Why do you only convert Mirrorless cameras?? - Mirrorless cameras are inherently much more suited to conversion than DSLR's, you see the live IR or UV image on screen or in an electronic viewfinder, the camera's AF and Exposure systems work directly off this image so need no further calibration other than White Balance and minor exposure adjustments. DSLR's however rely on their optical Reflex viewing systems, which will continue to show a visible light image [not IR or UV], so give no indication of what the IR or UV image will look like. Furthermore, their Focus and Exposure systems are also based on the reflex viewing visible light image, which will inevitably be inaccurate. Full spectrum conversions on DSLR's are even more problematic as unless the camera has live view, you won't be able to see anything at all in the reflex viewfinder when a visually opaque filter such as a normal IR filter is on the lens.
Which type of conversion is best for you depends on your own specific requirements, my normal recommendation is to have a full spectrum conversion as you are not limited to one wavelength, you can swap wavelengths or wavebands [UV, Visible or IR] at any time. If you are considering having a camera converted to IR with an internal filter, which wavelength to go for depends on whether you like the false colour effects, or you prefer Black and White. However a Full Spectrum Conversion has the maximum flexibility as you can do any effect by changing the filter on the lens or in some cases clipped to the camera body. False Colour IR not normally an effect that can be seen in the viewfinder or on the raw or jpg file, it is obtained by swapping the Red and Blue Channels in Photoshop, see the tutorials page for more details.
The example shown on the left is a typical example of the "Goldie" look, certainly interesting, but some people love it and some hate it. You can only get that sort of result with a deep red filter, that allows some Visible Red as well as IR light through, something in the region of 565nm to 680nm filter, the photo on the left was taken with a 590nm converted Sony Nex 6. A 720nm filter, the most popular IR filter, would only have very muted colours even after swapping channels. With wavelengths longer than about 700nm, there is very little colour information, the R,G and B channels are all practically the same, so these are more suited to Black and White effects. The longer the wavelength of filter though the greater the contrast between blue skies and foliage, so a more dramatic Black and White effect is obtained with something like 850nm filter, although exposures will have to be longer as these filters are blocking all visible light and quite a lot of Near Infra Red that the camera is sensitive to. However most modern cameras will show some striping or banding at 850nm due to the way the AF pixels behave at longer wavelengths, so I no longer recommend 850nm conversions on most cameras!!
The simple answer is if you want to do Black and White only, then go for the 720nm, if you want to keep the option to do False Colour then go for a 590nm or 665nm. The 590nm and 665nm conversions can do Black and White, with very slightly less contrast.
If you have a 590nm conversion, for example, you can always add an external R72 IR filter to the lens to get the same effect as an internal 720nm conversion, with very slightly longer exposures, approx 1 stop at most. Likewise if you have a 720nm conversion you can add an 850nm filter to the lens to get slightly more contrast in landscapes, you cannot however put a 590nm or deep red filter on and get false colour effects. It won't work that way round as the internal 720nm filter will block any red light that the red lens filter is letting through!
Full Spectrum or Specific Internal Filter Conversion?
In Full Spectrum Conversions, the internal UV/IR Cut Filter is completely removed, whereas in a Specific Filter Conversion [ IR Conversion, normally ] the UV/Cut Filter is replaced by a filter that blocks most or all UV and Visible light, such as a 590nm or 720nm filter. In the Full Spectrum Conversion a similar filter has to be placed in front of the lens in use, such as a Deep Red or R72 Ir Filter. The results and exposure are the same if a similar filter is used, so what are the Pros and Cons of each type of conversion and each wavelength.
I always say, if in any doubt go for a Full Spectrum Conversion, its the much more versatile option!!
Pros
Cons
You have to buy filters for each lens you use, this could mean several sizes and Wavelengths.
Can be fiddly swapping filters when using lenses for both Normal and IR Cameras.
Some lenses cannot accept front mounted filters, eg. some Fisheye lenses.
UV/IR Cut Filters are quite expensive and the cameras White Balance will never be quite the same as an unconverted camera.
Camera is tied to whatever filter is installed
Can't use camera for any other light other than original filter choice.
False Colour work involves much more Post Processing in Photoshop. NB. You cannot swap channels in Photoshop Elements!!
Not quite as good for Black and White as longer wavelength filters, but very close!!
Very Slightly Softer than 720/850nm.
Lenses with Hot Spots, often show coloured area in middle of frame.
590nm
Conversion
or R25a, R60, or Deep Red External Filters
False Colour not quite as good as 590nm
B&W Not quite as good as 720nm
False Colour Gold foliage and Blue Sky very weak
850nm
Conversion
No False Colour at all. Only suitable for sunny conditions. Needs about 1-2 stops more exposure. Lens Hot Spots worse.
Striping and banding with most modern cameras with PDAF pixels is much more likely. I no longer recommend 850nm conversions on most cameras.
Clip In Filters for Sony and Canon Full Spectrum Cameras
Recently a couple of filter manufacturers have developed a new style of filter that clip into the lens mount of certain cameras rather than screwing to the front of the lens. They are only available for the full spectrum converted Sony A7/A9 series of full frame cameras [A7R4, A7SIII or A9II soon] and the Canon EOS M, M50 etc from STC and Astronomik. NOW ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SONY a5000, a6000, a5100 and a6300 !! They are not exactly cheap, but may actually work out more economical than buying several filters of different sizes to cover a few lenses. They do offer several advantages over lens filters, the main one being convenience as you don't have to swap filters when changing lenses especially if using a normal camera at the same time. Astronomik do a range of specialist filters for Astrophotography of which the light pollution filters will be of most interest. STC do 590nm, 720nm and 850nm IR passing filters for general IR photography, which give Full Spectrum cameras all the flexibility advantages of Full Spectrum with the convenience of a specifc wavelength conversion. STC also do a Cilp In UV/IR Cut filter which unlike ones that go on the front of the lens do not suffer from colour shifts in the corners when used with wide angle lenses, I have used lenses down to 15mm with little or no corner colour shift. STC do a range of UV/IR Cut filters with cuts at 595nm to 625nm, I use a 615nm and find that the Auto White Balance works fine and is 99% of a normal camera. Because of the ease of use and simple changing of these clip in filters it allows, for the first time, the reality of just having one camera to do UV, Visible or IR without compromise, its a real game changer!!
Having Your Own Camera Converted to IR or Full Spectrum - From £180
If you have a spare old mirrorless camera and want it converted to Full Spectrum or a Specific IR Filter conversion, find the appropriate camera conversion in the SHOP, select the return postage option and pay using PayPal, then post the camera to the address on the CONTACT page. I only need the camera body with a body cap, no batteries, lenses or accessories are required. Just for security, please email when the camera is on its way so I can inform you when it arrives. Most cameras are converted in a day or two, so can often be back the same week if Special Delivery is used for postage. I will email Tracking details when it is on its way back to the registered PayPal address. - Please make sure your PayPal registered Postal Address and Email Address are current as these are what will be used unless otherwise arranged.
Conversion Prices as at 9/12/2024;
I am looking to retire in August 2025, so I have reduced the range of cameras I convert which means I no longer accept Fuji X, Canon R or Nikon Z series cameras.
I'm sorry I do not offer any conversion services for DSLR's of any make at all, I now only work on Mirrorless cameras from Sony and Canon M Series.
Unfortunately I have decided to no longer offer conversions from anywhere other than the UK. This is because UK Customs have started charging VAT on the full value of cameras being imported to the UK for conversion.There is also huge amount of paperwork admin that unfortunately make the process almost impossible. I can still export already converted cameras to most destinations worldwide, as this is far simpler, although you may have to pay VAT or Duty on import to your country.
Sony
Full Spectrum Conversion; Nex 3, 3N, F3, 5, 5N, 5R, 5T, a5000 - £180
a6000, Nex 6, 7 - £200
A7, A7R, A7S - £250
a6300, QX1 - £250
A7RII, A7SII - £300
A7II, A7III, A7IV, A7C, A7RIII, A7RIV - £300
A7SIII, A7CR, A7RV - £350
590/665/720/850nm IR Conversions* available at £40 extra for APS-C Sensor cameras and £60 Extra for Full Frame Sensor Cameras.
*Or Full Spectrum Conversions with Fused Silica Glass - Special Order for Native Ultra Wide Angle lenses.
H-Alpha Conversions to full frame cameras now available at £80 extra.
Fujifilm
All Fujifilm X Series Interchangeable Lens Cameras; e.g. X-E1, X-E2, X-E3, X-T10, X-T20, X-T100, X-T1, X-T2, X-Pro1, X-Pro2 Etc. [Not models with IBIS such as the X-T4 at the moment]
Full Spectrum Conversion; £295.00
590/665/720/850nm IR Conversion; £295.00, [Fuji X-T3 720nm Only - add £25]
Canon
Full Spectrum Conversion; EOS M, M10, M100, M200 - £180
EOS M5,M50 - £220
EOS M6, M6II - £260
EOS M3 not Recommended due to Banding on IR Images
EOS R7, R10, R50, R100 - £310
590/665/720/850nm IR Conversions available at £40 extra for Canon EOS M/R Series APS-C Sensor cameras
Full Spectrum or IR Conversion; EOS R or RP - £350
EOS R6 - No longer accepted
H-Alpha Conversions to full frame EOS R Series Full Frame cameras now available at £80 extra.
Nikon
Z Series Cameras; Full Frame - Z7,Z6, Z5 etc - Full Spectrum Conversion or IR Conversion - £350
H-Alpha Conversions to full frame Z Series cameras now available at £80 extra.
APS-c - Z50 etc. Full Spectrum Only [Not suitable for IR Conversion] - £300
Specials - Please contact before sending
Sony RX1 Compact Cameras - Full Spectrum or IR Conversion £350
Return Postage
UK Special Delivery inc. upto £1000 Insurance - £15 or £25 for upto £2500 Insurance.
To Order Manually [If Not Via Web Shop]
Please email me at alan@infraredcameraconversions.com to discuss converting your camera and I will send a PayPal Invoice to cover the conversion cost when your camera arrives. The conversion will normally only take 4-5 days, I will email tracking details when the camera is ready to return.
Send to;
Alan Burch
Woody Bay House
9 Fishers
St Lawrence
Ventnor
Isle of Wight
PO38 1UU.
Please do not send me any cameras for conversion from outside the UK, I will no longer accept them!!!
Full Spectrum
Conversion
Most Versatile as you can choose to shoot in UV, Visible or Infra Red by changing the filter on the lens.
Less glass in the camera's sensor stack, which means less Flare and less dust as there are two less surfaces, unless a Full Spectrum filter is installed, which is not necessary in most Sony mirrorless cameras.
The camera can still be used for normal photography by adding a UV/IR Cut filter to the lens.
Excellent for False Colour " Goldie"
and "Blue Sky" effects.
Very Good for Black and White
Can accept longer wavelength, eg. R72 Front Filter for better Black and White, then exactly as 720nm Conversion, except about 1 stop more exposure required.
665-680nm
Conversion
As Above, but a bit more Contrasty for B&W landscapes, but a bit less colourful False Colour
720nm
Conversion
or R72 filter
Excellent for B&W, probably the best wavelength compromise for B&W between Contrast and Exposure.
Works well in full sun or overcast.
Most lenses work well at 720nm, mostly neutral colour.
Excellent for B&W, very dark skies and very light foliage, in bright sunlit conditions.
IR Conversion
See Below for Specific Filter Wavelenghts
Don't have to buy filters for all lenses to be used.
Don't need to swap filters
The Photo on the Left above shows a Sony A7II full frame mount with sensor below, the photo on the Right shows the same camera with a STC 720nm Clip In Filter sitting just above the sensor and 2-3 mm below the level of the electronic lens contacts. No Sony NEX, FE or E Mount lens should ever protude into the mount past that little ridge below the electronic contacts, but some very specialised lenses via an adaptor may, so be very careful if using Biogon style lenses, if any of the lens protudes back past the mechanical parts of the lens mount!!
Now the STC Clip In filters are available for the Sony a5000/a6000 series cameras, I have had some feedback from early users, they work OK, but unlike the Full Frame ones that I use, they do not hold in place on their own, so can fall out during lens changing. This seems to be because they rely on the lens to hold them on place, which is also a problem when using non E Mount lenses via an adaptor. Manual lenses or adaptors without electronic contacts are not going to be suitable with these clip in filters unless they can be held in place by something else. [The Metabones adaptor is apparently OK I'm told, as it does have the electronic contacts.]