IR Chrome Infrared Filter Review

[@MrBillkaz]

Thanks bud just downloaded 7 vids from your channel to keep me company tonight .. still living in the truck and don’t get internet where I’m hunkered down at .! Thanks for all you do !

[@BarwickGreen]

Having seen the video, I bought one and have mixed feelings. It certainly gives a blue sky and strong foliage colours without any complex processing. What I find, however, is that the foliage in a shot tends to come out all about the same colour, the subtle differences which can be achieved between the colours of foliage on different trees are lost. I find moving the Lightroom Orange hue slider to +100 ad the red hue slider to -25 puts some of the variation in foliage colour back in to the image. It seems to work well with the Classic Chrome profile in Fuji. I'm using it with a full spectrum Fuji X-T20. It's an expensive filter but delivery was surprisingly quick to the UK. just a few days. Getting the best out of it might not require channel swaps etc but getting the best out of it still takes a bit of effort.

[@BrentBlueAllen]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what i needed. The Kolari pocket caught my eye after seeing some cool IR conversion videos. Looking forward to checking out more of your vids and your IR e-book!

[@mdturnerinoz]

I just got my Chrome filter and love it as an alternative to my others. My full-spec Canon R6 (v1) works just great with it!

[@sergeyato7887]

J’ai découvert la photographie infrarouge et depuis j’ai le virus. Je suis l’un de vos abonnés et vos conseils son bien précieux.

[@robshea]

Excellent ! Merci beaucoup.

[@Bonsees]

so beautiful 🤩

[@jjualvare]

Great video, I always learn something new from your presentations.

[@arthurgphotography]

Excellent work thank you

[@throughmylens3530]

I purchased the 77mm version for my new Canon R6 converted to full spectrum.

[@corktail7900]

this combined with velvia is a dream

[@Martin-nu6ym]

I really like using this filter because I can use more of my lenses without dealing with a hotspot. :) The 77mm filter I purchased in 2019 did teach me one thing about the filter - watch for the filter screwing out of the filter ring. That happened to me when I was unscrewing the filter and I was a little shocked to see the filter tumbling down while I was holding an empty filter ring. Thankfully, this happened in a way that the filter landed on a soft surface and survived the fall. I must on a regular basis tighten the filter into the ring and yet I still sometimes get an empty filter ring with the filter resting on the lens since I will only unscrew this filter with the lens completely upright. Hopefully, this is a fluke with the filter I have because it was an initial release.

[@FiZ]

I do love the IR Chrome filter, enough so that I sometimes feel obligated to "challenge" myself with something like a 590nm 🤣

[@giorgio4407]

Hello Rob. Very interesting filter, I’m thinking about purchasing it, for the Kolari pocket and the 10/20mm Nikon on a Nikon D5100 in full spectrum. It’s really not about avoiding post processing but to have another look on some pictures. Saturation might be a good issue along with some luminosity masks to balance other tones of the image. Congratulations for your videos, very nice work.

[@uhorne]

Although i enjoy editing the pics, it seems that filter can capture colour results that i struggle to get by editing. That magenta-ish dark red, along with more regular red on the closer trees. Think i might get that filter sometime

[@wimjacobs4075]

Great information as usual! Personally I have this filter in both 49mm and 77mm sizes. 49mm fits most smaller fixed focal length lenses I use, and 77m is the largest of my "pro" (whatever that means) lenses. Sole exception is my Pentax DA*11-18/2.8 which is slightly larger (82mm), but the 77mm on a adapter can be used with minimal vignetting at 11mm and none from 12mm on. One gripe I have with the IR Chrome filters, is that they have a very minimal front thread. I guess this is because the combination of several filter materials means the filter is very thick to begin with and Kolari didn't want to make them any deeper to avoid vignetting? This does means lens caps tend to drop off much easier, and screw-in lens hoods may come loose as well. I love the effect though. I set my white balance using the ExpoDisc product, simply pointing the camera at a representative scene with this mounted and saving the WB from that. I find that works fine to get an in-camera impression as well as as a starting point in PP. In Lightroom I generally don't touch the WB much to change colour, but prefer to swift the orange channel hue to red. I often shift it to yellow as well, to get some variation in the effect. Thanks again!!

[@robshea]

Thanks for sharing your details experiences! I've heard others also complain about the threads and suggest that when using multiple filters, that the IR Chrome should be added last. ExpoDisc sounds like a good tool for those who want to shot in JPEG. Thanks!

[@sippinhappiness793]

Thanks Rob

[@dirtywater5336]

I also have this filter and I have to admit I was a little let down by it. I had hoped to get deeper reds from it. Like many of your examples, I feel the foliage is more orange or orange-red than true red. I've tried fiddling with the saturation and luminence sliders in Lr but I just can't seem to get it to a place where the foliage is truly red. That being said, I've actually had a lot of success in getting those deeper reds with photographing pine trees

[@robshea]

While the intent of this filter was the emulate Aerochrome, this filter clearly has a look all it's own. I do like it for what it is, especially the variations of oranges, reds and magentas. You won't get those from a high-pass filter. But is it not Aerochrome.

[@leighann5308]

Foiilage tends to be more orange on my full spectrum Sony a6000 as noted on the kolari website that’s the case with Sony’s, what’s the best way to get the orange more red? I bought this in hopes not to do much editing so if anyone has advice on the easiest way to accomplish this I would appreciate it.

[@ianadams5]

​@@leighann5308Not sure if you found a solution yet but I have a full spectrum modified Sony ZVE10 and had the same issue of orange foliage. I decided to experiment with the IR Chrome filter and some various colored gels and window tints. I ended up removing the two glass filters from the metal ring (the IR Chrome is basically a GRB3 and QB19 filter stacked together) and sticking a yellow window tint on the blue filter and cutting the tint at the edges of the glass using an exacto knife, then reassembled the filter. This made the filter more green looking, but made the oranges in the images more red. Depending on the yellow tint, you might have to add a couple layers of it depending on how dense of yellow it is, just make sure there are no air bubbles left after you apply the tint.

[@telecomprofi]

well in fact it does work sometimes on non-full spectrum cameras. E.g. having Lifepixel Super Color Infrared (590nm) on sensor and Kolari Vision IR Chrome lite screwed on the lens of aps-c Canon 100d does work in some cases - like closed aperture (f/5.6-f/11) @22mm while open aperture and/or 10mm wide angle gives huge vignetting of purple with red foliage only in the center. The reason could be reflections from filter back to front element - noticed how extremely shiny are both front and reverse of that filter comparing to others IR filters I tried). WB is set in camera on white paper while filter is on the lens.

[@robshea]

When using an IR Chrome filter over a 590nm filter, you will still capture IR, but the blue portion of the bandpass will be blocked by the 590nm filter, negating the benefits of the IR Chrome filter.

[@davisvisions003]

Nice video. What will the results be on My converted camera ? that’s not full spectrum. (550-590nm ) I think.

[@robshea]

Dual band filters, such as the IR Chrome, will only work on full spectrum cameras, since the lower band is below 590 nm and blocked by that filter.

[@intothewhile]

Hey man, did you use the IR Chrome or the IR Chrome lite? I was considering going for the Lite for its cheaper price, but I'm a bit concerned about the color cast on the edges

[@robshea]

I only have the IR Chrome. I have not tested the Lite.

[@fabriziocanale9768]

Hello Rob, just one question. I’m new to the IR photography. I have a Canon 70D converted for Astro photography. I have ordered a few days ago a Canon lens, the 24 f2.8 and, in the meantime I purchased a Hoya filter, the IR 72. I am wondering whether or not with that filter I can shoot all kinds of infrared photos or I need to buy a Chrome and a 520 filter as well. Thanks, Fabrizio

[@robshea]

The R72 will allow you to shoot color infrared, with subtle colors, and monochrome infrared. If the 70D is converted to full-spectrum, then using a lower-numbered cut-off filter, such as a 590nm high-pass filter, will allow for color images with more saturation. A Chrome filter will allow for infrared images without a color swap.

[@fabriziocanale9768]

@@robshea thank you for replying. Do you mean that with a 590 I can obtain the same results by channel-swapping as with a chrome filter?

[@robshea]

@@fabriziocanale9768 The results are similar, but not identical. IR Chrome tends to capture more hues of color in the foliage.

[@fabriziocanale9768]

@@robshea ok, thank you very much.

[@ignacymat]

hey, i'm wondering if you can see trough the IR chrome filter with your bare eye. I have a few old DSLR cameras and it would be a dream combo with this filter. From what i've remembered you can't see crap with normal IR72

[@robshea]

You can see through it with your bare eye. It has a blue tint. To use effectively, you will need a camera converted to full spectum.

[@aaronmoats7149]

Hi Rob, I have purchased a used Kolari pocket and it came with mutiple filters. I know in Jpeg a custom white balance needs to be set but I can't figure out how to do it on this camera. My camera has the CHDK card in it. Can you tell me how to do it? Thanks for your help.

[@robshea]

If you are shooting in JPEG, then I would not use CHDK. Use another card without CHDK on it. You will find the custom white balance easy to find in the normal camera mode.

[@kornasteniker3939]

Great review! Ty! Seems to be THE IR-Filter to go for lazy ppl. ^^ One question comes to my mind. Does this filter still produce a hotspot with lenses prone to hotspots?

[@robshea]

I strongly suspect that the same hot spot issues would apply as they do for other infrared filters, since hot spots are based on the wavelength of light and the lens.

[@glangford99]

@@robshea Rob - might there be an advantage to this filter in that if there is a hot spot it would be more apparent through the viewfinder/screen? Only guessing since this is more "what you see is what you get" filter. If so, it may be easier to see which lenses we currently have produce hot spots at which aperture/zoom length since it can be done "real time." What do you think? And thank you for another great video.

[@robshea]

@@glangford99 It's definitely a WYSIWYG filter. For lenses with really bad hot spots, they are easy to pick out with any IR filter. The tricky ones are the mild hot spots, with a broader dimmer hot spot. Those can be harder to see in-camera.

[@lindseymccutchan2734]

Kolari told me that this filter will eliminate hot spot issues. I haven't received mine yet, 49mm for fixed lens Fuji x100t so not sure if that is true, but sure hoping so as I deal with a lot of hot spot issues with that lens.

[@Adlie80]

Hi Rob, do the filters work the same for the normal DSLR camera like Fuji XT3 so that we don't have to buy the Kolari and just buy the filters?

[@robshea]

The IR Chrome filter requires a full-spectrum converted camera. It will not work properly with an unconverted camera. I've seen claims of people who created the effect by combining individual filters, but I have not tried this.

[@depotmsa2362]

i want the aerochrome that guy got in the congo thats purple and almost red

[@robshea]

Here are those images for anyone who has not seen them. archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/16/magazine/congo-color.html www.google.com/search?q=richard+mosse+congo&sxsrf=AOaemvLqSzRBofceJ34ErnJSDM6HBkoxjw:1630679450497&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrlo6rguPyAhUaLs0KHebcCGAQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&cshid=1630679581963864&biw=1440&bih=764&dpr=2

[@GusPotenza]

Hey Rob, if you experimented with the IR Chrome on a 720nm or higher converted camera or would be great to see the results, is there any colour left? Cheers

[@robshea]

I suspect that combining an IR Chrome filter and a 720nm filter would produce the same results as the 720nm filter alone. Since the IR Chrome filter is essentially a 720nm high-pass filter with a lower blue pass, the blue pass would be blocked by the 720nm filter, allowing just the 720nm and higher wavelengths to pass.

[@GusPotenza]

@@robshea makes sense. Does that mean blue skies achieved on a 720nm photo is a 100% product of colour swap and not real blue tones captured?

[@robshea]

@@GusPotenza That is correct! In a 720nm image, the blue sky results from a red sky color swapped to blue. In a IR Chrome image, it is actually blue light that is captured.

[@JeffStovall38]

Great review Rob. Unfortunately, Kolari released this filter a few months after I had my camera converted. I got LifePixel's 470nm conversion thinking at the time that it would give me the most flexibility using external filters. You mentioned the IR Chrome might cut off at around 470nm. Any ideas how it would work with a 470nm conversion?

[@robshea]

Jeff, this is a very interesting question. In preparation for this video, I did some unscientific tests with various filters. When shooting a visible light color spectrum, the IR Chrome filter captured blue, cyan, and green. This led to my speculation that it captures light from 470 to 550nm. By comparison, when looking at the test for 550nm, it passed no blue light and I strongly suspect 550nm and higher cut-off filters would not work well with the IR Chrome. I do not have a 470nm filter to test, but I _suspect_ that it would work with an IR Chrome filter, although, the results could be slightly different. 😬 I wish I could give you a definitive answer, I haven't tested it.

[@antran8976]

Is this filter different to a normal blue filter for black and white photography?

[@robshea]

This is a dual-band pass filter, which transmits blue, red, and IR light, while blocking other colors.

[@vmillerphoto]

I have a 470nm conversion. Curious if you or anyone has tried a chrome filter on that? It's not full spectrum, but would pass the test on allowing 470-550nm.

[@robshea]

I might work. The lower bandpass might pass light above 470nm. However, I have not tested it.

[@vmillerphoto]

@@robshea thanks for all your videos, actions and luts!

[@nomadicnegatives]

How to get the aero chrome classic “pink look” with this filter

[@arthurgphotography]

Adjust hues in post

[@saulocpp]

Can the camera be hand held when shooting outdoors with this filter on?

[@robshea]

Yes. Since this filter requires a full-spectrum conversion, the shutter speeds will be fast enough to allow for hand holding.

[@PennyOMG]

Think a 80-b filter would give a similar result at a lower price?

[@robshea]

I have a similar Hoya 80A filter, which I'd like to test and compare.

[@LeendertCordemans]

Hi Rob, what they don't tell is, you need lenses without coatings. Otherwise it don't works (lenses with coatings) and a camera with full spectrum.

[@robshea]

Similar to other infrared filters, about half of all lenses will produce host spots in infrared. Be sure to check your lens against online databases or test in infrared. Vintage lenses, primes, and as you mentioned, lenses without modern coatings are less likely to have hot spots. References for lenses in infrared: 590.red/lenses

[@jeromeThailande]

My problem is one I can't understand nobody has ,I asked a conversion for the night sky ,I got H alpha they said ,but they might have lied because I couldn't get any support ,everything is red so I obviously need a filter but FOR THE STARS, I'm not interested in any other infrared use ???

[@robshea]

An H-alpha filter (or conversion to an H-alpha filter) will transmit a narrow band of red light at 656 nm. An image captured with an H-alpha filter will be all red; this is expected. Typically, this is processed as monochrome or combined with images using other filters for a false color image.

[@leighann5308]

Has anyone tried one of the cheaper China Chrome IR aero chrome filters? I would like a 67mm and I cannot afford the one from kolari which I really want. I realize there might be a little color difference but other forums said they are decent although shipping takes a long time.

[@robshea]

I would advise against cheap filters, they tend to not match the advertised cut-off values. I have purchased some filters that some suggest can produce interesting, but not identical results to Chrome. I'll be testing those and sharing the results.

[@leighann5308]

@@robshea yes, can you please test them? I just got my converted Sony a6000 back from LP and I wanted to play around with it, $150 for 67mm is way out of my league. I could buy a lens for that. Some UV forums have showed results from cheapens versions not too bad considering half the price.

[@pierrecrampagne6826]

Félicitations, chaque photo en infrarouge est vraiment belle.Voir la pellicule que vous employez, vous devez faire les infrarouges directement sur l'ordinateur avec photo s h o p et non avec une pellicule infrarouge couleur directement.Ce qui est différent dans la manière de faire, si vous faites cela c'est aussi très bien.

[@robshea]

Malheureusement, les films infrarouges couleur ne sont plus fabriqués. Vous pouvez utiliser un appareil photo numérique pour capturer des images infrarouges en supprimant le filtre miroir chaud interne, en ajoutant un filtre infrarouge et en modifiant les images résultantes.

[@pierrecrampagne6826]

@@robshea Si vous m'indiquez pas à pas chaque réglage sur l'appareil photo et aussi sur l'ordinateur, mes finances ne me permettent pas de faire sur photo s h o p, trop cher parce que professionnel. je fais tout au photo filtre, qui lui est gratuit. J'ai vu une réclame sur l'ordinateur pour l'infrarouge, avec une optique Américaine sous le nom de A S T R O S C O P E low light 9350 où on a pas besoin d'enlever le filtre sur le boitier etc.C'est l'objectif seul qui fait tout. Si vous arrivez à avoir cette publicité, si vous voulez l'acquérir, de l'U S DOLLAR en Euro

[@SDA-Sound]

I have the GFX100ii with the Kolari IR chrome 82mm lens. any photos I take look nothing like any of this, they are all just a gross blue hue. everything MUST be edited so not sure why your saying "in camera".

[@robshea]

The IR Chrome filter requires a full spectrum converted camera. If all you are seeing is blue, it could be that you are using this filter on an unconverted camera.

[@somekindofusername]

Lmfao are you using this on a non-IR converted camera?

[@SDA-Sound]

Yea because I had no idea that YOU needed a modded camera 🤷

[@arthurgphotography]

😂😂​@@SDA-Sound

[@SDA-Sound]

laugh it up lol. There’s shockingly little information about “conversion” in the sale of 90% of products sold for converted cameras 🤷 but you’ve probably never made a mistake like that in your life huh 🥱