Infrared Cameras
Infrared photography in the past used film cameras with special film to record spectacular imagery. The issue with old-school Infrared Cameras is that it is very difficult to handle IR film (refrigeration, keeping it in total darkness, etc). Sometimes the cameras themselves have to be taped in order to block out all light from entering the box and exposing the sensitive Infrared film. Filters also need to be placed on the camera in order to get the desired results but unfortunately block out all visible light, making focusing these Infrared cameras much more difficult.
Digital Infrared cameras made Infrared photography much easier because they do not use film. Newer Infrared cameras rely upon electronics to be able to see into the Near Infrared spectrum of light (approximately 750nm-1200nm) which is just above the visible range of light (what human eyesight can see).
Infrared photography in the past used film cameras with special film to record spectacular imagery. The issue with old-school Infrared Cameras is that it is very difficult to handle IR film (refrigeration, keeping it in total darkness, etc). Sometimes the cameras themselves have to be taped in order to block out all light from entering the box and exposing the sensitive Infrared film. Filters also need to be placed on the camera in order to get the desired results but unfortunately block out all visible light, making focusing these Infrared cameras much more difficult.
Digital Infrared cameras made Infrared photography much easier because they do not use film. Newer Infrared cameras rely upon electronics to be able to see into the Near Infrared spectrum of light (approximately 750nm-1200nm) which is just above the visible range of light (what human eyesight can see).
In order for the camera to be able to see this range, Infrared cameras are typically created by modifying a standard camera through the removal of the IR-cut filter or “hot mirror.” This filter is placed within the optics of most digital cameras in order to make the camera's eye (called a CCD chip) see the same range of light as we do, keeping the colors the same. To remove this filter in digital cameras in order to create a camera that can see Infrared is a tricky process.
Using Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras can be used for taking beautiful photographs that look “other-worldly.” They can also be used to see in the dark when Infrared lighting is used for various purposes, including ghost investigation. Stock cameras that are made to see in the dark from the manufacturer are still filtered to keep the range of light more near the visible spectrum. They produce normal looking photographs in daylight like any other stock camera and do not see as far into the Near Infrared range. This is not the same thing.
Using Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras can be used for taking beautiful photographs that look “other-worldly.” They can also be used to see in the dark when Infrared lighting is used for various purposes, including ghost investigation. Stock cameras that are made to see in the dark from the manufacturer are still filtered to keep the range of light more near the visible spectrum. They produce normal looking photographs in daylight like any other stock camera and do not see as far into the Near Infrared range. This is not the same thing.
The Cost of Infrared Cameras
Because expertise is required to alter the optics, Infrared cameras can be quite costly to acquire. To have your digital camera converted will cost hundreds of dollars. However, there is a more affordable option. Recently, new and used compact digital cameras have been made available that can see an expanded range and are reasonably priced. These altered models are called a UV-Vis-IR conversion.
These "Infrared cameras" can see the upper Ultraviolet Light spectrum, the Visible Light spectrum, as well as the Near Infrared Light spectrum. The potential range of sight is from 330nm – 1200 nm, offering a more “full spectrum” of capture beyond what the human eye can normally see. Not only are these cameras a better option for paranormal investigation, but they can also work to produce stunning images during daylight without filtering out the visible range with an IR pass filter. This makes these inexpensive Infrared cameras a great option for artists and photography enthusiasts to begin Infrared photography! With the added use of photo-editing software, images taken with digital Infrared cameras can be easily enhanced for spectacular results.
Left:
The three photos were taken with our Infrared camera with different white balance settings that produced the different hues of colors. This Infrared-seeing camera can produce stunning images during the daylight. Notice how the tree leaves and grass appear white on a sunny day, showing a beautiful lavender sky and mono-chromatic home. You can also take Infrared photographs into a simple photo-editing program and adjust the hue to enhance or tint the colors differently.
Because expertise is required to alter the optics, Infrared cameras can be quite costly to acquire. To have your digital camera converted will cost hundreds of dollars. However, there is a more affordable option. Recently, new and used compact digital cameras have been made available that can see an expanded range and are reasonably priced. These altered models are called a UV-Vis-IR conversion.
These "Infrared cameras" can see the upper Ultraviolet Light spectrum, the Visible Light spectrum, as well as the Near Infrared Light spectrum. The potential range of sight is from 330nm – 1200 nm, offering a more “full spectrum” of capture beyond what the human eye can normally see. Not only are these cameras a better option for paranormal investigation, but they can also work to produce stunning images during daylight without filtering out the visible range with an IR pass filter. This makes these inexpensive Infrared cameras a great option for artists and photography enthusiasts to begin Infrared photography! With the added use of photo-editing software, images taken with digital Infrared cameras can be easily enhanced for spectacular results.
Left:
The three photos were taken with our Infrared camera with different white balance settings that produced the different hues of colors. This Infrared-seeing camera can produce stunning images during the daylight. Notice how the tree leaves and grass appear white on a sunny day, showing a beautiful lavender sky and mono-chromatic home. You can also take Infrared photographs into a simple photo-editing program and adjust the hue to enhance or tint the colors differently.