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Modify your your Digital Camera for Infrared Photography

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Infrared photography is easier than ever, thanks to some clever, warranty-voiding customizations.

By Joe Farace

June 22, 2010

Because the imaging sensors in digital camera are sensitive to more than visible light, some manufacturers place an infrared cut-off filter in front of the chip to block IR light from striking it and causing color balance problems.


 If your digital camera is not IR sensitive or if you decide to get really serious about digital infrared photography you might want to have your camera converted to IR-only operation by having this filter removed and replaced with one that only passes infrared light.

After conversion, the camera only records reflected IR radiation but there is no need to place an IR filter in front of the lens, leaving the viewfinder clear and bright so the camera to be handheld--something IR film photographers only dream about.

You can tone black and white IR image files to add a different look. This photograph in Arches National Park was made with a modified Canon EOS D30 and toning was applied using PixelGenius PhotoKit Photoshop-compatible plug-in. ©2006 Joe Farace

Sources for converting standard digital SLRs to IR

The IR Guy
LifePixel
MaxMax
Australia’s Khromagery's

The cost to convert a camera ranges from $350 to $450, depending on camera and conversion service. If you want to do it yourself, LifePixel’s website includes tutorials that show you how to modify certain cameras.





Joe Farace, co-founder of the League of Infrared Photographers, is the author of “The Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography” published by Lark Books (ISBN 1579907725.) It’s available in all the best bookstores as well as Amazon.com.

 

Do you own a digital camera that you've converted to infrared? Which one? Who did you use for the switch-over? Leave a comment!

 

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2 readers rated this article. Average rating: 3.5 stars
 
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cool!

Thanks for listing several different places that list this! Looking into sending my old rebel in. *jijl- it is a filter that you screw on to the end of your lens. it will block all visible let and only let in infrared.. you can take infrared photos this way on an unconverted camera but you will need to allow for VERY VERY long exposures because most cameras block almost all infrared light. The filter works best on cameras that have the IR blocker removed.

by Lily in Colorado on January 29, 2012

0 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
infrared

can you explain how to use Hoya R72 infrared filter?

by jljl in sacramento on June 22, 2010

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