Digital Camera Infrared (IR) Conversions,
Modifications and IR Photography

Digital Infrared Revolution

Digital camera technology has revolutionized Infrared Photography by providing a means for the Amateur and Professional alike to create dramatic Infrared photos with relative ease. Previous to the digital camera age, infrared photographers resorted to shooting IR film while using an Infrared Filter on the front of the lens, greately reducing the amount of visible light allowed into the camera. This caused a few problems that digital technology has overcome. (Order an IR or Full Spectrum Conversion here)

First, on-lens infrared filters are so dark you cannot see the subject throught the camera's viewfinder while the filter is attached to the lens. Normal Infrared film shooting required framing your shot before attaching the IR filter on the lens. Second, Infrared light causes focus issues unless the camera has been calibrated for correct focus. (Infrared Light transmission is at a different wavelength than visible light, creating a variance in the focal plane, resulting in focus differences. Earlier lenses have IR focus markings to help with IR focus adjustments.) Third, this caused longer shutter/exposure times due to less light reaching the film and limited ISO availability, limiting the ability to shoot moving subjects under darker situations with out them being blurred. This also required the use of a tripod for most scenic pictures otherwise causing blurry images. How it works

The unique ablility of digital camera CCD or CMOS Imaging Sensors to capture infrared light allows a photographer to take Infrared pictures at normal shutter speeds. The camera's imaging sensor must be modified for this to happen. We must remove the IR blocking filter currently installed inside the camera and replace it with the filter of your choosing. Then, your camera will be able to capture Infrared images at normal "handheld" shutter speeds (under normal use) without the need of a tripod if desired. (An unmodifed digital camera with an On-Lens IR filter attached will only be able to capture IR images when using very long exposures and high ISO settings, causing lots of image noise/grain and blurry moving subjects.) There are no infrared filters used on the end of the lens which allows the photographer to use the IR camera just like a normal camera but with Infrared results. Also, full spectrum modified digital cameras allow use of many different types of infrared filters which creates a large variety of infrared results. (See IR Filter Options)

Spencer's Camera can modify/convert your digital camera enabling it to capture Infrared images. We remove the internal IR blocking filter (Low-Pass Filter/Hot-Mirror Filter) currently installed over the imaging sensor and replace it with the Infrared Filter of your choice. This will enable you to capture infrared photos with your own digital camera. You will be able to see through the viewfinder and lens, frame your shot, and capture images using the same techniques as a normal camera but with the dramatic results of infrared photography. (Electronic viewfinder cameras will produce a "live" image in Infrared, allowing you to frame, adjust exposure, and fine-tune your image before taking the shot) Unlike some of our competitors that use plastic filters, only the highest image quality polished glass and quartz material is used in our modification/conversion process. Plastic filters will result in distortion, uneven and soft focus in the final images and are very soft allowing scratching when cleaned. (Why Choose Spencer's Camera for your Infrared Camera, IR Conversion or Astro-conversion)

An even more flexible option is a Full Spectrum modification. A "Full Spectrum" camera will allow you to use the same camera for "Normal", Infrared", and "Astrophotography", all with one camera. More about Full Spectrum cameras can be found here: Full Spectrum Cameras.

Order an Infrared Conversion Here.

More Infrared Time-lapse videos at our Portfolio page: Spencer's Camera - Infrared Timelapse Portfolio.

IR Time Lapse:

Timelapse compiled of day and night time infrared images. Cameras used: Canon EOS 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D, 80D, 7D, 5D, 5D II, 5D III, Nikon D300s, D800, D3 and D3s. The cameras had been converted to capture infrared by Spencer's Camera & Photo (spencerscamera.com). Images were compiled into a timelapse using Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Premiere Pro CC.