Nikon D1X DSLR Camera Body {5.47MP} Infrared (IR) Converted Sensor

Nikon D1X, Infrared-Converted for Full-Time IR Work

The D1X built its reputation on a CCD sensor with an unusual pixel layout: a 4028 x 1324 raw grid that the camera processes into a 3008 x 1960 output image, effectively trading horizontal resolution for a taller final frame while holding the readout queue steady enough to sustain 3.0 fps continuous shooting. This IR-converted unit takes that established sensor and dedicates it permanently to infrared capture, so there's no hot mirror to fight and no filter to screw on and remove between shots.

Handling stays true to the original D1X: a pentaprism optical viewfinder with 96% coverage, shutter speeds from 30 sec up to 1/16000 sec, and full manual, aperture-priority, and shutter-priority control. ISO runs 125-800 in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps, and exposure compensation extends to ±5 EV. The 2-inch, 130,000-dot rear screen is strictly for review and menu work since there's no live view, which fits the camera's rangefinder-era shooting discipline: compose through the finder, meter, commit.

Storage is CompactFlash (Type I or II), and the body runs on a dedicated battery pack than AA cells. At 1200 g, it has the heft of a working tool than a lightweight body, with a Nikon F mount that opens the door to a full range of period and modern F-mount glass. For anyone shooting infrared as a dedicated discipline than an occasional experiment, having a body permanently converted removes the guesswork and exposure penalty that comes with screw-on IR filters.

Who It's For

Fine-art and landscape shooters working exclusively in infrared benefit most, since the permanent conversion eliminates the multi-stop exposure penalty and long shutter speeds that screw-on IR filters demand on an unconverted camera. Photographers building a dedicated infrared archive gain from the CCD's rendering character, distinct from later CMOS infrared conversions. Documentary and fine-art printmakers who want square-frame-adjacent 3008 x 1960 output for large prints get a sensor built around that specific pixel geometry. Nikon F-mount shooters already invested in F-mount lenses can put existing glass to immediate use here, since the mount and 1.5x focal length multiplier carry over unchanged from the standard D1X.

Key Features

• 5.47MP CCD sensor, IR-converted with no hot mirror
• 4028 x 1324 raw grid processed to 3008 x 1960 output
• 3.0 fps continuous shooting at full resolution
• Nikon F mount
• Shutter speeds 30 sec to 1/16000 sec
• ISO 125–800 in 1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps
• Optical pentaprism viewfinder, 96% coverage
• CompactFlash Type I or II storage

FAQ

What makes the D1X's sensor layout unusual?

The D1X uses a rectangular-pixel CCD with a 4028 x 1324 raw grid. The camera processes this into a 3008 x 1960 output image by compressing horizontal data and interpolating vertical resolution, allowing Nikon to double horizontal resolution while keeping the readout at 1324 rows - which is why the camera sustains 3.0 fps despite the higher output resolution.

Does this IR-converted D1X need a screw-on IR filter?

No. The conversion removes the hot mirror permanently, so you shoot infrared without a filter or any light loss from an external element. You work at the ISO and shutter speeds the meter gives you, not stopped down to compensate for filter density.

What are the actual output dimensions and resolution?

The camera produces 3008 x 1960 pixel images at 5.47 MP. It can also output at 2000 x 1312 if you need to lower file size for CompactFlash storage.

What's the viewfinder like for composition?

Optical pentaprism with 96% frame coverage and 0.8x magnification (0.53x in 35mm equivalent). It's bright and composed, no electronic lag - you're metering and composing through glass, which fits infrared work where you're watching tonal values shift across the frame in real time.

What shutter speeds and ISO range does it offer?

Shutter speeds run from 30 seconds to 1/16000 sec. ISO is 125–800 in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps. Exposure compensation extends to ±5 EV, so you have room to push or pull tonal range in post-processing based on your meter readings.

Does it have live view?

No. The 2-inch rear screen (130,000 dots) is for image review and menu navigation only. You compose entirely through the optical viewfinder, which is standard rangefinder-era discipline.

What storage and battery setup does this body use?

CompactFlash Type I or II cards. It runs on a dedicated battery pack rather than AA cells, which gives you consistent power draw and longer runtime for sustained infrared shooting sessions.