Digital Infra-red

This is a minefield. Some digital cameras are more sensitive than others to IR frequencies. Chips are different, and so are the IR absorbing (protective) filters infront of the chip.

There are differences even between Canon models - and obviously the same goes for Nikon.

American nutters MaxMax will customise your camera for you by permanently removing the filter.

I suspect they look like this man...

...and I wouldn't let them near me. However...

There are lots of very helpful in-depth Digital infra-red tutorials on the web, written by men who spend every spare minute thinking about photography. They love to tinker with gadgets and techniques - and many of them run their own websites where they give all this knowledge and experience away - free - in exchange for a little love and affection in the form of a few kind words of thanks from complete strangers posted on their blogs and forums. Most of these men are married to women like these:


So, be kind and make someone happy today with an email.

Testing:
Here's a very crude test of IR sensitivity for digital cameras:

Put your camera in auto mode at ISO 100 with a wide aperture - no filter required at this point.

Point your IR telly remote into the lens from no more than 12" away.

Press any button on the remote while making the sound of a Star Wars light sabre and make an auto exposure.

Review the image on your camera screen:

If you see anything like this - you're doing really well:

If you see something like this - all is still not lost:

You need to do some work with levels and curves...