dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

I want to shoot using infrared. My question,,, should I convert a digital camera or use filters? Tell me what you think is best.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I use a filter and tripod and am happy, but seldom shoot IR.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

A conversion works best. I would not use anyone but LifePixel to do the conversion. Check them out on the web and you will see how bad some conversions can be. They have a short clip called the wall of shame that shows some really bad conversions. There are several ways the camera can be set up with a variety of results. Look at their menu to see which conversion would suit the style of photography you want to do. I will most likely be converting one of my older Nikons sometime this year through them. A friend turned me on to that company and her IR shots rock! I will be sending in either a D300, D90, or a D700 for the conversion. If you tell them what lens you will be using they can optimize the conversion for that lens.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

https://digital-photography-school.com/convert-camera-infrared-black-white-landscape-photography/

Here is a link with an excellent and easy to understand overview of infrared conversion to digital cameras.

Convention does not entail just adding a filter and in fact, an internal filer is removed from the sensor.

The article leans toward traditional use of IR in creation of dramatic black and white images boy it touches in color as well.

Filters were required for IR photography with film.

In color IR you will get strange and interesting results with a converted camera.

There are post-processing effects that mimics IR, bit it ain't the real McCoy!

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selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

If you are using a digital camera it probably has a filter to block infrared. Adding an infrared filter will only record the small amount of IR that the camera’s filter is already failing to block.

An IR conversion entails removing the IR blocking filter and replacing it with a filter that blocks a lot of the visible light.

A conversion is the better option.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Both. Most digital cameras have a built-in filter that blocks the IR spectrum so that has to be removed if you want to shoot IR. That leaves you with two alternatives, the first of which is to include in your camera conversion the addition of a filter to block the visible spectrum. Alternatively, you can skip that added filter as a part of the camera and just depend on screw-on filters for the same effect. The advantage of this approach is versatility; there are many choices of such filters and using no filter at all is still possible - something that is especially useful for astronmical pictures.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Some cameras are difficult to convert but the old Panasonic TZ3 is a 45 minute DIY job to remove the hot mirror. The camera is old and so on EBay is low cost. The 37mm IR filters are low cost and are attached to threads of an upsize ring. The ring is attached using epoxy.

IR cameras are nice to have but not used a great deal.

For information see: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-547605-1.html

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Look on eBay for cameras that have already been converted - faster and possibly cheaper.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=infrared+digital+cameras&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

Aside from that, I would convert, rather than use a filter. Filters for IR slow down the process too much, since you can't see the scene through the dark filter. Spend some time on the LifePixel site to learn about the process and which cameras convert better.
https://www.lifepixel.com/

General info -
https://photographylife.com/how-to-process-infrared-photographs
http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/an-in-depth-guide-to-infrared-photography-processing--photo-9540
http://digital-photography-school.com/5-creative-ways-to-process-infrared-photographs-in-photoshop/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOmq6VwvPY8
http://infrared-photography.freeforums.net/
http://www.lifepixel.com/
http://www.kolarivision.com/
http://lightroom-blog.com/2015/05/26/creating-false-color-infrared-in-lightroom/

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

When I used a filter on digital camera, exposures ranged from 6 to 30 seconds (f/8 to f/16) one had to compose etc before adding the filter. (Tripod needed) Since having a Nikon D70 converted with 720nm filter built-in to the camera (NOT on the lens) exposures around 1/100 sec at f/11 are usual. , and one can see TTL all of the time.

Phil Martin Loc: New Hampshire

I've had three cameras converted by Isaac Szabo. Enormously pleased with all the results. You can google for contact information.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Absolutely get a camera converted. With a converted camera you don’t have lengthy exposure times or need a tripod. Lastly you won’t need a filter for each lens you use. You will need to decide which filter you want installed in your camera and which type of camera you want. The 2 companies I’ve used and recommend are
Lifepixel.com and
Kolarivision.com.
Thoroughly read their websites

If you have questions contact me. Also I’m thinking of selling one of my infrared cameras.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

If you have liveview take your tv remote and point toward your camera and press the button a couple times whole looking at your screen; most remotes use an IR signal. You should see the blinking signal. Now that you have ascertained that your camera does receive a certain amount of IR which may or may not be blocked somewhat by the filter I would suggest doing the lower cost filter technique first even though it may require longer exposures etc... Look online at the 4 or 5 most popular cutoff frequencies and the images they will give you. Then you can decide whether you want a full spectrum conversion or maybe just a specific cutoff frequency. I just went through this process myself and just purchased and received from Ebay via the Russian Federation, a 10 year old, brand new in the unopened box, Olympus E-PL1 which I think I will do the full spectrum conversion on. Get online ,do a lot of research, decide for yourself which approach is best. As a last thought, there are lists online of lenses that are good or not so good concerning hotspots which are a problem. I am for sure no expert at this as I am going on the journey myself but thought I would just pass along some of the things I have learned so far... Good Luck. Bob

bthomas42 Loc: North Ridgeville Ohio

I've had my Nikon D5200 cameras converted by Isaac Szabo. Sent in both the camera and the lens. Went with the 590NM internal filter pleased with the results. Google Isaac Szabo for contact information.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Same as LWW. I just put an IR filter on my camera and shoot. Be mindful of IR focusing at a different point than visible light and exposure.
--Bob