Tuesday 29 November 2016

Full Spectrum Nikon Coolpix P900

over this last few years I have had real trouble trying to find a video camera that ticks all the right boxes, an impressive optical zoom, a decent viewfinder and for me it has to have infrared capabilities.  For many years Sony handycams were a wise choice as they did tick all the boxes, a simple IR pass filter that screwed to the lens, a quick flick to 'nightshot' and off you went. At one point, most had 40x optical zoom and a simple but functional viewfinder, a must when filming the sky. As with most things, camcorders evolve, the largest improvement being image resolution. As most camcorders now are HD (1920x1080p) and even 4K (3840x2160) actual sensor size is also growing within these camcorders and this is having a negative impact on optical zoom. In short, the optics have to stay relative to the sensor size, if not images become more cropped the larger the sensor becomes. Also, a camcorder producing  0x to 15x zoom also requires moving parts, the higher the optical zoom, the more the focal length has to be increased and that is a lot to get into a consumer camcorder.


After going through many camcorders this last few years I noticing the cross breed camera or 'bridge' camera was making it's mark in the photography world. A bridge camera is a versatile and more affordable version of a DSLR, it is sort of a compact crossed with a SLR. One positive advantage a bridge camera has over a camcorder is that the zoom lens is on the outside of the body, not in the inside which restricts zooming possibilities. Over this last few years the bridge camera market is really making it's mark and obviously there are going to battles between manufactures to who can produce the best camera within a certain price bracket. The mega zoom feature was one battle that I kept a close eye on.


In 2015 Nikon released it's new flagship bridge camera, the Coolpix P900 which boasted a whopping 83x optical zoom, it also has a 3" pull out swivel LCD, a highly rated viewfinder and can film in 1080p50FPS. After watching countless P900 zoom videos on YouTube and reading no end of rave reviews, I decided to buy one and try it out for myself. Getting to know this camera for a was great fun, way different to any video camera that I have previously owned, but  I had to think about how I was going to turn it into a full spectrum or infrared camera, I knew before buying it that I would get around to modifying it. After doing a whole ton of research and emailing around for quotes, most being around the £250 mark, I decided to do it myself. My main concern was obviously just completely wrecking the camera and second, will there be any focusing issues. With full spectrum or infrared DSLR cameras, the focus has to be re-calibrated to focus on the desired light wavelength. This is because the point of focus in the visible light wavelengths (400nm-700nm) differs from near IR (400nm-1200nm) and it confuses the camera so it sits between the two, producing no perfect focus at all. This worsens the larger the sensor becomes, but becomes less apparent the smaller the sensor is. 
As the P900 prides itself on being a 'superzoom' bridge camera, it therefore must has a small sensor? it has. The sensor size being just 1/2.3" or 6.2mm x 4.6mm making it 17% smaller than it's DSLR-like sensor in it's class. So the focusing issue hopefully wouldn't be an issue at all.
If you strip away the enormous telescope like lens and the large durable body essentially what you have is the innards of a sophisticated compact camera. And like compact cameras, the infrared cut filter isn't really that hard to get to at all. A steady hand, the right tools and lots of sweating and it was out and the camera put back together again.  I probably had a the worlds first Full spectrum P900.
There are no focusing issues which is excellent, I've bought a selection of crew on lenses that include IR pass filters and a IR/UV cut filter so a can still use it in the normal spectrum.



To show just how capable this camera is, here is a photograph of the international space station. It took me quite a few attempts, but I got there in the end. It is of course heavily cropped, but I'm happy with it.



To capture the ISS like in the photo above, try starting with these setting, but always pre-focus on the Moon if you can.



A short demo video that I made.

Watch in the highest HD quality.


In the past, having captured a numerous amounts of unexplained objects that cannot be filed into any conventional or natural phenomenon drawer, this camera at this time is probably the best UFO hunting weapon for daytime filming. Being full spectrum obviously gives a big advantage over normal cameras and camcorders. Even at night, the settings given for the capture off the ISS should help resolve any structure of any moving light in the sky, being man made or not.

24 comments:

  1. Hello, do you have any details on how to remove the IR filter so I don't destroy the camera trying it myself? Is the p900 the best camera so far for full spectrum during the daytime? Thanks.

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  2. Hi Andrew, I don't, sorry. But I have since found this... http://digitalinfrared.blog25.fc2.com/blog-entry-397.html. The icf is at the back of the camera, once you have got to it, it just falls out. The biggest issue is reconnecting all the ribbons, so some good sturdy angle tweezers are needed. Without a doubt, this is a great full spectrum or IR camera. Playing with the white balance settings you almost get true colours back, appose to the purple hue that you get with full spectrum. Do you have a P900?

    Darren

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  3. Hello Darren, thanks for the reply. I don't have a 900 yet, it's on my list though. Cheers.

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  4. Interesting blog. I just bought P900 and have been playing with it for 2 days. I took some photos of chemtrails and planes yesterday that have UFO's in them. I'd like your opinion. Where can I load them? Thanks!

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  5. Thanks for sharing this interesting blog! Canon Camcorders is the best option for video recording.

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  6. yes Darren
    this camera Nikon Coolpix P900 is i think best for hunting video.

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  7. Hi, thanks for this wonderful and informative post about Nikon Coolpix 900. I found it very informative for those who are looking to understand the spectrum and working of Nikon Coolpix. Well, it is an expensive camera and if someone is looking to buy a new camera at an affordable cost then it is recommended to take a look at this list of cameras under $300. You will be happy to find the best collection for cameras that are available at an affordable cost.

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  8. Can you tell me if the converted P900 camera is as sensitive at night as the Luna Optics LN-DM60-HD night vision digital binocular which can do colour or IR??

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  9. Thanks for the info! What precautions, if any, did you take to eliminate dust infiltration into the sensor upon opening? Seems like the slightest micro spec on the sensor would affect image quality.

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  10. Made in Japan, Made in China, made in Indonesia.

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  11. Very informative blog. I was searching for something like this. your blog helped me a lot. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Home security systems Cary

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  12. im interested in buy this camera full spectrum converted

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  13. Does anyone know where I can buy one converted....I have had at least 100 encounters with ufo's..Triangle ones, balls of plasma, boom a rang shaped, octagon shaped ones...I got the money, can anyone help this disabled vet. get this in my hands..It's my passion, but I have a brain injury And I really could use some help from my people, please....D.J...

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    1. I may be able to do it for you. let me do mine first. maybe I will make a tutorial.

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    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6dwx6bC7cQ

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    3. I just purchased a p900 and sent it off to Spencers Camera in UT. I received it back last night and have just begun to experiment with it. Dont have any usable input for you yet but I will soon. Of course other than Spencers Camera did the work and a good job it appears.

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  14. Quickly and easily send photos wirelessly from your Wi-Fi & NFC enabled COOLPIX P900 to a compatible smartphone or tablet± using the Wireless Mobile Utility app. Share your great photos on the go, even in remote locations, or use a smartphone or tablet to control your camera.

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  15. Just made my P900 infrared. How do I change the settings so my pics are black and white? Thank you.

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    1. Hi, you can change the colour settings in the 'white balance' settings It's also a good idea to turn up the contrast when panning the skies.

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  16. Very good info for the p 900 I've had one for about 9 most and I mostly shoot the sky I just purchased a 67mm 950 infra red lens what I'm wondering is can I just put it on my camera and take pics or do I have to rebuild it like you're talking about I've got some great sky pics but want to do some pics at nite besides the moon any help would be greatly appreciated thanks robert

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  17. Thank you for the helpful tips!

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  18. Hi Darren, I just ordered a P900 to convert to IR, I also have a P1000 that cant be converted. Question I'm able to convert the camera but have absolutely no idea exactly what lenses (filters) to put on it, I understand there's also a filter that will bring it back to the true color spectrum. so I guess I need 2 filters Right? I bet you know the numbers of the filters needed because I have no clue and looking on Amazon I realized I better ask someone before spending a bunch of money guessing. good quality is better. thanks for the info you provide.

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