I’ve owned this Nikon Df for over ten years now. It’s had its share of love and travel. Heck, it even had its shutter replaced a few years ago, and it still fires like a champion.
But ten years is a long time for a camera, and after purchasing a second Nikon Df in 2022 (the silver model), and shooting stereo for about a year, I chose to modify this black Nikon Df and make it a full-spectrum shooter.
Last Friday, my camera returned from its surgery center – Kolari Vision in New Jersey removed one of the camera’s internal filters, making this Df sensitive to all forms of light. By using a specific lens filter, I can now use this Nikon Df to replicate the infrared brilliance of both B&W infrared images, and the classic “Aerochrome” look of color infrared.
So if this works … I won’t have to spend big bucks for a 25-year-old roll of Kodak Etkachrome EIR color infrared film, find a developer that can handle infrared slide film, and HOPE after all those factors that I get a decent image from my efforts.
So in addition to the camera conversion, I also purchased two 62mm filters from Kolari Vision – a 720nm filter to replicate B&W infrared, and an IR Chrome lens filter for those Aerochrome captures. The 62mm filter will fit my Vivitar ultrawide lens, and if this works to my advantage, I’ll get a couple of step-down rings to attach these filters to my 52mm Nikkor lenses.
Yep. This is going to be fun.
But I need a test location. Something to shoot that would capture that infrared beauty.
On Saturday, I drove over to the Green Island Gazebo. The Gazebo is part of a small green space in Green Island; it offers a great view of the Hudson River, and during the summer the Gazebo is the location for various free concerts.
I anchored the camera to its tripod, attached the 720nm filter to my camera … and this was the first shot I took.
Holy … wait a second … I took this? Yesterday? This wasn’t sent out to a lab for two weeks and just came back?
Oh sweet Lord, this is incredible.
And if I can get a shot like this with one quick capture … on a semi-cloudy day …
Imagine what I can pull out of this monster on a sunny day with lots of foliage or flowing water or whatnot.
A photo like this makes me feel like George Peppard in The A Team … because I love it when a plan like this comes together. Hoo boy.
Chuck The Writer 
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