Camera Lens Infrared Filters

The spectrum of infrared light may surround us, but it’s invisible to the human eye. Infrared photography provides photographers with a means of capturing unique images of the unseen world.

Common Types of Infrared Camera Filters

Some IR filters specifically reduce the amount of infrared light so it can’t enter the lens. Other IR filters cut the visible wavelengths of light and allow IR wavelengths to pass through for a classic infrared look. 

If you want to capture the infrared wavelengths, you’ll need to use a traditional infrared filter. If your goal is to prevent infrared light from reaching your camera’s sensor, you need an IR-cut filter or a hot-mirror filter. 

Combination Camera Filters

IR/UV-cut filters also cut UV wavelengths so your images depict the exact color spectrum that’s visible to the human eye for clean, natural-looking photographs. If you want to take long exposures of the infrared wavelength, look for a combined IR/neutral-density filter.

Circular vs Rectangular Infrared Filters

Photographic filters come in two common shapes: circular and rectangular. Circular filters screw onto the front of your lens and are specifically sized to match the diameter of your front lens element.

Rectangular filter systems are convenient when you want to use the same filter with multiple lenses or stack multiple filters without creating a vignette effect. You can position rectangular filters in front of any lens using a filter frame that attaches to lenses of different sizes. 

Filter Sizes

When using circular filters, you’ll need to know the filter ring size for the specific lens you’d like to shoot with. Look for the ? symbol on either the front element of the lens or on the lens barrel to determine the size of filter you need.

Infrared Filter Density

Infrared filters come in a variety of different densities to allow more or less light to pass through. If you want to shoot at faster shutter speeds, you’ll need an IR filter with a lower density. For long exposures to capture cloud and water movement, look for IR filters with 5-stop, 10-stop, or even 20-stop densities.

Infrared Camera Filters by Preferred Brands

Glass quality is an important consideration when selecting a filter that will either block the infrared spectrum or block visible light and let IR light through. Brands like Kolari Vision, Heliopan, Hoya, Tiffen, and Tokina are known for producing some of the finest photographic filters on the market.