What is the difference of the PF1, PF2, PF3 and PF4?
PF1 shows the best X-ray see-through capabilities and PF2 shows 90%
capabilities of PF1.
PF3 shows 80% capabilities of PF1 and PF4 shows 70% capabilities of PF1.
What is the difference between the PFs and ICF1?
First, the ICF1 is NOT a see-through filter. The ICF1 filter is needed to get normal images from a
modified (ICF-Removed) camera. Without an ICF (after modification), you will get
"red-tint" images. To get normal images as before modification, you have two options.
One is to re-insert the original ICF to the same position. The other is to externally
attach (screw) the ICF1 filter onto an object lens easily.
Sony NightShot Models & Modified (ICF-Removed) Cameras
Which Sony NightShot model is best?
Actually there won't be much difference among the NightShot models in
"seeing-through". However, if you are going to buy a new camcorder, we recommend one of
models that have
a Slow Shutter feature in NightShot mode or Super NightShot models. These models
will help to get better see-through images in lower infrared
situations such as environment D than other NightShot models. Also note that all these models are fully modified new models.
I have a Sony NightShot camcorder. How can I increase the NIR?
You can use Sony's IR emission light HV-LIRH2
or HVL-IRC
to increase the NIR.
I have a modified normal camcorder. How can I increase the NIR?
Sony HVL-IRC
can be used, especially for Night-Viewing. A Tungsten bulb or Electronic flash will
also increase the amount of NIR.
The External NightShot Switch Method do not work on my Sony NightShot New Model. How can I get Full Control of Exposure
in the NightShot mode?
Some Sony NightShot New Models do not work with the External NightShot Switch Method.
In this case, the Internal Microswitch Method should be applied.
Can I use the PF1 in the environment A and B without applying the External
NightShot Switch Method
or Internal Microswitch Method?
Yes.
You can still use the PF1 in the environment A and B without applying these Methods.
The purpose of these Methods is to get full control of exposure in the NightShot
mode. However if you don't need this feature, you don't have to
apply these Methods. By simply using the PF1, you would be able to get good
see-through images in the environment A and B even without applying any Method.
I purchased the PF1 for my Sony NightShot. But when I
attach it over my camcorder, I can't see anything indoors. What's wrong?
The PF1 is only for high infrared environments such as bright day
light. The environments C and D (indoors) are not proper for the PF1.
Can I use the PF2 in the environment A and B without applying the External
NightShot Switch Method
or Internal Microswitch Method?
No. Absolutely impossible. You will only get all-white images through the viewfinder
or LCD screen.
Can I use the PF2 in the environment C and D without applying the External
NightShot Switch Method
or Internal Microswitch Method?
Yes. You can use the PF2 in the environment C and D without applying any
Method.
What is the difference between Sony Super NightShot models and normal
NightShot models?
There is little difference in Super and normal NightShot models. But when using Super
NightShot model you would get better images in less infrared situations such as
in the environment D or at night.
Unmodified Cameras
Can I use the PF1 or PF2 for my
unmodified normal camcorder?
No. The
PF1 and PF2 are only for Sony NightShot camcorders or modified (ICF-REMOVED) camcorders.
So the PF1 or PF2 can't be used for unmodified normal camcorders or digital
cameras at all.
When the PF1 or PF2 is used
for an unmodified camera, you will only get all-black images through the viewfinder
or LCD screen. To use the PF1 or PF2, you need to remove
the ICF inserted in your camera. If you don't want to modify your camera, you have to use
the PF3 or PF4 instead of the PF1 or PF2. Please note that by removing the ICF you will
get much better see-through images than when using the PF3 of PF4 without modifying.
I am using the PF4 for my unmodified normal
camcorder. Can I still use the PF4 after modifying the camcorder?
Yes. You can still use the PF4 for the modified
camcorder. However, when taking see-through pictures in high NIR situations such
as in environment A or B, too
much infrared rays pass through the PF4. Thus, the see-through pictures won't be
as distinct and will be of lower contrast. For the best see-through pictures, PF1
and PF2 are highly recommended.
Digital Cameras
I have Sony digital camera DSC-F707 / DSC-F717 model. Which PF is suitable for this
model?
These Sony models have a " NightShot" feature. In this mode, you can "automatically" remove an ICF
inserted even without any modification. The 58mm PF2 (in environments B,C and D)
and 58mm PF1 (in environment A, very bright day light) are suitable for this special
models.
Modifying Cameras
I have a Sony color CCD Security camera that
has a pin-hole lens. I have had it apart and there seemed to be a blue-tinted glass filter placed between the
CCD sensor and the pin hole lens. I removed this hoping it was the IR CUT FILTER
but when I tried using the camera I couldn't get the
camera to focus. I got a terribly blurred image that I couldn't rectify even with the focus adjustment
dial.
What's wrong?
See Below
I have disassembled my Sharp camcorder's optic assembly and removed the "ICF" with flat surfaces on both faces. Unfortunately, the
camcorder was unable to focus
properly without the original ICF. I could only get the camcorder to
focus for near objects.
I was not able to focus on anything more that 2 feet. Of course, without the
ICF, I was able to see images on the LCD even under normal room
lightings at night except that I was unable to focus and the images were blurry.
How can I fix this problem?
See Below
I have a Kodak digital camera. I have removed the original ICF filter (the one next before the CCD) which size approx. 11mm X 13mm
and 5mm thick and flat, with greenish bluish color. But after that my camera become out of focus, focusing only in very limited range (approx. 1.5 meters).
Did I have removed the correct ICF filter? What's the problem?
To fix this problem, first, make a piece of glass of the same size and thickness as the
original ICF. A professional glass cutter would be able to easily do this. And replace
the original ICF with the new normal glass.
Attaching the PF
Which size of PF filter is needed for my camera?
Most camera models show the filter diameter on the object lens
surround, as shown below. E.g., If
there is "∅37" printed there, then the filter diameter is 37mm.
In this case, you can use a 37mm PF.
If you can't find any writing on the lens surround, check your camera's manual to see which size of filter your camera takes.
How can I attach the PF over my camera's lens?
It's very easy! Since the PF products have filter threads you
can easily screw a PF into the camera's lens. The threads are standardized to be compatible with all types of
manufactured cameras.
My camera has a 34mm filter thread but 34mm PF
filter is not available. Which PF should I use?
You can use a proper size of adapter ring together with a PF. For example, you
can use a 37mm PF together with 34mm-37mm adapter ring. Some types of adapter
rings are available in our online mall. Also you will be easily able
to buy an adapter ring for your camera at an online or offline camera shop.
My digital camera doesn't have any filter thread around the lens.
How can I use a PF?
You can use our PF5 gelatin
filters instead of the glass filters. It will work perfectly well.
Placing an Order
Whenever I submit an order I get an error message. How can I solve this?
What web browser are you using now? We recommend you to use MS Explorer 4.X or Netscape 4.X.
or later. And set the security option to "default" at the tool menu.
Can you ship my order via normal postal service?
Unfortunately we can't ship an order via normal postal service. Because
there is always a risk to ship an order via normal postal service though the risk level depends on your country.
Miscellaneous
Is there a distance limit at which the PF filter will begin to lose
it's characteristics?
No. How far away the object is not related to the
capabilities of the PF. If you use a highly efficient telephoto lens, you will be able to get
so much better see-through images of distant objects.
Can a telescope or sunglasses be a see-through device?
All devices with CCD can be good see-through devices. Yet,
since the telescopes or sunglasses don't have any CCD installed within, so cannot be a see-through
device.
Can I get thermal pictures by the PF?
No. Thermal pictures are not related to seeing through. A normal camcorder with a PF
filter do not work for heat response.
You need to use a special infrared camera to get thermal pictures.
How can I get the Night Vision by the PF?
For example, to watch animals at night, you have to remove the ICF inserted in your camera and use an IR illuminator together.
But any PF is not needed to attach on your camera.
I have a Sony Digital8 model DCR-TRV120E. And I also have the PF2 which was purchased to assist in rewriting Ink stained damaged family history documents.
How can I get see-through images?
Please use the Fluoresced See-Through
technique.
What is the Television Standards?
There are a few different television standards used worldwide today.
Different standards are used in different countries and continents. The major
difference between these standards is in the number of scanning lines and frame
frequency. EIA(monochrome) and NTSC(color) is used in the USA, Canada, Mexico,
Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and most Caribbean and Latin American countries
(except for Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil). CCIR(monochrome) and
PAL(color) is used in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and most African and Asian
countries, as well as in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
World Television Standards by Country
ABU DHABI - PAL
AFGHANISTAN - PAL
AJMAN - PAL
ALBANIA - PAL
ALGERIA - PAL
ANDORRA - PAL
ANTIGUA - NTSC
ANTILLES, NETHERLANDS - NTSC
ARGENTINA - PAL-N
ARUBA - NTSC
AUSTRALIA - PAL
AUSTRIA - PAL
AZORES - PAL NTSC
BAHAMAS - NTSC
BAHRAIN - PAL
BANGLADESH - PAL
BARBADOS - NTSC
BELAU - NTSC
BELGIUM - PAL
BELIZE - NTSC
BENIN - SECAM
BERMUDA - NTSC
BOLIVIA - NTSC
BOPHUTHATSWANA - PAL
BOTSWANA - PAL I
BRAZIL - PAL M
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS - NTSC
BRUNEI - PAL
BULGARIA - SECAM V
BURKINA FASO - SECAM
BURMA - NTSC
BURUNDI - SECAM
CAMBODIA (KAMPUCHEA) - PAL
CAMEROON - PAL
CANADA - NTSC
CANARY ISLANDS - PAL
CAYMAN ISLANDS - NTSC
CENTRAL AFRICAN REP. - SECAM
CHAD - SECAM
CHANNEL ISLANDS - PAL
CHILE - NTSC
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC - PAL
CHINA, TAIWAN - NTSC
CISKEI - PAL
COLOMBIA - NTSC
CONGO - SECAM V
COSTA RICA - NTSC
CUBA - NTSC
CURACAO - NTSC
CYPRUS - PAL
CZECHOSLOVAKIA - SECAM V
DENMARK - PAL
DIEGO GARCIA - NTSC
DJIBOUTI - SECAM V
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - NTSC
DUBAI - PAL
ECUADOR - NTSC
EGYPT - PAL
EL SALVADOR - NTSC
EQUATORIAL GUINEA - SECAM
ETHIOPIA - PAL
FALKLAND ISLANDS - PAL
FAROE ISLANDS - PAL
FIJI - NTSC
FINLAND - PAL
FRANCE - SECAM V
FRENCH POLYNESIA - SECAM H
FUJAIRAH - PAL
GABON - SECAM
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - NTSC
GERMANY - SECAM (OLD) PAL(NEW)
GHANA - PAL
GIBRALTAR - PAL
GRANADA - NTSC
GREECE - SECAM H
GREENLAND - PAL
GREENLAND (US FORCES)- NTSC
GUADELOUPE - SECAM V
GUAM - NTSC
GUATEMALA - NTSC
GUINEA REPUBLIC - PAL
GUYANA (French) - SECAM V
GUYANA REPUBLIC - NTSC
HAITI - SECAM V
HONDURAS - NTSC
HONG KONG - PAL
HUNGARY - PAL
ICELAND - PAL
INDIA - VARIOUS, MOSTLY PAL
INDONESIA - PAL
IRAN - SECAM H
IRAQ - SECAM H
IRELAND - PAL
ISRAEL - PAL
ITALY - PAL
IVORY COAST - SECAM V
JAMAICA - NTSC
JAPAN - NTSC
JIBUTI - SECAM V
JOHNSTON ATOLL ISLAND - NTSC
JORDAN - PAL
KENYA - PAL
KOREA, NORTH - SECAM V NTSC
KOREA, SOUTH - NTSC
KUWAIT - PAL
LAOS REPUBLIC - PAL-M
LAOS - SECAM V
LEBANON - SECAM V
LEEWARD ISLANDS - NTSC
LESOTHO - PAL
LIBERIA - PAL
LIBYA - PAL
LIECHTENSTEIN - PAL SECAM V
LUXEMBOURG - PAL SECAM
MACAU - PAL
MADAGASCAR - SECAM V
MADEIRA - PAL
MALAYSIA - PAL
MALDIVES - PAL
MALI - SECAM
MALTA - PAL
MARIANA ISLANDS - NTSC
MARTINIQUE - SECAM V
MAURITANIA - SECAM H
MAURITIUS - SECAM
MAYOTTE - SECAM
MEXICO - NTSC
MICRONESIA - NTSC
MIDWAY ISLAND - NTSC
MONACO - PAL SECAM V
MONGOLIA - SECAM
MONTENEGRO - PAL
MONTSERRAT - NTSC
MOROCCO - SECAM V
MOZAMBIQUE - PAL
NAMIBIA - PAL
NEPAL - PAL
NETHERLANDS - PAL
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES - NTSC
NEW CALEDONIA - SECAM V
NEW GUINEA, PAPUA - PAL
NEW ZEALAND - PAL
NICARAGUA - NTSC
NIGER - SECAM V
NIGERIA - PAL
NORWAY - PAL
OKINAWA (JAPAN, US FORCES) - NTSC
OMAN - PAL
PAKISTAN - PAL
PANAMA - NTSC
PARAGUAY - PAL-N
PERU - NTSC PHILIPPINES - NTSC
POLAND - PAL
POLYNESIA, FRENCH - SECAM H
PONAPE - NTSC
PORTUGAL - PAL
PUERTO RICO (USA) - NTSC
QATAR - PAL
RAS AL-KHAIMAH - PAL
REUNION ISLAND - SECAM V
ROMANIA - PAL
SABA ISLAND - NTSC
SABAH & SARAWAK - PAL
SAIPAN - NTSC
SAMOA - NTSC
SAN ANDREAS ISLANDS - NTSC
SAN MARINO - PAL
SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - PAL
SAUDI ARABIA - SECAM H
SAUDI ARABIA (ARAMCO) - PAL
SENEGAL - SECAM V
SERBIA - PAL
SEYCHELLES - PAL
SHARJAH - PAL
SIERRA LEONE - PAL
SINGAPORE - PAL
SOCIETY ISLANDS - SECAM H
SOMALIA - PAL
SOUTH AFRICA - PAL I
SOVIET REPUBLICS - SECAM
SPAIN - PAL
SRI LANKA - PAL
ST. CROIX - NTSC
ST. JOHN - NTSC
ST. KITTS & NEVIS - NTSC
ST. MAARTEN - NTSC
ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON - SECAM V
ST. THOMAS - NTSC
SUDAN - PAL
SURINAME - NTSC
SWAZILAND - PAL
SWEDEN - PAL
SWITZERLAND - PAL
SYRIA - PAL (SECAM H?)
TAHITI (Fr. Poly) - SECAM H
TAIWAN - NTSC
TANZANIA - PAL
THAILAND - PAL
TIBET (CHINA)- PAL
TOGO - SECAM V
TORTOLA (Br. Virgin Islands) - NTSC
TRANSKEI - PAL
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - NTSC
TRUST ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC - NTSC
TUNISIA - SECAM V
TURKEY - PAL
UGANDA - PAL
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - PAL
UNITED KINGDOM - PAL
UMM AL-QUWAIN - PAL
UPPER VOLTA - SECAM V
URUGUAY - PAL-N
US VIRGIN ISLANDS - NTSC
USA - NTSC
USSR (SOVIET REPUBLICS) - SECAM
VATICAN - PAL
VENDA - PAL
VENEZUELA - NTSC
VIETNAM SECAM NTSC
VIRGIN ISLANDS - NTSC
YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC - PAL NTSC
YUGOSLAVIA - PAL
ZAIRE - SECAM V
ZAMBIA - PAL
ZIMBABWE - PAL