Infrared photography is a fascinating discipline. Rather than recording the colors we see with the naked eye, it captures light in the infrared spectrum, where bright skies become jet black, and foliage takes on whitish hues, lending images an otherworldly feel.
Our eyes can see a range of colors occupying light wavelengths between about 380 and 750 nanometres (nm). Colors at the low end of that range appear to us as violet, while those at the high end have a deep red look. As such, light wavelengths below this visible spectrum are referred to as "ultraviolet", while those above it are called, yes, "infrared".
Infrared (or IR) photography enables us to capture details that aren't visible to the naked eye. The technique is mainly used for surreal landscapes. To capture infrared images, you will need a specialized infrared filter that blocks visible light and only allows light in the infrared spectrum to reach the camera's sensor.
However, most digital cameras have an 'IR cut' filter built onto the sensor, which prevents infrared light from fogging images in regular photography. To counter this, extremely lengthy exposures – often several minutes long – are required to enable enough light to pass through.
For the very best results, you can have your camera's IR cut filter removed. This is a job best left to one of the many professional companies that perform this specialized service, and as this is a permanent modification that will adversely affect regular photography, this is usually done with older camera bodies to give them a second lease of life.
Infrared filters will appear almost black to our eyes, with maybe a slight reddish tint. Put one on your lens, and you likely won't be able to see a thing through the viewfinder (as visible light is blocked), so you'll need to compose first and use a slow shutter speed to give your camera enough time to gather the light required for the scene.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in black and white.
The Quick List
Available in sizes between 46 and 95mm, the R72 filter hits the sweet spot of performance, build quality, and price.
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Built using high-grade Schott glass, the Filter Plus+ comes in sizes between 37 and 95mm, with 20 layers of protective coating.
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With a 760nm rating rather than the more typical 720nm, this slimline aluminum filter is available in a range of sizes, up to 112mm.
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This square filter works with Cokin’s filter holder system, so you can use it with different-sized lenses and remove it while composing.
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With a beefed-up rating of 830nm, this filter produces black-and-white shots with no color tint, resulting in pure infrared images.
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This filter has a weakened rating of 695nm, which means more visible light joins the infrared spectrum – great for creative effects.
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Best infrared filters for photography
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Best infrared filter overall
The Hoya R72 is one of the most popular infrared filters around. It's a circular type, available in various thread sizes from 46mm to 95mm, so it will fit the majority of lenses, and it's constructed in high-quality milled aluminum. It's black in appearance, with a slight reddish tint when held up to the light.
Solidly blocking out light with a wavelength below 720nm (which is where the filter's name comes from), the Hoya R72 can transmit the entire infrared spectrum of 760-860nm, giving you a vivid infrared effect. Its light transmission levels in this spectrum are 95%, which means you'll see good levels of detail and won't have to leave the shutter open for half a year just to get usable results. It works really well for colour or black-and-white infrared images, which is why it's my pick as the best infrared filter for the majority of photographers.
Best premium infrared filter
Nicely presented in a well-made carry case, this is a quality filter from Urth, an eco-responsible company that offsets its manufacturing emissions with tree-planting initiatives. Using Schott glass, the filter is rated to block visible light below 720nm and features 20 layers of protective coating to guard against water drops, oil, and scratches.
There’s a wide choice of filter sizes available, from 37mm all the way up to 95mm. Double-threading means you can stack another filter over this one, giving you scope for all sorts of creative in-camera experiments.
Best budget infrared filter
The 760nm rating for this IR filter makes the Ice HB760 slightly stronger than the more common 720nm infrared filter. The company offers 850nm and 950nm options, too, all at extremely competitive prices.
Despite the bargain basement price tag, these are well-made filters. A broad selection of sizes is available, from 49mm all the way up to an oversized 112mm. The slim aluminum frame is double-threaded, so you can add another filter in front of this one for increased creative possibilities.
Best square infrared filter
Constructed from high-resolution glass with protective coatings, the Nuances Infrared 720 (89B) is available in three sizes: 84x100mm, 100x100mm, and 130x130mm. These are compatible with Cokin P, Z, and X filter holder systems, respectively, which allow multiple square filters to be used simultaneously. This system makes it easy to slip the filter out for composition, then slot it back in when it's time to take the shot.
This filter blocks out visible light up to 720nm, making it a good choice for monochrome and false-colour infrared photography. A foam seal prevents light leaks while helping keep the filter steady in its holder.
You will need to purchase a filter holder, too, if you don't already have one, which makes this a notably more expensive option than most circular filters. However, you can use the same filter with multiple lenses of different sizes, and you may appreciate the added versatility of removing the filter while framing up.
Best high-strength infrared filter
For the purists among us, the B+W 093 IR filter 830 provides an extreme filtration effect: it appears completely black to the naked eye, with no red tint visible even when held to the light, because it blocks visible light all the way up to 830nm. This means you can shoot ‘pure’ infrared in mono, and will get the kind of bright whites and deep blacks that the genre is known for, with no color tint.
Of course, this means your camera is going to be exposing for a long time to gather enough light, so be prepared for some long shutter speed times. One of the best tripods is going to be a must here.
Best low-strength infrared filter
B+W produces two infrared circular filters, and the 092 is the weaker of the two (check out the B+W 093 IR filter 830 further up the page). Available in a wide range of filter sizes all the way down to just 37mm, the 092 has a deep purple-red tint when held up to a light source.
Unlike a lot of other IR filters, the B+W 092 IR filter 695 blocks visible light only up to 650nm, so you’re not going to get ‘true’ invisible infrared results thanks to the extra visible light sneaking in. This can lead to some pretty extreme ‘false color’ images, with plenty of scope for creative experiments.
How to choose the best infrared filter
Just like most photographic filters, such as the best ND filters or the best polarizers, infrared filters come in circular or square formats. Circular filters need to be screwed onto your lens, which is more fiddly, but also more light-tight. Square filters, on the other hand, require a dedicated holder. This makes them easier to slot on and off, but adds to the expense.
A circular filter needs to be of the correct thread size for the lens you intend to use it with. Square filters are more flexible, as they can be used with different-sized lenses, just so long as you have a suitable adaptor ring (most square filters come complete with a variety of adaptor rings).
How we test infrared filters
We look at a number of different factors when testing an infrared filter's suitability for our buying guides. We check the spectrum of visible light that the filters blocks, measured in nanometres (nm), as this will tell us how strong the infrared effect is going to be. We also look at how versatile the filter is – how many thread sizes it comes in, which in layman's terms means how many lenses it's going to fit. We look at what coatings have been added to help light transmission, and also assess the quality of the filter's construction to see how well it will stand up to long-term use.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
