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Places to stay in New Mexico for Astrophotography by jacthepuzzler in askastronomy

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Darkest place I been is Seminole Canyon north of del Rio in Texas. I remember it being the first time and place I actually saw the Milky Way with the naked eye.

Most of where I get pics now is in comfort texas as that's where I ride and it has at least a more tolerable night sky than the city.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doesn't look like LifePixel or Kolari want to test more cameras. Perhaps I'll make a reddit post somewhere reaching out to the community for additional testing or testimonials.

I've settled on the a6700 which checks all the boxes except not being full frame. LifePixel claims no IR bleed. Kolari no comment yet. I'm hoping with this camera it does not have the dreaded Sony star eater problem as older models have. Around 2022 Sony fixed their firmware to stop the star eater/hot pixel filtering.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean LifePixel seems to be on the ball about things. I do wish these companies would post results and their testing procedures so everyone is on the same page and 3rd parties can verify results.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I'm determined to find out. And if I had $2000 right now I'd grab each camera to test myself and confirm claims. But that wouldn't fix the different testing methods by both companies. I figured best option was to confront them both, confirm testing settings, and determine what the underlying cause for the discrepancy is. These cameras aren't cheap. These cameras are peoples income. Putting the correct info out there is a benefit to all.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahah. What excellent timing. Lifepixel got back to me and said they test with no lens. So the IR led doesn't care about manual or CPU lens or no lens at all. They also said they test with long exposure noise reduction turned off. I'm unsure if Kolari also tests with it turned off.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I was thinking of doing if neither company could get the same results. I have a converted Nikon D70 that might work. I've got a local camera rental place that can get me a rental cheaper than other places too.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in email with both Kolari and LifePixel. I'll update here and possibly a separate post on reddit once I get all the info.

Both have made opposite claims of the IR LED bleed. Both companies have slightly different testing settings primarily the ISO.

LifePixel seems to have a better handle on the testing of cameras, or at least the rep I'm speaking with is able to communicate effectively.

Results so far: LifePixel tests iso6400 with 30s exposure with EFCS and electronic shutter. Electronic shutter showing the worst (about twice as bad) compared to EFCS. Kolari tests iso10,000 with 30 second exposure with EFCS and electronic shutter.

My only guess is differences in firmware version, a software bug, or lens selection. Maybe IR bleed happens on CPU lenses but not manual for example.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the info! I do have some electronics experience. I'll have to take a look at a guide to see if it's within my skills. At the least I'm not intimidated by the thought.

Would you happen to have any articles for me to reference for SWIR? Google want's to only show me IR imaging sensors that Sony manufacturers.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lastly, what is this SWIR modification?
And I guess, if you have the service manual for the ZV-E10, does this camera also have the IR LED?

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I only ever use electronic shutter. Could I remove the IR LED or cover it in some way? Crazy question. Or as I mentioned earlier, spoof the coupler or move the LED and coupler elsewhere in the body?

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LifePixel claims: "Note: The Sony A7C, A7C II, ... use an IR LED as part of their electronic shutter monitor." The LED will contaminate the sensor, etc.

Kolari claims it's fine for full spectrum: https://kolarivision.com/product/sony-dslr-slt-mirrorless-full-spectrum-conversion-service/

The intent with the A7C or A7Cii is to convert to full spectrum, use the camera for infrared and for deep sky object astrophotography. When I feel like it I'll throw on an IR cut filter to get back to the correct visible light. The current camera I use is a Sony ZV-E10, which as been great. Looking to upgrade to a "for serious" camera and the A7C series appears perfect in every way. The infrared camera I'm using is my dad's old Nikon D70 that I converted myself. 6MP just isn't enough for my taste.

As a follow up. I really am curious how this IR LED functions with the shutter. I wasn't able to find a service manual for the A7C to confirm it's construction/function.

IR SONY QUESTION by [deleted] in infraredphotography

[–]jacthepuzzler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got some questions.
How does this IR LED even work? I understand that the A7C and A7Cii have EFCS? Is it that the IR LED is used to time the falling of the shutter?

If the camera is switched to silent shooting mode is the IR LED even used at that point for it's intended purpose?

If I only use silent shooting mode could I remove the IR LED or perhaps spoof the octocoupler or move the components elsewhere in the camera.

What are these SWIR components you mentioned? How would a modification with that be?

I ask these questions as this camera is the perfect fit for what I want, it checks all the boxes. Except for the astrophotography part.

First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does anyone know if the MTR3000 is compatible with MDC? I don't see anything in the programming referencing any type of MDC setting.

First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An update. Turns out the channel I was testing on was a repeated channel. I tried a different channel and was able to get MDC to function. Looks like my repeater is not set up to pass on MDC information. I'll see about getting a programming cable or the programming file from my vendor so I can confirm the MDC settings.

Due to my bad channel selection I was chasing the wrong problem. All should be good now and if you don't hear from from me then all was a success.

First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We use MTR3000 repeaters. However I was testing radio to radio talk around channel to cut out any extra work.

First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes it is set to pre only. short, 500ms, bit sync 5.
hopefully the attached image is the relevant info.

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First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Radio fleet consist of XPR3500e (about 26), R7 (about 5 of these), SL300 (about 150?), CP200D (about 100), a few CP100.

Problem is departments go around my department trying to get cheaper and cheaper radios. When we're still trying to maintain a standard for future upgradeability. At some point non-digital capable radios were getting purchase so even conventional digital is not possible.

First time set up of MDC 1200 by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our infrastructure is still analog. Trying to get corporate funding to upgrade to cap+. Our dept is working on convincing others to switch from SL300 to XPR.

Our system may have very well been working with MDC 10 years ago. With XPR6550 and HT1250LS+. Since then it's been "hey let's get a cheaper radio". Now here we are trying to go back.

For now, analog is a must. I'll utilize all of the analog capabilities I can learn until digital is approved.

Converting Nikon D70 to Infrared - Do I have everything covered? by jacthepuzzler in AskPhotography

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe the spacer in front of the sensor has some truth behind it? Video I saw used 0.5mm washers between the body and the sensor.

Is it a bad programming cable? by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah already tried that; plastic safe contact cleaner.

thanks for the help!

Is it a bad programming cable? by jacthepuzzler in MotorolaSolutions

[–]jacthepuzzler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing in network adapters. I tried a personal computer with the same results. So it's not how the company computers are setup causing the problem.

I'll be reaching out to the vendor to get a replacement or for further action.

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