Nikon D200 10.2 MegaPixel Infrared Enabled SLR Camera
DISCONTINUED. This model has been replaced by the Nikon D300
Models:
XNiteNikonD200 UV+Visible+IR
XNiteNikonD200IR IR-Only
XNiteNikonD200HR Visible Hot Rod
The Nikon D200 is a professional digital SLR camera. This camera does not come with any lens. Because of the nature of the IR enabling modification, we do not recommend this camera to anyone who does not fully understand the implications of the modification.
We can modify this camera to be IR+Visible, IR-Only or Visible Hot Rod. An IR+Visible camera will see both Infrared and Visible light after modification. An IR-Only camera will only see IR from 715nm through 1200nm.
A Visible Hot-Rod camera will maximize the resolution and color depth of the camera at the expense of possible moire pattens. Please see more about this conversion here.
| Visible Hot Rod | IR+Visible | IR-Only | |
| Model | XNiteNiikonD200HR | XNiteNikonD200 | XNiteNikonD200IR |
| Camera can take normal visible pictures | Yes | Yes with CC1 filter | No |
| Camera can take IR pictures | No | Yes with external IR filter | Yes with no extra filters |
| Camera autofocus will work with IR pictures | NA | No | Yes |
| Camera autoexposure will work with IR pictures | NA | No | Yes with Exp Comp Adj |
| User can see through lens when taking IR pictures | No. Camera is not IR sensitive | No | Yes. Filter is internal. |
Benefits
Our modified Nikon D200 cameras can take infrared pictures at very high speeds in comparison with a stock camera. For example, the camera can take an IR picture with a F1.2 lens using a 1000nm cutoff filter in daylight at 1/4000 of a second. The modified camera is very fast to the point that it can become a problem if you are using too fast of a lens.
A stock camera would need an exposure of many seconds using the same lens + filter combination.
Equivalent Exposures. Pictures taken under bright, outdoor sun.
| Aperture | Shutter Speed (Sec) | Exposure Comp | Filter |
| F10 | 1/1000 | -1.0 | XNiteCC1 (normal photograph) |
| F10 | 1/2500 | -1.0 | No Filter - IR & Visible Light. |
| F10 | 1/1000 | -1.0 | XNite715 - 715nm equiv to 89B or RM72 |
| F10 | 1/800 | -1.0 | XNite830 - 830nm equiv to 87C |
| F10 | 1/100 | -1.0 | XNite1000 - 1000nm equiv to 87A or RM100 |
| F2.8 | 1/1600 | -1.0 | XNite1000 - 1000nm equiv to 87A or RM100 |
A stock camera is comparable to using the modified camera with a XNiteCC1 filter. Under outside sunlight where there is as much IR light as visible light, you will use an Exposure Correction factor of about -1.7. Notice that while you can take a standard picture at 1/1000 sec / F10 with an IR blocking filter, you can increase shutter speed to 1/2500 sec / F10 with no filter when the camera sees both IR and visible light. Using a low-cut IR filter like a XNite715 gives you the same 1/1000 sec shutter speed as you have with the visible light / IR blocking photograph. This is because the modified camera can see as much in the infrared range as it can in the visible range. If you attempted to take a photograph with a stock camera using a low-cut IR filter like the XNite715, your exposure time would have been measured in seconds - not a fraction of a second.
Further, notice that using a high cut filter like a XNite1000 allows you a 1/100 sec shutter speed at F10 or 1/1600 sec shutter speed at F2.8. Try that with a stock camera!
This greatly enhanced near infrared sensitivity makes this camera the choice for professional photographers, astronomical studies, aerial vegetation analysis, geological and mineral exploration and surveillance applications.
Drawbacks on IR+Visible
Using digital SLR camera means that you look through the lens. This is great when you can physically see through the lens, but with a true infrared filter on the camera, you will not be able to see anything! After taking the picture, you can review the shot on the LCD display on the back of the camera. However, the camera image sensor (the CCD) is hidden behind the camera's shutter until you take a picture. Therefore, you cannot preview an infrared picture prior to taking the shot.
Unlike consumer cameras like the other Sony digital infrared enabled cameras which we sell, the Nikon D200 meters light through a separate light sensor. The typical consumer cameras use the camera's CCD to set exposure. Since the D200 has a separate metering circuit, the camera does not correctly automatically set exposure. The user must manually set the Exposure Compensation (EC) function. The amount of correction will vary depending on the ambient infrared light. We may find a fix for this in the future.
When you buy the D200, you only get the camera body. You have to supply your own lens. Further, you will need to have various filters for each and every lens you use with this camera.
This modified camera sees infrared and visible light simultaneously. For normal photography, you will need to use an IR blocking filter like our XNiteCC1. You will need an XNiteCC1 filter for each lens size you plan to use for normal photography.
Modification will void your warranty.
Conclusion
IR+Visible enabled digital SLR camera is only good for somebody who really needs a serious infrared capable digital camera and wants to take visible pictures as well If you will only be using the camera for infrared, we recommend the IR-Only version because you will be able to see through the lens, autofocus and shoot in automatic modes as long as you dial in the exposure compensation needed beforehand.
If you are a casual user, you are much better suited getting a camera like the Sony DSC-F828 which doesn't have the exposure compensation issue and only uses one filter size.
If you don't understand the explanation above, do not buy this camera.
We can modify your D200 for a $450 fee + return shipping & handling ($20 for UPS ground insured within continental USA).
Nikon D200 Comparison (no post-processing done. These are small JPG sections taken from RAW images shown at 100%. Same lens and exposure used. Focusing was bracketed and the sharpest pictures were used.)
Hot Rod Nikon D200 Stock Nikon D200
