to correct size before I mod my camera.

You can get a glass cutter at those hardware shops. Got different quality ones depending on what is the tip material. Diamond is best but expensive. Cheaper ones use tungsten carbide or some other alloy I think.

Let me get home and try to find that link for you.

 

[whacker]

Can also buy the appropriate hot mirror replacement for Coolpix 995 from Life Pixel if you want to do the mod yourself.

http://www.lifepixel.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2

Yes, I know but S$150 for a small piece of glass? I might as well send them my camera if I can pay this amount. I'm looking to minimise the cost and that's why trying out DIY.

Thanks for the information ,though.

 

[whacker]

Hi Whacker,

You might find a 28 mm R72...which would be cheaper than the bigger ones. Can try asking around the shops.

I still have my F707, and its working fine. I wanted to get the F717 because of its live histogram. F707/F717 cameras are limited to 1/60 s in nightshot mode, so a live histogram will be very useful to judge if my IR photo is correctly exposed. The 707 lacked this feature so I have to rely on the LCD to make judgements - which is not very accurate sometimes.

There are detailed documentations available on how to mod the 707/717. Sony cameras are easy to disassemble and re-assemble (done it to my 707 a few times liao) but so far, I have not tried to remove the hot mirror. I have gotten myself a piece of microscope slide of the right thickness, now waiting to cut to correct size before I mod my camera.

You can get a glass cutter at those hardware shops. Got different quality ones depending on what is the tip material. Diamond is best but expensive. Cheaper ones use tungsten carbide or some other alloy I think.

Let me get home and try to find that link for you.

I will try asking around shops for 28mm R72, though I think it will be super duper rare.

Hmm....Sony easy to disassemble and re-assemble?? Maybe I should get a 2nd piece of F707/F717....

Are you going to attempt to replace the hot mirror on your camera?

I do have a glass cutter (Japan made) from a hardware store but dunno what tip. Should be okay quality lah but haven't cut any glass yet. Where can I get microscope slides?

Thanks in advance for the link. I will look forward to it tonight, if I have time to browse around. Any DIY tips or links will be very much appreciated. So, maybe you can send me DIY related to Coolpix 995 or general stuffs. Send me F707/F717 too, who knows I might join you modding the camera together...hehe...

Thanks.

 

[Velectron]

I will try asking around shops for 28mm R72, though I think it will be super duper rare.

Hmm....Sony easy to disassemble and re-assemble?? Maybe I should get a 2nd piece of F707/F717....

Are you going to attempt to replace the hot mirror on your camera?

I do have a glass cutter (Japan made) from a hardware store but dunno what tip. Should be okay quality lah but haven't cut any glass yet. Where can I get microscope slides?

Thanks in advance for the link. I will look forward to it tonight, if I have time to browse around. Any DIY tips or links will be very much appreciated. So, maybe you can send me DIY related to Coolpix 995 or general stuffs. Send me F707/F717 too, who knows I might join you modding the camera together...hehe...

Thanks.

You can try to ask shops to order for you. Try and ask for an e-quote from Cathay Photos, they might be able to help.

Have to find the hot-mirror thickness first before getting the replacement glass. Microscope slides come in different thickness one. I am lucky to find the right thickness in the lab. I can try and look around if I have the glass of right thickness for your 995.

Maybe you want to practise glass-cutting on some dummy piece of glass first? Then when you do the actual one you will be more confident and sure .

 

[deadpixel]

Hi Deadpixel,

Thank you for the link. It's the exact link that I found on the web. Just that I'm not too certain on the 'hot mirror' part. Does the thickness of the glass or R72 matters?

So you recommend that I cut a R72. Can you explain what tools I should use to cut and probably how to do it and any precautions to take? This means I'll have to invest on a R72 filter, right?

Thanks.

Whacker,

Without actually examining the CP995 myself, I would be acting like KRW if I gave you any absolute advise. However, I will share with you as best I can about the pitfalls I encountered when using various filters:

• Cokin P007 - avoid at all cost as this plastic filter has tiny air bubbles embedded in to that will appear on your photos
• ELP - thinner than the R72 but allows too much of the visible light spectrum in
• Hoya R72 - Good IR response range but thick, may affect the shutter in some cameras
• B+W 0092 - Good IR response range, thinner than R72 and images quite similar to Cokin P007 but hard to get
• LifePixel filter - Good IR response range and all are custom cut and designed to replace the hotmirrors of various cameras

If you're asking for my recommendation, I would say to just order the LifePixel filter, you get an excellent filter that's custom made for you, delivered to your doorstep for just under SG$200. This $200 will also buy you peace of mind, knowing that the filter will fit and work without issues. Although I first modified my camera with a R72 that I cut, I've since switched to the LifePixel filter.

If you really need to save, then what you will need are these:

1. 52mm Hoya R72 filter (you can use a smaller one but it's easier to work with a slightly larger one) ($35-$40)
2. Carbide Wheel Glass Cutter ($7)
3. Singer brand all purpose oil ($1)
4. A metal ruler (must be metal) ($4)
5. several sheets of clean white paper (take from school/office)
6. A small screwdriver (borrow or $4 for a set of 5)
7. Eclipse Lens Cleaning fluid ($18)
8. PecPads lens cleaning fabric ($25 for a pack of 100)
9. 2 sheets each waterproof silicon carbide sandpaper - Grade 80 and 800 ($4)
10. Fine (0.3mm) waterproof marker ($1)
11. Detergent (borrow from mum)
12. Water (free but must be clean)
13. Spare glass sheets to practice (can be free if you look around)

Total comes to about $104

This is the procedure for cutting the filter:

1. Remove the ring-mount from the R72 by gently prying out the retaining ring with the help of the small screwdriver
2. Clean the filter carefully, ensuring that there is no dirt on it that may cause you to scratch it.
3. Draw the outline of the hotmirror on the filter
4. Cut a clean piece of paper into strips (about 8) roughly the width of the ruler
5. Oil the carbide wheel on the cutter
6. Put a piece of paper strip on the filter, along one of the lines to be cut and put the ruler on top of it
7. Squirt the oil along the line to be cut (be generous)
8. Take a deep breath and cut the filter (see note below)
9. Holding the filter in your hands, gently snap it along the scored line
10. Wash the filter with water and detergent
11. Repeat steps 5-10 for the remainin three sides
12. The cut replacement filter will be larger than the hotmirror, use the sandpaper to "grind" it down to size
13. Wet the rough (grade 80) sandpaper, "grind" each side until it is of the correct size
14. Wet the fine (grade 800) sandpaper and smoothen each side
15. Wash again with water and detergent
16. Do a final cleaning with Eclipse and Pecpads

Note
When cutting the filter, use a strong (not hard), steady downward pressure (stand up to do this). When done correctly, you will hear a sound like that of tearing cloth. DO NOT under and circumstances go over the cut line again!!!

Be very watchful for tiny glass fragments as these (if pressed hard enough) can scratch the filter...the tiniest scratch will look like a bolt of lightning on your photos.

These are the steps and things to watch out for when cutting your own filter...seriously, do consider getting the LifePixel filter to save yourself all the nail biting. :bsmilie:

Cheers,
Matt

 

[whacker]

Whacker,

Without actually examining the CP995 myself, I would be acting like KRW if I gave you any absolute advise. However, I will share with you as best I can about the pitfalls I encountered when using various filters:

• Cokin P007 - avoid at all cost as this plastic filter has tiny air bubbles embedded in to that will appear on your photos
• ELP - thinner than the R72 but allows too much of the visible light spectrum in
• Hoya R72 - Good IR response range but thick, may affect the shutter in some cameras
• B+W 0092 - Good IR response range, thinner than R72 and images quite similar to Cokin P007 but hard to get
• LifePixel filter - Good IR response range and all are custom cut and designed to replace the hotmirrors of various cameras

If you're asking for my recommendation, I would say to just order the LifePixel filter, you get an excellent filter that's custom made for you, delivered to your doorstep for just under SG$200. This $200 will also buy you peace of mind, knowing that the filter will fit and work without issues. Although I first modified my camera with a R72 that I cut, I've since switched to the LifePixel filter.

If you really need to save, then what you will need are these:

1. 52mm Hoya R72 filter (you can use a smaller one but it's easier to work with a slightly larger one) ($35-$40)
2. Carbide Wheel Glass Cutter ($7)
3. Singer brand all purpose oil ($1)
4. A metal ruler (must be metal) ($4)
5. several sheets of clean white paper (take from school/office)
6. A small screwdriver (borrow or $4 for a set of 5)
7. Eclipse Lens Cleaning fluid ($18)
8. PecPads lens cleaning fabric ($25 for a pack of 100)
9. 2 sheets each waterproof silicon carbide sandpaper - Grade 80 and 800 ($4)
10. Fine (0.3mm) waterproof marker ($1)
11. Detergent (borrow from mum)
12. Water (free but must be clean)
13. Spare glass sheets to practice (can be free if you look around)

Total comes to about $104

This is the procedure for cutting the filter:

1. Remove the ring-mount from the R72 by gently prying out the retaining ring with the help of the small screwdriver
2. Clean the filter carefully, ensuring that there is no dirt on it that may cause you to scratch it.
3. Draw the outline of the hotmirror on the filter
4. Cut a clean piece of paper into strips (about 8) roughly the width of the ruler
5. Oil the carbide wheel on the cutter
6. Put a piece of paper strip on the filter, along one of the lines to be cut and put the ruler on top of it
7. Squirt the oil along the line to be cut (be generous)
8. Take a deep breath and cut the filter (see note below)
9. Holding the filter in your hands, gently snap it along the scored line
10. Wash the filter with water and detergent
11. Repeat steps 5-10 for the remainin three sides
12. The cut replacement filter will be larger than the hotmirror, use the sandpaper to "grind" it down to size
13. Wet the rough (grade 80) sandpaper, "grind" each side until it is of the correct size
14. Wet the fine (grade 800) sandpaper and smoothen each side
15. Wash again with water and detergent
16. Do a final cleaning with Eclipse and Pecpads

Note
When cutting the filter, use a strong (not hard), steady downward pressure (stand up to do this). When done correctly, you will hear a sound like that of tearing cloth. DO NOT under and circumstances go over the cut line again!!!

Be very watchful for tiny glass fragments as these (if pressed hard enough) can scratch the filter...the tiniest scratch will look like a bolt of lightning on your photos.

These are the steps and things to watch out for when cutting your own filter...seriously, do consider getting the LifePixel filter to save yourself all the nail biting. :bsmilie:

Cheers,
Matt

Hahaha....:bsmilie:

After reading what you've written down here, I'm a bit scared to try now, for the fear of making a boo-boo....

Of course, I will not give up so easily. Maybe I take Velectron's advise and replace it with a piece of glass and then attach the filter thru an adapter or get a 28mm R72 filter. That way, it'll be much cheaper, wouldn't it?

 

[Velectron]

Many thanks to deadpixel for providing such a nice and comprehensive guide to glass-cutting! Kudos!

Just a question...where can you get Eclipse and Pecpads?

To Whacker: The procedure kindly detailed by deadpixel will still apply for the normal glass, so there is no escape from it! :bsmilie:

 

[whacker]

To Whacker: The procedure kindly detailed by deadpixel will still apply for the normal glass, so there is no escape from it! :bsmilie:

Sigh....yup...

But at least it's not that painful if I cut wrongly.

BTW, anyone of you know whether the Coolpix 995 can take color IR? What about f707/f717?

Thanks.

 

[deadpixel]

Hahaha....:bsmilie:

After reading what you've written down here, I'm a bit scared to try now, for the fear of making a boo-boo....

Of course, I will not give up so easily. Maybe I take Velectron's advise and replace it with a piece of glass and then attach the filter thru an adapter or get a 28mm R72 filter. That way, it'll be much cheaper, wouldn't it?

Unfortunately you can't just purchase a piece of glass from a shop and use it as replacement. For one thing, these type of glass are not of optical quality (may contain impurities) and for another, they're a lot thicker than the hotmirror, usually about 3x or 4x thicker. :nono:

If you do wish to have a piece of glass as a replacement, you'd need to cut a piece of clear glass filter.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Velectron]

Hi Wacker,

Pai Seh...Sorry to raise your hopes. I got the model number wrong. The link I have is for the Coolpix 950, not the 995. :embrass:

The link I have mentions that the 950 and the 990 are pretty similar in design. Since the 995 and the 990 are pretty similar as well, guess the disassembly instructions should be similar.

The thickness of the hot filter on the 950 is 2.5 mm, but not sure if it will apply to the 995 as well. Length and breadth are probably not the same since the 995 uses a 1/1.8" CCD whereas the 950 uses a 1/2" CCD.

You might want to take a look here for the 950 disassembly instructions:

http://www.abe.msstate.edu/~jwooten/camera/lense.html or
www.echeng.com/photo/infrared/wooten/

Sorry about the limited help I can offer.

I have a suggestion though...maybe you can email those guys at lifepixels and ask them about the filter dimensions. I'm sure they would be willing to disclose the info.

 

[deadpixel]

I have a suggestion though...maybe you can email those guys at lifepixels and ask them about the filter dimensions. I'm sure they would be willing to disclose the info.

Hee! Hee!

Someone has tried this to no avail....:cry:

Best to either search the net or just open up and measure.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Velectron]

Hi, Just found out that the hot mirror for the 990 is 2.8 - 2.9 mm thick. I believe it should be similar for the 995 as well.

http://bermangraphics.com/coolpix/990infrared.htm

Kind of difficult to find such thick glass. Might have to combine a few thinner pieces of glass but this will probably lead to some degradation of the image.

You might be interested in this :

http://www.huroncamera.com/diagrams/nikon_digital/995_pl.pdf

This is a breakdown of all the parts in your 995. The hot mirror has a Nikon part number of 645-046-8575.

 

[whacker]

Hi Velectron and Deadpixel,

Thank you very very much for your help and information provided. I hope to have enough information before I attempt to dismantle my Coolpix 995. I guess like Deadpixel said, best is to take out the 'hot mirror' and do a visual inspection. That way, I can be very sure of the thickness. I'm still thinking whether I should attempt to DIY or not as it will take a little bit of time which I don't have right now. I guess I can only use this short periods of time to do more research and gather more information.

On the other hand, I'm still tempt to get a Sony F707/F717 for what reason, I don't know. Probably, due to the fact that it has Nightshot feature.

Just a question, F717/F707 can take color IR, right? How about 995? Anyone knows? Those in other people galleries are mostly B & W. I like to take color IR, that is to convert the sky to blue color while the trees and grass remains white.

 

[Velectron]

Just a question, F717/F707 can take color IR, right?

Yup it can. Haha..maybe after I mod my 707 I sell to you? :bsmilie: Just joking.

 

[whacker]

Yup it can. Haha..maybe after I mod my 707 I sell to you? :bsmilie: Just joking.

Haha....quote me a price and I might buy it off you....:bsmilie:

 

[whacker]

Anyone can advise if the Coolpix 995 can take color IR?

 

[whacker]

Can 995 take color IR? Anyone?

Thanks.

 

[whacker]

Anyone? Upz...995 Color IR?? Can or cannot??