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:

  1. You might simply not be aware of some of the companies listed, or the type of service they offer
  2. “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)
  3. 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.

In an effort to verify and complete the information available on the websites of each of the service providers, I reached out to all them using their published email addresses. I made them aware of this page and asked them to verify the information and eventually add whatever they felt was useful for a potential customer. Where applicable, I have added a comment describing the feedback.

2. Australia

2a.Camera Clinic / Imaging by Design

June 28, 2022: The closure statement available at the link below has been updated. It looks like IR conversions are still being offered under the name of their sister company Imaging by Design. The website URL has not changed. Thanks to Mike & Lorenz for making me aware.

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

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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?

Please note that I have no affiliation with any of the companies above. But I do have experience with conversions done by Advanced Camera Services, Life Pixel and Spencer’s Camera & Photo.
Advanced Camera Services did convert for me a Nikon D50 in 2009. Life Pixel did convert for me a Nikon D3200 in 2013 and an Olympus OM-D E-M5 in 2014. Spencer’s Camera & Photo did convert for me an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in 2016. I was happy with the conversions done by either company.

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.

In 2013, I sent my Nikon D3200 (which I bought in Austria) for conversion to Life Pixel in the US. Everything went smooth, until they shipped the converted camera back to me. At this point, the Austrian tax authorities wanted to charge me import tax and VAT (again) for my own camera. It took me days of phone calls, discussions and sending documents to authorities to get my camera back. Now I understand that you need to formally register your camera before you send it abroad, to avoid what happened to me.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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!

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Picture of Robert Reiser

Robert is an enthusiast amateur photographer from Austria with a preference for black & white and infrared photography. He is an active member of the Austrian Association of Wildlife and Nature Photography (VTNÖ). In his spare time, he likes to take pictures and write about various photographic topics. More about Robert.