First, the on-lens infrared filters are so dark you cannot see the subject throught the camera 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, this caused very long shutter/exposure times, limiting the ability to shoot moving subjects with out them being blurred. This also required the use of a tripod for most scenic pictures otherwise causing blurry images.

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. 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.

Spencer's Camera can convert your digital camera to Infrared by removing the internal Low-Pass Filter (Hot Filter) over the imaging sensor and replace it with an Infrared Filter, enabling you to capture infrared photos with your own camera. This allows you to see through the lens, frame your shot, and capture images just like a normal camera but with the dramatic results of infrared photography. Only the highest image quality polished glass and quartz material is used in our conversions unlike some of our competitors that use plastic filters. Plastic filters will result in distortion and soft focus in the final images. (Why Choose Spencer's Camera for your Infrared Camera, IR Conversion or Astro-conversion)

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Filter Choices:

We currently offer Infrared Conversion services for more than 400 different models of cameras, including all current Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Sony, Olympus and Fuji SLR models. Also, we recently added Hasselblad, Leica and Ricoh cameras to our conversion list. Example images using these filters are included in the gallery at the top of this page. Also, below are example images for the most popular IR filter options. Only the highest image quality polished glass and quartz material is used in our conversions unlike some of our competitors that use plastic filters. Plastic filters will result in distortion and soft focus in the final images. The three most popular filter options are:

 

Infrared Filter Options and IR Image Comparisons: Click here to see more comparisons

Normal Color Image - Unmodifed Camera.	On-Lens UV/IR Hot-Mirror Filter - Full Spectrum Camera.	Black & White Infrared Filter (830nm) - No Adjustments.
Standard Color IR Filter (720nm) - No Adjustments.	Standard Color IR Filter (720nm) - Color Channels Adjusted.	Standard Color IR Filter (720nm) - B&W Image Conversion.
Amplified Color IR Filter (665nm) - No Adjustments.	Amplified Color IR Filter(665nm) - Color Channels Adjusted.	Amplified Color IR Filter (665nm) - B&W Image Conversion.
Extreme Color IR Filter (590nm) - No Adjustments.	Extreme Color IR Filter (590nm) - Color Channels Adjusted.	Extreme Color IR Filter (590nm) - B&W Image Conversion.
Ultra-Blue Color IR Filter - No Adjustments.	Ultra-Blue Color IR Filter - Color Channels Adjusted.	Ultra-Blue Color IR Filter - B&W Image Conversion.

Standard (720nm) Filter: Our Standard Color IR filter (720nm - R72) which allows the camera to capture all Infrared Light and a small amount of visible or color light. This filter will produce great Black & White images simply by desaturating the image in Photoshop.

Amplified Color IR (665nm) Filter: Our Amplified Color IR Filter (665nm) which allows all Infrared Light and more visible or color light than the Standard filter to be captured by the camera. This filter will produce good Black & White IR images simply by desaturating the image in Photoshop. Some additional adjustments may be needed to acheive the best Black & White results.

Extreme Color IR (590nm) Filter: Our Extreme Color IR (590nm) filter allows a very large amount of color as well as all of the IR spectrum to be captured by the camera. Example images using this filters are included in the gallery at the top of this page. This filter will produce good Black & White IR images simply by desaturating the image in Photoshop. Some additional adjustments may be needed to acheive the best Black & White results.

Black & White IR (830nm) Filter: our Black and White (830nm - 87C) filter which allows only Infrared Light to reach the imaging sensor of the camera, creating deep, rich, black and white images with little to no post adjustments. For the purist black and white IR shooter this is the filter of choice.

Full Spectrum (Clear) Filter: Our Full Spectrum (Clear) Filter option is great for photographers that want to shoot IR using on lens filters and normal visible photography simply by using our UV/IR Cutoff filters on their lenses, all with the same camera. This filter option will allow the camera to capture UV, IR and Visible light, giving the photographer a lot of options. Especially for "live view" cameras this is a good option that allows for great flexibility. Shooting hand held IR images by using on lens IR filters and normal photography all with the same camera. Also, the full spectrum conversion will allow more of the EM spectrum to be captured for Astrophotography. (More about astrophotography is listed on our Astrophotography page.)

Custom filter options: We also offer special order filter options such as 515nm, 530nm, 550nm, 570nm, 630nm, 695nm, 780nm, 850nm and 900nm filter options. We can also special order most any filter variation that you may need. Some of our customers have ordered special filters covering narrow or wide areas of the spectrum for specialty photography, including Astrophotography, Solar photography, Agricultural photography and others. Also, we are constantly testing conversions on camera models that are not listed on this site. Pricing for most filter options, including installation service, are listed within each specific camera model listing in the IR Conversions section. Please email at info@spencerscamera.com for custom filter option pricing.

If you are interested in having a camera model converted that is not listed on this site please contact us as we may be able to accommodate your needs. (Yes, we do accept international orders. Shipping charges for international orders will be automatically calculated at the time of checkout. Standard shipping is via US Postal Service priority mail. For other shipping options please contact us for a quote.)

**** Canon & Nikon SLR users: The Dust Reduction System of some camera models will be removed during the conversion process. Please be sure to disable this function within the settings of your camera. Failure to do so may result in a temporary camera error. If your camera displays a Dust Reduction System error you can still disable the function within the camera menu. ****

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High Quality Standards:

Spencer's Camera uses only the best and most advanced tools and techniques to perform camera conversions.

Cleanroom and ESD Safety: Spencer's Camera uses only the best and most advanced tools and techniques to perform the conversions. Great care is taken to insure your camera is handled in the highest quality and cleanest work room environment. All tools used are Antistatic ESD safe and the equipment is properly grounded for antistatic safety as well. Our technicians are professionaly trained giving the highest attention to maintaining accuracy during the IR conversion process and while calibrating your camera upon completion of the conversion. We use reliable and time proven methods and material to install the new filter in your camera including added measures to insure long term reliablity. We do not simply install the filter using double sticky tape and hope it will stay in place long enough for the warranty to run out. Yes, we have seen this from other converison providers.

Focus Adjustments: In most cases, focus adjustments are needed, and performed, to maintain sharp and accurate focus while shooting IR images. This means your camera will perform as well or better than before the IR conversion. Yes, included as part of the conversion service, we calibrate the Autofocus system during every conversion we perform. (FYI: the conversions are not permanent and can be reversed upon request at a minimal charge.)

Repair Service Provider: Spencer's Camera not only provides quality IR Conversion Services, we are also a Camera Repair Facility. This makes Spencer's Camera uniquely qualified to competently perform your camera conversion with great care and expertise. Also, this gives us a unique perspective and indepth understanding of camera functions and operations, allowing us to convert and calibrate your camera precisely and accurately. Also, we can repair your IR camera that was converted by other conversion providers. We have repaired many cameras that were converted by our competitors and were damaged during the conversion process or never perform correctly.

Warranty: All conversions are covered by our 12 month warranty guaranteeing the functionality and quality of the conversion. It's very simple, our workmanship is the highest quality and we stand behind it.

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Low Pass Filter Replacement Service:

Scratched or damaged imaging sensor? Almost all digital cameras have a "Low Pass Filter" installed in front of the imaging sensor (The primary imaging sensor of a digital is the image capturing devise that "sees" or "captures" the image). The "LP" filter has more than one purpose. First, it blocks unwanted UV and IR light from reaching the imaging sensor, allowing the camera to render normal images of what the human eye can see. Secondly, the LP filter protects the imaging sensor from damage due to foreign material contamination or improper cleaning methods of the end user. If your imaging sensor has been scratched or damaged you will notice imperfections on the resulting images that cannot be cleaned or removed. Removing these imperfections during post processing (using Photoshop, Aperture, etc...) can be very annoying especially when editing large numbers of images. Spencer's Camera & Photo can replace the original LP filter, with an OEM manufacturer provided LP filter, returning the image quality of your camera back to perfect working order. Most camera manufacturers do not provide the LP filters separately from the imaging sensor, making a normal repair very expensive. For example, the primary imaging sensor (including the Low Pass Filter) for the Nikon D3s, purchased from Nikon is priced at $1,678.00 for the sensor alone. We carry the original OEM filter and will install it for much less, $500.00 including installation and calibration services. This is a savings of more than $1178.00 when you include the addition of installation charges from the manufacturer to install the new sensor. To start the Low Pass Filter replacement process or for more information please visit our LP Filter Replacement page.

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