Offered for sale is my monochromatic converted Nikon D800. The D800 is a 36 megapixels DSLR camera intended for prosumers and professionals at the time. It was considered the megapixel king for a while.
This camera was converted to monochromatic by scraping the bayer array off carefully.
I am selling this to fund a D850 to do the same conversion.
The shutter count is around 60k the last time I checked. I will check again and update the listing.
All the buttons, knobs and dials work. The LCD screen works.
The direction button is a bit finnicky but it works nonetheless.
The kit includes:
- Monochromatic converted D800
- Battery charger
- en-el14 battery (will not be included unless you are in Australia).
- brand new SD card purchased from Tmall's Sandisk official store
- I will include the camera strap if I can find it
I purchase memory cards from Tmall (Taobao) instead of Amazon because Tmall does not consolidate inventory. This means the card is handled and shipped by China's official Sandisk, rather than inventory pooled together like Amazon. Inventory consolidation means you might purchase a fake card from a reputable retailor, and it is beyond their control. This SD card is guaranteed to be authentic.
What you need to use this camera:
1. Shoot in monochromatic mode
2. Monochrome2dng converter, this software is around $40
3. You will convert the .nef raw files to dng using the converter, and then load it into Capture One, Lightroom and so on.
4. If you did not set the camera to monochromatic mode, the images will turn out to be magenta. This is due to the debayering process still being enabled. It does not really matter, as you can still use Monochrome2dng to convert it.
Tips:
What your highlights. Once you blow them out, they cannot be recovered.
This is an old camera, the AF is garbage by modern standards.
More information:
1. Why would you do that?
Scraping the bayer array off brings out more detail and increases the quantum efficiency of the sensor by trading colour imaging capability. I used this camera for a microscopy project.
The transmission in UV and IR region also improves drastically.
The D800 has an antialiasing filter. Removing the filter and the bayer array improves resolution as well. To fully exploit this, you must use monochrome2dng, which disables the debayering process. I have compared the resolution with and without the programme. It is definitely a lot better with the programme.
2. Why not mirrorless?
Most mirrorless cameras use on-sensor phase-detect autofocus.
Once you scrape the layer off, you lose that autofocus. Good luck selling a camera that cannot autofocus well.
(Contrast detect AF can still be used, I think.)
Additionally, most mirrorless cameras also use stabilisation. This procedure is already risky.
3. Can I still get colour images?
Apart from AI, you can use RBG filters and then merge them to form a colour image.
This is how deep space astrophotographers and microscopists get colour images from their cooled monochromatic scientific cameras.
4. Is this different to IR/astro/full-spectrum conversions?
Yes. This one is much harder and riskier, as it involves physically removing a layer from the sensor. IR and astro conversions only swaps out the sensor glass stack.
5. Would it be possible to use IR/UV filters?
Yes! And you can still get those extreme contrast and details from the filters. For example, IR and UV cameras often "see" what our eyes cannot see. It will still be in black and white though.
6. How does this differ to conversions done by companies like Maxmax?
This one was done by an amateur with electronics and optics knowledge. Maxmax conversions are done by an expert who knows his stuff. Maxmax also uses chemicals to remove the layer, while this one involves physical scraping. Their conversion is vastly superior. If you have a valuable camera that you want converted, contact them.
7. Can you convert X camera for me?
No.
No eBay AI description was used.
Shipping:
Read this carefully.
I do ship globally. I will combine postage.
Sometimes, eBay does not combine postage costs. Pay anyway and I will refund the difference, or wait for an invoice. I can also do custom listings for you that include all the items.
AusPost Standard (and express) offered for these regions/countries:
- New Zealand
- China, South Korea, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan
- Mexico, Canada
- Continental Europe, including Russia
AusPost Standard DPP for this country:
- United States of America under Donald Trump
AusPost standard only. I will not offer any other method. If you want AusPost express, contact me.
DPP means I will pay for Donald Trump's tariffs. The postage cost has been adjusted to reflect this.
This means ultimately, you are paying for the tariffs, not me. The tariffs are usually 15-25%. Postage cost has been adjusted to account for this value. Declaring the item as a gift will not work as the "bonifide gift" option no longer applies to holders of AusPost accounts (Donald Trump thinks we are all business owners).
When he ends the tariffs, I will revert my rates back. Anyone claiming the shipper pays for the tariffs are lying to you.
For countries/regions not listed, I will only offer Auspost Express. If you are from these areas and you are okay with up to 8 weeks postage times with standard, message me. There is nothing I can do to improve local customs.
AusPost Parcel Post to anywhere in Australia.
Usually ships in a day, however, I do get busy at times and go on business trips, so please allow up to 7 days.
Returns and refunds:
Accepted if the item is not as described. Full refund in case it is lost or damaged. High value items will be insured.
Customs:
It is the buyer's duty to contact customs in case of items being held for clearance. I will provide invoice upon request.
An item held for too long will be returned. I will not refund postage in this case.
All photos were taken with a mirrorless camera and adjusted white balance using a grey card. Minimal processing.