Infrared Effect Filter Comparison

All cameras are essentially the same in terms of their sensitivity to infrared radiation, as long as the internal blocking filter has been removed. The resulting image effect is therefore not dependent on the camera, but primarily on the type of infrared effect filter installed (as well as on the post-processing). Depending on which infrared filter is installed, you get a very distinct image look. In addition, some built-in filters can be combined with a screw-on filter to create a different image effect.

Infrared Filters - an Overview

To better understand the image effect of the individual filters, a comparison is useful. Of course the RAW files can also be downloaded for free to better understand the image effect and try editing in your own software. The download area can be found at the bottom of this page or in the profile of the individual filters.

I have placed the filters with different processing states opposite each other. The right column shows the photos with automatic white balance, which is usually "wrong". With a manual white balance in the camera, the image effect in the second last column can be achieved. The first column shows the processed photo with the white balance set correctly (in this case to the clouds). Typical for IR shots is a channel swap to get a blue sky. This look is usually the desired image result for color IR shots and can be seen in the 2nd column. Finally, in the middle is the black and white processing of each filter type. Click on the image to see a bigger version!

Infrared Effect Filter Profiles and Details

Each infrared filter creates its own look and therefore leads to a special image result. There is no one filter that can do everything. Each filter is designed for a specific image effect.For detailed information and description click on the button and jump directly to the filter profile.

In general: For black and white infrared photography stronger IR filters (700 nm and 830 nm) are recommended, but if color IR photography is the focus, the weaker filters (e.g. 630 nm and 550 nm) have a clear advantage.

Full Spectrum Filter

A full spectrum filter is actually not an effect filter but a technical option to open the sensor for the complete spectrum. It is a 280 nm long pass filter that allows the complete spectrum from 280 nm to 1,200 nm to pass through to the sensor. This "clear glass" option can be combined with all filters, which means that you can use any screw-on filter in front of the lens and variably change the image effect. In this way, UV photos can be taken in addition to infrared images, or completely "normal" images can be shot in the visible range - with only one camera!

A full spectrum conversion not only provides the technical basis for using any possible infrared effect filter, it can also be used as a stand-alone solution to make the camera more sensitive. This can lead to lower ISO values and thus lower noise in astrophotography. For wide-angle nightscapes, however, this filter choice is not recommended. Light pollution from cities and villages leads to color shifts that are difficult to correct. For deep space photography, however, a full spectrum conversion is a good and flexible alternative to an astro filter.

A Full Spectrum Camera can be combined with following screw-on filters:

• 550 nm
• 630 nm
• 700 nm
• 830 nm
• InfraBlue
• Normal

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

550 nm Infrared Filter

The weakest infrared filter is a 550 nm long-pass filter that allows the spectrum to pass from 550 nm to the deep IR of 1,200 nm. This orange piece of glass is hardly interesting for black and white infrared photography, but offers the possibility to generate an image with blue sky and red foliage. This is very close to the analog infrared film "Kodak Aerochrome" - an image effect that many infrared photographers are looking for. Post-processing is a bit more involved because a double channel swap has to be done (red-blue and green-blue). With the channel mixer and some experimentation, many other image effects are possible. As the weakest infrared filter, it can also be combined with a great number of other infrared filters.

A camera with a built-in 550 nm filter can be combined with the following screw-on filters:

• 630 nm
• 700 nm
• 830 nm

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

630 nm Infrared Filter

The 630 nm filter allows light in the range from 630 nm to 1,200 nm to pass through. It is used primarily in color infrared photography. The red piece of glass can generate a blue sky in combination with golden foliage. Post-processing is slightly less involved than with the 550 nm filter, but a red-blue channel swap is still necessary to get a blue sky and golden foliage. The basic color saturation in the image is very high and you don't have to move the sliders too much to get a good image result. But also partially desaturated images (Colorkey) and black and white images can be created with this filter.

It does not provide the most intense black and white infrared image, but is still good for black and white shots. Especially those who are looking for more "Shades of Grey" in treetops instead of a very bright white will appreciate this filter also for monochrome infrared images. For a stronger black and white infrared image effect, the 700 nm filter is recommended. A similar image impression, but without the need for channel swapping, is provided by the InfraBlue Filter.

A camera with a built-in 630 nm filter can be combined with the following screw-on filters:

• 700 nm
• 830 nm

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

700 nm Infrared Filter

A 700 nm filter lets the light from 700 to 1,200 nm pass through. When you hold it in your hands, you have virtually a black disk in front of your eyes. The 700 nm filter can be considered a "real" infrared filter, because it does not let through any significant parts of the visible light. It can be used for color IR as well as black and white infrared images. It is the most commonly used filter and is always recommended for undecided "beginners" in infrared photography.

For black and white infrared photography, the filter provides a very high contrast image with almost white foliage and dark sky. It is true that stronger IR filters provide a little more intense image results, but at the expense of sensitivity. If the focus is more on color IR photography, the 630 nm or InfraBlue filter is a good alternative.

A camera with a built-in 700 nm filter can be combined with the following screw-on filters:

• 830 nm

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

830 nm Infrared Filter

With the 830 nm filter, color images are no longer possible; it provides exclusively monochrome infrared images. The B&W results are only a little more intense than with the 700 nm filter. However, this small advantage is bought with a significantly lower sensitivity. The filter absorbs about 2 EV of light, which is why it cannot be recommended without reservation as the best black and white infrared filter. In general, the higher sensitivity of the 700 nm filter is worth more than the small plus in infrared contrast. With a 700 nm filter and a bit of post-processing, this gap can be closed very easily. Only if there is a technical necessity, this filter is advisable.

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

InfraBlue Filter

The InfraBlue filter is a multibandpass filter that greatly simplifies post-processing of the IR image. It delivers similar image results like the 630 nm filter, i.e. a blue sky and yellow foliage. However, the InfraBlue filter does not require any channel swapping: You can see the final image on the camera display. This is particularly useful if the camera is used for infrared filming.

Besides the simple possibility to create color IR images, the filter is also very good for monochrome IR images or Colorkey images. Due to the high saturation of the file, a channel mixer can be used for the black and white conversion, which offers a lot of control over the image result.

A camera with a built-in InfraBlue filter can be combined with the following screw-on filters:

• 700 nm
• 830 nm

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

Normal Filter (Hotmirror)

The name says it all. This filter is a UV/IR blocking filter and only allows visible light to pass onto the sensor. On a Full Spectrum Camera, such a screw-on filter can be installed in order take "normal" pictures again. Thus, only one camera can be used for both infrared and normal photography.

Download RAW Files: Motiv 1 | Motiv 2

Free Infrared RAW files for Download

Filter knowledge - different types of infrared filters

Long pass infrared filter

Long pass infrared filters only allow light of a certain wavelength to pass through. A 700 nm filter, for example, allows light in the range from 700 nm to 1,200 nm to reach the sensor (even longer wavelength light arrives at the sensor but can not be detected by it). Shorter wavelengths below 700 nm (i.e. the range visible to humans) are blocked and do not reach the sensor.

From a wavelength of approx. 830 nm and furhter, only black and white infrared can be photographed. If you want to shoot color infrared images, at least some shorter wavelength must also reach the sensor. As a rule of thumb, the weaker a filter is, the better it is suited for color IR imaging. As a flip side, weak infrared filters provide less intense black and white images. Even if you are only interested in black and white images, I recommend the 700 nm filter for black and white infrared photos (see the profile for more details).

Multispectral Infrared Filters

Multispectral infrared filters allow light from different parts of the spectrum to pass through. The sensor sees a mixture of infrared light and visible light in different ratios. The transmission curves of these filters are relatively complex, but the image look they generate in camera simplifies post-processing enormously. These filters are mainly used in color infrared photography, but black and white infrared photography is also possible. With multispectral filters, you get a blue sky already in the camera (without channel swapping). These filters are also more suitable for filming in the infrared range, because post-processing is reduced to a minimum.