The Ultimate Conversion Guide
Understanding Camera Modifications
So, you’re thinking about getting your camera converted. There are so many options, but which one is best for you? Let’s find out, together!
To begin, we must understand the basics of the colour spectrum. The visible range is what we normally see with our eyes while anything on either side of the spectrum is nonvisible light. In astrophotography shots specifically, light ranges to the right of the visible spectrum are responsible for the burst of vibrance that we see.
Why are there three different modifications and what are they utilized for?
To answer this question, lets familiarize ourselves with the three major conversions. They are H-alpha, Full Spectrum, and Infrared. Each of these conversions requires the removal of specific filters inside the camera body followed by a thorough inspection. The filters that are removed or replaced likewise depend on the camera make and model.
H-alpha Modification
In an H-alpha Modification, the sensor stays open to visible light, but now it also takes in H-alpha light waves from emission nebulae in our own galaxy and neighboring galaxies. Getting your camera modified with this conversion creates an opportunity to shoot vibrant images of emission nebulae in the night sky in a significantly shorter time span.
Full Spectrum Modification
Consider the Full Spectrum Modification as the universal choice. This is an all-around modification that enables your camera to capture images of space objects at tremendous distances and replicate the capability of both H-alpha and infrared modified cameras. This is all because, in addition to visible light, both the ultraviolet and infrared colour ranges are captured. A camera with this modification can likewise function for daytime photography using external filters mounted on the lens and a custom white balance if needed. For astrophotography, just add a filter of your choice to the imaging train making sure that the filter cuts UV and IR light.
Infrared Modification
The Infrared Modification is an excellent choice if you are looking to photograph the world from a different, unparalleled perspective. In an infrared modification, only the infrared light range passes through to the sensor. Such camera can isolate infrared light to capture landscapes, cityscapes, or any other display from an almost entirely different view.
What else should I know before settling on a modification?
All Night Sky Camera modified cameras undergo an intricate calibration of the sensor position so that any modern lens you may want to use works properly and the camera retains its autofocus function (can focus on infinity).
Now you are a true expert in differentiating between the three conversions and are prepared to decide which of the three is best to suit your needs.
Ultra-wide lens performance
With modified cameras, some ultra-wide angle lenses – particularly those with focal lengths shorter than 35 mm, may show increased softness in the corners of the frame. This happens because modifying the camera alters optical properties of the sensor’s filter stack, which can affect how steeply angled light rays from wide lenses reach the sensor, especially near the edges. As a result, corner sharpness can be slightly reduced compared to an unmodified camera. This behavior is considered normal and not a defect of the lens or the modification. In most cases, stopping the lens down to around f/4–f/5.6 significantly improves corner sharpness and brings overall image quality back in line.