Last week Ricoh announced a new Pentax KP IR infrared camera variant.
Designed for libraries, museums, research institutes, government agencies, and other specialized agencies on mind this new camera supports both infrared and visible light.

A typical digital camera has an IR cut filter on the front of the imaging sensor and is designed to receive only visible light. The PENTAX KP IR, on the other hand, is a special-purpose camera that extends the sensitivity to the infrared range by replacing this IR cut filter with glass that transmits infrared. In addition, by attaching a visible light cut filter to the front of the lens, special imaging using only the infrared range is possible. Infrared rays transmit, for example, paints of paintings, pigments such as murals, and dirt on the surface of materials, and capture images such as sketches underneath. In particular, it is suitable for the analysis of various materials, such as being suitable for observation of ink and carbon components, and for making letters clearly visible from hard-to-understand wooden letters. This PENTAX KP IR has broad-band infrared sensitivity characteristics that cover up to about 1100 nm in the visible region.

Because infrared light is different from a visible light in-focus position, infrared light photography using a viewfinder that can only check visible light requires a great deal of technology. PENTAX KP IR can take pictures while checking the focus with infrared light using the live view function. In addition, you can check the focus strictly on a magnified view (up to 16 times). In addition, it is equipped with a high-resolution large-sized LCD monitor of 3.0 type, approximately 9210,000 dots (aspect ratio 3:2) which makes photography easy at the time of high/low angle. In addition, the protective cover uses an air gapless structure in which durable tempered glass is adopted and the air layer between the liquid crystal surface is eliminated, and the reflection of light is effectively suppressed.

By attaching an IR cut filter (option) to the front of the lens, it is possible to shoot in the visible range almost equivalent to that of a regular PENTAX KP. If the filter on the front of the lens is replaced with a visible light cut filter as it is, you can shoot and compare both visible light and infrared light without changing the shooting range and angle.

More info on Ricoh’s press release.