Fuji IS-1 Infrared Digital SLR

Over the past year, Texas Spirit Seekers has been testing the Fuji IS-1 Digital SLR. We have always been leery of orb photography and frankly think that taking photos of dust and water particles, then trying to pass it off as paranormal activity, is a waste of resources. Some folks study these darn things, they think they see faces in them or it's a sign of a spiritual vortex. I'm sure there are many technical articles on the web about the pesky little orb phenomenon but I just want to share with you some information about the camera I like to call the (ORB BUSTER). The IS-1 is not you're over the counter variety of digital SLR. In fact it is a Forensics and Scientific camera. You won't be able to run down to the local Wolf Camera and pick this little guy up. I have a few connections with Fuji Film and was able to purchase an IS-1 for our group to use in its research.

The following is from the Fuji specification sheet and their web site:

The IS-1 is a specially modified Neo-SLR digital camera with a built-in 10.7X zoom that helps reduce dust common in interchangeable lens SLR's. This camera is more suited to the point and shoot needs of forensic or scientific photographers, yet retains some of the basic features that made the S3 Pro UVIR so popular. The technology designed into the Fujifilm IS-1 was initially designed for traditional visible wavelength imagery. However, the natural low noise signature of the Fujifilm Super CCD produces high quality high resolution images within a limited band of Visual to Infrared. Because of the wide range of light spectrums captured, focusing and exposure are often done manually. However if enough visible light is available auto focusing will work. Unfiltered color images will retain a pink hue due to the added presence of increased red and infrared light captured. A great deal of this cast can be eliminated by adding a hot mirror filter or UVIR cut filter to remove the presence of IR light.

IS-1

• Fujifilm Super CCD sensor with 9.0 million effective pixels sensitive to both visible and infrared light(Approx. 400nm-900nm)
• Fujifilm RP (Real Photo) Processor
• Intelligent Flash system
• New 28-300mm (10.7x) Fujinon zoom lens with manual twist-barrel zoom control
• Class-leading sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution for photography in low light conditions
• Low sensitivity of ISO 80 for ultra-high quality photography - recommend using at or above 200 ISO when shooting under IR lens filtration conditions
• 2.0in, (235,000 pixel) tilting LCD screen for easy high and low angle shooting
• Ultra-fast response times (0.01 second shutter lag and 0.8 second start-up)
• Real-time histogram to assist exposure settings before shooting
• Highlight Warning feature for displaying highlight areas in playback
• VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with zoom capability and sound
• Closed unit design to eliminate dust accumulation on the CCD
• Hotshoe and PC sync terminal
• Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 for RAW format shooting
• Both xD-Picture Card^TM and CompactFlash^TM/Microdrive compatible

If you do have an opportunity to purchase one of these cameras they will run anywhere from $800.00 to $1300.00. Depending on the package, you can just get the camera or you can purchase the kit that includes the set of filters needed for both IR only and the cut filter used when you want to cut all of the IR part of the light spectrum. In using this camera, we have eliminated 99.9% of the orbs we pick up in our photographs. This leaves us spending time looking for real photographic evidence of the paranormal. If you do happen to get the camera you will need to purchase the UVIR Cut filter, IR720, IR850 and IR900 filters to use it properly. I would suggest learning a little more about IR photography before trying to purchase one of these cameras. There are a good number of groups that have been using IR photography in their research for many years, so I would suggest reading their published information on the subject. There are a number of companies that do conversions on digital cameras by removing the IR Cut filter from the camera you have but it voids the warranty and is not nearly as user friendly as the IS-1. Fuji is the only company I know of that makes an out of the box IR camera, ready to go! This is one of the best purchases we have ever made and would recommend it to any serious paranormal investigative group.

Lance Brooks (TSS Co-Founder & Lead Investigator)