Trying to find an infrared camera conversion service provider? Check out this global list of businesses and learn about helpful details.
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of companies offering some form of infrared camera conversion service. It will not tell you who offers the “best” infrared camera conversion service, but rather inform you about your choices.
Originally part of the Infrared Photography Tutorial, I decided to dedicate a separate article to this topic as the list of companies grew longer. As an additional benefit, I have now included additional information for each of the companies.
1.Why a global infrared camera conversion service listing?
There are actually three reasons why I decided to publish this listing:
- You might simply not be aware of some of the companies listed, or the type of service they offer
- “The world is a village” – sending cameras around the globe is easy these days (just make sure you follow the recommendations at the bottom of this article)
- I am not aware of an existing comparable list. There are some for just the US, but I have not found anything covering the entire globe.
Instead of just listing links to the companies, I tried to add information about the type of services they offer. For example, which camera brands they can modify and how long a conversion might take. On purpose, I have not included pricing information.
2. Australia
2a.Camera Clinic / Imaging by Design
March 14, 2022: Camera Clinic announced that they will close their business as of April 1, 2022. You can read their full announcement on their website.
September 26, 2017: After a reminder, Camera Clinic responded within a few hours. Their response was polite, very detailed and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | http://www.cameraclinic.com.au/ |
Address: | 56 Easey Street Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia |
Opening hours: | Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm |
Phone number: | +61 3 9419 5247 |
Email address: | info@camera-clinic.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared, Full Spectrum |
Camera brands: | Canon (all DSLRs and most compacts), Fuji, Leica (only compacts), Nikon, Sony (all DSLRs & mirrorless, some compacts), Pentax, Panasonic, Olympus, Phase One and Hasselblad backs, DJI X3, Gopro 3, 4, 5 |
Filter material used: | Schott glass and custom made Baader Ultraviolet Venus filters |
Approximate turnaround time: | 10 working days for stock filters |
Warranty on modification: | 6 month warranty |
Other comments: | Where possible, the ultrasonic cleaning system is preserved Correct manual and auto focus to match a focal length of choice, pre-set custom White balance Maintain Nikon and Leica manufactures warranty Mask internal IR light to reduce flare from IR shutter sensor during long exposure. A class clean air work booth Other conversions offered: flash to IR, video / focus assist light to IR and UV flash |
3. Germany
3a.IRreCams Infrarot Fotografie
November 28, 2017: IRreCams responded within a few hours of my inquiry. Their response was polite and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | https://irrecams.de/ (in German) https://irrecams.de/en/ (in English) |
Address: | Moorberg 8c 18573 Dreschvitz Germany |
Opening hours: | Always (just call anytime) |
Phone number: | +49 38306 622513 +49 151 54848914 (Mobile) |
Email address: | info@irrecams.de |
Type of conversions offered: | Infrared (630/700/830nm), Full Spectrum and NDVI possible. A lot of other wavelengths upon request. |
Camera brands: | Canon (EOS M only), Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung, Sony. No compact cameras with small sensor. |
Filter material used: | High quality optical glass (Schott and Hebo from Germany) |
Approximate turnaround time: | up to 14 days |
Warranty on modification: | 1 year |
Other comments: | Purchase of already converted cameras is possible upon request. Dust-removal system of the camera is protected whenever possible. Customers from EU and Switzerland only. |
3b.OPTIC MAKARIO
September 25, 2017: OPTIC MAKARIO responded after a week, asking me to change their company name to capitals. Their response was very brief and did not contain any other information.
Website: | http://www.optic-makario.de/ (in German) |
Address: | Aachener Straße 61 41061 Mönchengladbach Germany |
Opening hours: | Mo – Do 10:00 – 17:00 Uhr Fr 10:00 – 16:00 Uhr |
Phone number: | +49 2161 175711 |
Email address: | optic@optic-makario.de |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared, Full Spectrum |
Camera brands: | Nikon, Canon, Sony, Leica, Konica-Minolta, Pentax, Panasonic, Fuji, Progress, others |
Filter material used: | n/a |
Approximate turnaround time: | n/a |
Warranty on modification: | 6 months |
Other comments: | For Nikon models, the manufacturer warranty will remain intact |
4. United Kingdom
4a.Advanced Camera Services (ACS)
September 26, 2017: After a reminder, Advanced Camera Services (ACS) responded within a few hours. Their response was formal and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | http://advancedcameraservices.co.uk/ |
Address: | Unit 10 Linmore Court Threxton Road Industrial Estate Watton, Norfolk IP25 6NG United Kingdom |
Opening hours: | 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday |
Phone number: | +44 1953 889 324 |
Email address: | enquiries@advancedcameraservices.co.uk |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared (590/665/720/780/830nm), Full Spectrum |
Camera brands: | Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras as well as all Fuji X Series cameras, Panasonic Lumix G Series, Sony Alpha or NEX cameras, Pentax, G Range compact and M Series cameras, DJI X5 cameras and selected Canon Video cameras |
Filter material used: | Selected Hoya and Schott glass |
Approximate turnaround time: | 15 working days |
Warranty on modification: | 6 months guarantee for parts and labour |
Other comments: | Clean air environment Hires out IR and UV converted digital SLRs with associated flash systems – prices on application IR lights and also modifications to flashguns for both UV and IR |
4b.Alan Burch
November 27, 2017: Alan Burch replied within less than an hour of my inquiry. His response was polite and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information he provided.
Website: | http://www.infraredcameraconversions.com/ |
Address: | Woody Bay House, 9 Fishers St. Lawrence, Ventnor Isle of Wight, PO38 1UU United Kingdom |
Opening hours: | 8am – 7pm |
Phone number: | +44 1983 852966 |
Email address: | alan@infraredcameraconversions.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Infrared (590/680/720/850nm), Full Spectrum |
Camera brands: | Canon, Fuji and Sony mirrorless cameras |
Filter material used: | Mainly Hoya and Schott |
Approximate turnaround time: | 3-4 days |
Warranty on modification: | 12 months |
Other comments: | Sells already converted cameras, Offers Unique Sony A7 Series Full Spectrum Modification, Full Spectrum Conversions from £100 |
4c.Protech Photographic
October 4, 2017: Protech Photographic replied within a few hours of my inquiry. Their response was cordial and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | http://www.protechrepairs.co.uk/ |
Address: | Unit 1, Vulcan House Farm, Coopers Green Uckfield TN22 4AT United Kingdom |
Opening hours: | By appointment only |
Phone number: | +44 1825 732730 |
Email address: | enquiries@protechrepairs.co.uk |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared (590/665/720/830nm), Full Spectrum |
Camera brands: | Nikon (most DSLR’s), Canon (most DSLR’s, some Powershot’s and some EOS M), Sony (mirrorless including Sony A series and some NEX), Panasonic (most mirrorless), Fuji (mirrorless ), Olympus (mirrorless), GoPro models |
Filter material used: | Schott Glass for Infrared and Full Spectrum conversions, optical quality glass for Ultraviolet conversions. |
Approximate turnaround time: | Normally 1-2 weeks, for special orders 2-3 weeks |
Warranty on modification: | 12 months warranty on service work |
Other comments: | Conversions for many other uses including Forensic, Specialist Scientific uses, Film-making as well as for drone cameras both in the UK and abroad Sells already converted cameras, both new and secondhand |
5. United States
5a.Kolari Vision
September 19, 2017: Kolari Vision responded within a few hours of my inquiry. Their response was polite, very detailed and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | https://kolarivision.com/ |
Address: | South Suite B15 1124 US-202 Raritan, NJ 08869 United States |
Opening hours: | 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |
Phone number: | +1 844 565 2741 |
Email address: | kolarivision@gmail.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Infrared (590/665/720/850nm), Full Spectrum, Two Spectrum, H-alpha, NDVI, Sony A7 thin filter modifications |
Camera brands: | Almost every camera on the market, more than 750 models |
Filter material used: | Primarily Schott glass, also some other fine optical grade glass where the quality of Schott materials can be exceeded. |
Approximate turnaround time: | Usually less than 5 business days |
Warranty on modification: | 1 year, on already converted cameras or camera conversions |
Other comments: | The only company offering a hotspot reducing anti-reflective (AR) coating Sells already converted cameras Dust free ISO Class 5 clean air bench Free international return shipping on conversions Partnership with an authorized repair center for Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sigma, and Sony Duty and VAT free infrared conversions in the EU are available through authorized partner (EU partner uses a simplified process) |
5b.Life Pixel
September 19, 2017: Life Pixel responded within a few hours of my inquiry. Their response was polite, detailed and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | https://www.lifepixel.com/ |
Address: | 13024 Beverly Park Road Suite 101 Mukilteo, WA 98275 United States |
Opening hours: | Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm PST |
Phone number: | +1 866 610 1710 |
Email address: | service@lifepixel.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared (590/665/720/830nm), Super Blue IR (Blue + Infrared), Full Spectrum, H-Alpha, NDVI, AA removal |
Camera brands: | Quote: ‘Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Leica, Ricoh, DJI, Some Pentax. Pretty much anything digital that is possible to convert’ |
Filter material used: | Schott glass |
Approximate turnaround time: | Usually 5 to 10 business days, 1-2 business days rush processing available |
Warranty on modification: | 1 year warranty on all camera conversion services |
Other comments: | Free live one-on-one training session with every conversion Complimentary 8×12″ print from Digital Silver with every conversion Sells already converted cameras, both new and used Offers DIY IR Filters and provide IR conversion tutorials Offers infrared workshops all around the US Class 5 clean air environment |
5c.MaxMax.com – Llewellyn Data Processing (LDP LLC)
September 19, 2017: MaxMax.com responded within less than an hour to my inquiry. Their response was formal, very detailed and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | https://www.maxmax.com/ |
Address: | 220 Broad Street Carlstadt, NJ 07072 United States |
Opening hours: | Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM EST |
Phone number: | +1 201 505 1566 |
Email address: | sales@maxmax.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Ultraviolet, Infrared (590/665/715/830nm), UV-VIS-IR (Full Spectrum), H-alpha, NDVI, Monochrome, Hyperspectral and others |
Camera brands: | Many brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Olympus, Samsung, DJI, Casio, Panasonic, USB industrial cameras, GoPro and others. |
Filter material used: | Depends on the conversion type, usually Schott glass for Infrared and Full Spectrum conversions |
Approximate turnaround time: | Usually 1 or 2 days after receipt |
Warranty on modification: | Quote: ‘The camera will work correctly when the customer gets it. If camera later gets a problem related to our conversion, which almost never occurs, we have repaired cameras years later.’ |
Other comments: | Only company offering monochrome conversions (on a selected range of cameras) Class 100 optical cleanbench Sells already converted cameras Plasma chamber which cleans the glass to an atomic level |
5d.Spencer’s Camera & Photo
September 28, 2017: After a reminder, Spencer’s Camera & Photo replied within 3 business days. Their response was formal, detailed and did address all my questions. I have updated the sections below with the information they provided.
Website: | http://www.spencerscamera.com |
Address: | 696 Grove Drive Alpine, UT 84004 United States |
Opening hours: | Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, most Fridays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Phone number: | +1 801 367 7569 |
Email address: | info@spencerscamera.com |
Type of conversions offered: | Infrared, Full Spectrum and Astrophotography specific modifications |
Camera brands: | Almost every digital camera on the market |
Filter material used: | Scientific Microscopic Image quality glass (IR and Astrophotography filters) and Quartz (Full Spectrum) |
Approximate turnaround time: | Only a few days or less |
Warranty on modification: | 12 month in-house warranty |
Other comments: | Cleanroom filter installation Sells pre-modified cameras to your specifications, new and used models available Sells On-Lens IR Filters Added sensor heat reduction system installation available (reduces image noise for Astrophotography) Reinstallation of sensor dust cleaning system available for most models Custom Filter orders upon request |
Do you find this provider overview helpful? To show your appreciation, why not buy me a coffee? ☕ No subscription. No further obligations. Just a quick and simple sign of gratitude. 🙏
6.What do I need to pay attention to?
There are a couple of things I would recommend paying attention to, when it comes to IR camera conversions:
- Be aware that converting your camera will usually void the manufacturer warranty, unless noted otherwise. For this reason, it is usually best to use an older model which is no longer under warranty. The exceptions to this rule are Camera Clinic in Australia (maintaining the warranty of Nikon and Leica cameras) and Optic Macario in Germany (maintaining the warranty of Nikon cameras).
- Filter material: The replacement filter should be made out of high quality optical glass, not plastic material. It makes a difference optically and when you need to clean your sensor at some point (plastic scratches more easily).
- Conversion type: Make sure you understand the differences between the various filter options. In my infrared filter comparison, you can see the result each of the filters produces, together with some helpful tips on using them.
7.Which company should I choose?
What probably makes sense for you is to choose a company close to you or at least within your economic area. For example: if you live in Europe, you should probably choose a company located within the EU. Otherwise you have to be careful when sending your camera abroad.
7a.Be aware of black sheep
Especially from companies in the US, I did receive a surprising amount of information about low quality conversions done by competitors – including, but not limited to:
- Using paper shims instead of metal shims to adjust the sensor position
- Filters being glued or taped to the sensor
- Using low quality glass or plastic
- Dust between the filter and the sensor
If you look at the websites of the companies above, some of them offer example pictures of low quality conversions on their websites. But how can you as a customer assess the reputation of your chosen provider? Here are my recommendations:
- If a conversion is too cheap to be true, it probably is.
- Try to find information about the company you have chosen:
- You can look them up on review sites like sitejabber or Yelp
- Check the Google reviews for that company
- Or just google for ‘company name review’ to find comments left elsewhere
- Don’t be afraid to contact your company of choice before you send them your camera. If they are professionals, they will patiently answer your questions.
8.Please help make this list even more useful
There are at least two ways you can help make this list of infrared camera conversion service providers even more useful for anyone trying to find the right provider:
- Are you aware of other companies offering IR conversion services? Please leave a comment below or contact me and I will gladly add it to the list.
- Do you have past experience with one or more of the listed providers? Good or bad, we would like to hear about it. Please consider leaving a comment on this page, where you describe your experience.
Thanks for your help to keep the ultimate list of infrared camera conversion service providers up-to-date!
Can you support this site?
Do you find this article helpful? To show your appreciation, why not buy me a coffee? ☕ No subscription. No further obligations. Just a quick and simple sign of gratitude. 🙏
Read about the important difference your contribution makes. 😊
Hi Robert
In your research, have you come across any of these companies who would repair the sensor rot found so often in Leica CCD sensors?
(Leica have now stopped their repair service)
It is my understanding that the fungus or whatever it is, is really something that happens between the filters and the actual sensor. Presumably a change of filter and a sensor cleaning could solve the problem (and not necessarily convert to IR)
thanks for your great job !
I am sorry, but Leica does not seem to be high on the list of companies offering IR conversions. Unfortunately I cannot help in this case.
Anyone know who does IR conversions in Canada?
Just curios: is it a huge effort to send a camera from CA to US for conversion?
Great resource this site is, thank you so much for that! I’m just contemplating getting into IR with an old K20D with less than 10k clicks I was able to pick up dirt cheap.
Found a company in my own country, the Netherlands. Dutch Digital Works at https://www.dutchdigitalworks.nl/
I talked to them about converting my K20D. Prices seem to be right in line with the other offerings and the guy responsed to me email questions within a few hours.
Mike – thank you for letting us know about the site and for sharing your experience. Unfortunately they don’t have an English version of their site, so this is primarily of use to the people of the Netherlands. What concerns me a bit is that they don’t have any information available about the filters and the environment they use for converting the camera. We don’t know if they use glass or plastic filters and if the conversions are carried out in a clean room environment.
Nevertheless, please let us know how your conversion went in case you will have your K20D modified by them.
Robert, your last point is well taken. I was quite curious because the guy tried to talk me into a full spectrum mod rather than a 590nm with the argument he could not guarantee a dust-free conversion – thought hisanswer a bit strange TBH.
After that I talked to Sven of IRreCams in Germany and he was all business as you have noted. Great response and very helpful.
Only thing is that he offers only 55nm or 630nm conversions not the 580/590 I was actually after. Do you think I would see a huge difference? I do not particularly like the red chromakey-like foliage after the double channel swap on the 550 and much prefer the gold/yellow of the 590. I converted a few 630nm raws with Darktable out of curiosity and not entirely sure I like the “flat” blues of the sky.
Well, that’s indeed a weird response – besides than the glass, there should be no difference between a full spectrum and a 590nm conversion?
I don’t think it will make a significant difference, tbh. You have already found what you like and what not – the rest can easily be fixed in software.
This site is GOLD !!! Those informations are so good.
Thanks
Thank you Steinar. I am happy to hear you found the information on this website useful.
Hi Robert!
The homepage of IRreCams (Germany) is now available in english aswell.
https://irrecams.de/en/
Regards
Uli
Thanks a lot for the update Uli! I have already changed the entry accordingly. Cheers!
Recently used Camera Clinic in Melbourne Australia. I had already purchased a Baader BCF filter with the intention of doing my own mod but decided to get it done professionally. The quoted price to replace filter with the one provided plus calabrate autofocus after fitting was about 1/2 of the listed price with them providing filter. Saved heaps of $s by supplying my own filter. I was very happy with service and I received back in regional Qld exactly 7 days after i posted my camera to them. Highly recommend.
Thank you Trevor, I am sure that readers of this article will find your comment very useful.
Hi,
I am interested to convert my camera to full spectrum infrared by my own.Do you know where can i find the clear glass for the sensor somewhere in Europe.My camera is a fujifilm x-e2 and the lens i use most of the time is the fujinon 14mm.
Thank you
Alexander
Hi Alexander – while I do not have this information available, I know that some of the companies on this page will sell you the glass for the conversion. Just look at their websites or contact them directly.
I have had two cameras converted by LifePixel, one a Nikon D200 to Standard IR (720 nm) and a Nikon D7100 to full spectrum conversion. They did a pre-set white balance on the Nikon D7100. There has been some issues with getting a good white balance pre-set on the D7100. LifePixel maintains a listing of lenses that exhibit the so called hot spot.
Kolarivision UV bandpass filters are much less expensive than the Baader Venus filter (recommended by LifePixel.) The Kolarivision filter is AR coated glass.
Both companies usually respond to queries within a few hours and are very patient and thorough with their responses. . Both companies maintain an extensive knowledge base, with information, tutorials, advice, as well as extensive galleries. I recommend thoroughly reading and studying both sites before (and after) modifying a camera. I have just discovered Spencer’s Camera conversion service. I have not had time to explore their extensive site, but it seems to be equal to LifePixel and Kolarivision for information. These three companies three companies in addition to camera conversions, offer various filter options, cameras, flashes, drones, sensor repair, etc.
In the US, I would recommend contacting Nikon concerning the warranty. It is my belief that any work done on a Nikon camera by anyone other than Nikon voids the warranty.
I am testing Zomei IR bandpass filters, these are glass and anodized aluminum and appear to be well made. They are a less expensive option than those offered by the conversion services.
The Nikon D200 with the standard IR conversion (720 nm) exhibits a strong red tint as straight from the camera JPEGs.
IrfanView is a free picture viewing program that corrects the red tint to a black and white JPEG image. Various plug-ins are available. It is a Windows program, I have used it with Windows XP and Windows 7.
Barry, thank you for sharing your experiences. I am sure readers will appreciate the feedback.
Very informative article.
I had my Fuji X100T converted by Isaac Szabo (https://www.isaacszabo.com/infrared.html), with good results. He is located in the US.
Cheers,
Dragos
Thank you for sharing the link Dragos. I am sure readers of this article will appreciate it.
Hi Robert,
I sent my Olympus OMD EM1 to Kolari Vision for a full spectrum conversion.
Very happy with the conversion and service.
From the time I sent the camera, to the time I receive it back was 12 days. 4 days transit to the USA, 4 days for the conversion & and 4 days transit back.
In regard to the Export/Import Documents: The customs declaration I completed for the Export indicated it was a Repair, and the camera would be returned to Australia. No problems with the customs entry, as it was a repair return.
Thank you very much for sharing your feedback Robert! I am also using an OM-D E-M1 converted to full spectrum, so I know you will enjoy it a lot :-)
Hi Robert.
did you use the Kolari anti smudge clear filter, I am looking for a feed back about those new filters.
best regards
Georges
I brought a Sony A7ii on E-bay & had it shipped direct to Alan Burch for full spectrum conversion.
He did an excellent job & was also very helpful with advice both on the conversion & regarding clip in filters (behind the lens) to give back normal operation. My timing may have been lucky but he actually got the conversion/recalibration done & the system sent on to me on the day the camera was due to arrive with him.
Couldn’t ask for better service.
Mike, thanks a lot for sharing this feedback!
Hello Robert –
We do list two Euro conversion services in one of our Stickies, but my list is certainly not as extensive as yours. So I’m *very* happy to find out about your website from one of my members. I will add a reference to it on our site, UltravioletPhotography.com. (For the record, most of my members also make IR photos. Our website name should perhaps contain UV/Vis/IR/Etc. )
A topic which should be addressed somewhere on the web pages of any conversion service is the presence of the IR shutter monitors in some Nikon and Sony camera bodies. Any full spectrum or UV conversion of such a body will produce photographs contamined by the IR-LED shutter monitor light. I have personally also seen contamination in IR photographs made with such a body although, of course, it is somewhat less noticeable. So do please make sure that your conversion services all know about this problem and mention it somewhere on their web pages.
I see that one of your conversion services offers to “mask” the offending IR-LED. It is my understanding that masking the light would cause a shutter failure message of some kind, but I have no proof of that. We know of one successful replacement of an IR-LED shutter monitor light by an individual, but so far do not know of any conversion service which offers that. Perhaps you could talk further with the converter and get more details about IR-LED masking?
I have personally received good conversions from three of the US suppliers: Life Pixel, Kolari and MaxMax and these three US converters are all aware of the IR shutter monitor problem. I have forum members who have received good conversions from Advanced Camera Services and from Optik Makario. (Readers may pretend that OM’s name is capitalized. Too much trouble to type.)
Our primary quibble with Optik Makario is that they do not provide transmission charts for the internal replacement filters they offer. This makes no sense because who would want to convert a camera without knowing what transmission interval they might expect to record? So do be sure to check whether your listed converters freely make transmission charts available.
Also the Optik Makario comment on your listing states that for Nikon models, the warranty will remain intact. How can that possibly be true when the camera has been opened up and the internal filtration replaced? I am skeptical.
I personally had a bad experience with Spencer’s in the US a few years ago. They used a plastic filter for a full spectrum D700 conversion and apparently did not test it. The D700 had an IR-LED shutter monitor and produced contaminated photos in UV, Visible and IR work. One can only hope that Spencer’s has since learned to make better conversions.
My members have had mixed results with various Ebay conversion services due to dust trapped under the new filter or by the use of inferior Chinese ZBW or QB filtration. Let the buyer beware! I will not currently list any Ebay only converters.
I hope that the preceding comments will be helpful to you.
Keep up the good work on this very useful list of converters!
Best regards,
Andrea G Blum
Owner/Admin with Bjørn Birna Rørslett of UltravioletPhotography.com
Hello Andrea, thank you very much for the comment on the IR LED issue affecting some Nikon and Sony cameras. I have read about it previously, but will include it specifically in my next round of updates with the suppliers.
Your comments regarding the various conversion providers are extremely valuable. The collective experiences of your forum members do help a lot, for sure. Fully agree with your comment on eBay conversions, I am not planning to endorse those, either. Optic Makario explicitly states on their homepage that warranty remains intact only for Nikon cameras, but no other brands. Since this is mentioned multiple times, they might have an agreement with Nikon on how the conversion is carried out. They do offer transmission charts here: http://www.optic-makario.de/transmissionskurven/. Looking at the cutoff frequencies, I am under the impression that they use the same material for their filters and their camera conversions.
I did look at your forum structure – in which of the forums can I expect to find feedback on conversions? Is it the “UV/IR Techniques, Tests & Gear Talk” forum? I would be happy to update my article with an appropriate link. Btw I would like to thank you for the post where you link to my website, this is very much appreciated!
FYI I know your forum since I started diving into IR photography – I have read especially the Nikon lens IR reviews numerous times, but also the comments on the various filters. It was very useful to me. Bjørn’s website – especially his Nikon lens reviews – I know since my early Nikon days. I can probably cite some of his reviews by heart :-D
Thanks to both of you for what you have done for and shared with the community. I will use your comments to update this page once I get new information from the service providers.
Kind regards, Robert
Hi Andrea
i am looking to convert to full spectrum an Eos 5D so I don’t want to mess that conversion. I was interested by Spencer Camera because now the are supposed to reinstall the piezo anti dust system…But I am not too sure, many bad return from people using they services…I wonder if you have any information on Kolari new +++ anti smudge filters (clear filter conversion on Eos 5D (500 $) is it worth besides Life pixel (350$).
But for me it is not a question of money, but quality, and duuuust ;–))
Best regards
Georges
I have used KolariVision in the States several times. Their service is impeccable, with same day replies to any queries. I also fell foul of re-importing my camera the first time I used them. After a few days of emails and a phone call or two where I needed to convince them it was always my camera, I eventually got UK customs to release my camera to me.
Since then, KolariVision set up some sort of European depot whereby my subsequent conversions somehow came to me from Europe. I am not sure if they still do that. I have emailed them today on the matter as I am sending another one to them this week.
Rory, thank you for the feedback on KolariVision, this is very much appreciated. I am glad you got your camera back :-)
My plan is to send my dslr to US for conversion. You’ve mentioned “formal registration” of camera before doing so, just to avoid tax issues. What kind of registration do you mean? At camera manufcturer’s site or custom office?
Best regards, Piotr
What I meant was registration with your local customs office, so they can recognize the camera once it is sent back to you. Also, when you complete the declaration form for your shipping company, you should mention that this is a temporary export, for modification purposes only. But they will likely mention this as part of their shipping instructions. Hope that helps.
Hi,
Thank you for the very useful list! You might add
http://www.infraredcameraconversions.co.uk
to the list. I bought a full-spectrum converted Sony A5000 (no glass replacement, focuses at infinity) from them and so far so good. No experience of these:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/cat/c17_DSLR-Cameras-and-Accessories.html
https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/filters/dslr-astro-conversion.html
https://www.primalucelab.com/astronomy/modified-dslr/
Best Regards, Pekka
Thank you Pekka for the comment! Glad to hear about your good experience. I will get in contact with the company and see what they would like to share, they seem to focus on mirrorless camera conversions. The other three links are certainly useful references for people interested in astro-photography conversions.