When I first delved into the world of experimental photography, I often felt limited by the visible light spectrum. I’d see stunning, surreal images captured in infrared and wondered how I could achieve that look myself without breaking the bank. It was a creative itch that needed scratching, and ignoring it meant missing out on entirely new artistic possibilities and perspectives in my work.
Entering the realm of infrared photography involves stepping beyond standard visible light. These specialized filters primarily address the desire to capture light invisible to the human eye, revealing landscapes and subjects in ethereal, often otherworldly ways. Someone seeking to experiment with dramatic, high-contrast black and white images or explore the unique “Wood Effect” where foliage turns bright white is the ideal candidate for these filters. However, if you’re looking for a simple ‘screw on and shoot’ solution for everyday photography or expect vibrant colours, this isn’t for you. True, intense infrared often requires a camera with the internal IR-blocking filter removed, a more permanent and costly modification. Before buying, consider your camera’s IR sensitivity (some block more infrared than others), your willingness to use long exposure times (often requiring a tripod), and your comfort with manual camera settings like white balance and exposure.
- 【Infrared Filter Set】 Includes 4 infrared filters (IR720/IR760/IR850/IR950), ideal for infrared photography, low light photography, long exposure photography, black and white photography, and more
- 【Incredible Infrared Effects】 IR720 IR760 IR850 IR950 filters respectively block infrared rays above 720nm/760nm/850nm/ 950nm and capture part of images beyond the human visible spectrum,...
- 【Multi NANO Coated HD Optical Glass】 Made of HD optical glass with 30 NANO coatings on both sides, these IR filters deliver super clear images with enhanced contrast under invisible infrared light
Meet the Kit: Presenting the NEEWER 77mm Infrared Filter Set
The NEEWER 77mm Infrared Filter Set is designed to open the door to infrared photography for photographers using standard, unmodified DSLR cameras. This set comes with four distinct infrared filters: IR720, IR760, IR850, and IR950. The promise is to allow photographers to capture the invisible, translating it into striking, unique images perfect for low light, long exposure, or compelling black and white conversions. When you purchase the set, you receive the four filters, a convenient carrying pouch for storage and transport, and a cleaning cloth to keep your filters pristine. Compared to high-end dedicated IR filters or the significant investment of a camera body converted specifically for infrared, this NEEWER filter set offers a cost-effective entry point. While dedicated IR cameras or heavily modified bodies might capture even more infrared light, allowing for faster shutter speeds, this set provides a pathway for experimentation with existing gear.
Pros:
* Affordable entry into infrared photography.
* Includes four different filter strengths for varied effects.
* Good build quality with durable metal frames.
* Nano coating helps protect against reflections and dirt.
* Comes with a useful storage pouch and cleaning cloth.
Cons:
* Requires very long exposure times with unmodified cameras.
* Necessitates manual camera settings (white balance, exposure).
* Can be challenging to focus and compose through the filters.
* True, intense infrared effects often require a camera body modification for peak results.
* The included storage pouch, while practical, might feel a bit basic.
- Advanced knurling technology prevents slipping and easy to disassembe. Comact size, lightweight and easy to carry.
- 【Infrared Filter Set】 Includes 4 infrared filters (IR720/IR760/IR850/IR950), ideal for infrared photography, low light photography, long exposure photography, black and white photography, and more
- 【Infrared Filter】These filters are ideal for creating special affects or for changing the lighting in photography, and also for use in analytical situations where UV and visible light needs to be...
Delving into the Details: Features and Benefits of the NEEWER IR Filters
Exploring the capabilities of the NEEWER 77mm Infrared Filter Set reveals why it’s such a compelling option for photographers eager to venture into the unseen spectrum. This is more than just a collection of coloured glass; each element is designed to contribute to a specific outcome, albeit one that requires patience and technical understanding.
Let’s start with the core offering: the four filters themselves. The set includes IR720, IR760, IR850, and IR950 filters. The number indicates the minimum wavelength of light, in nanometers (nm), that the filter allows to pass through to your camera’s sensor. Visible light typically ranges from about 380nm to 780nm. Infrared light sits above that, starting around 700nm.
The IR720 filter is the ‘mildest’ in the set, blocking visible light below 720nm. This filter lets in some red visible light along with the infrared, often resulting in a reddish image straight out of the camera. This is sometimes referred to as ‘false colour’ infrared. The benefit here is flexibility; you can process the image in various ways, keeping some colour tint or converting it to black and white. It provides a softer introduction to the infrared effect, showing less of the stark contrast that deeper IR brings.
Moving up, the IR760 filter blocks visible light below 760nm. This pushes further into the infrared spectrum, reducing the amount of visible red light that hits the sensor. The resulting images tend to be more towards the monochrome side, with less colour information to work with than the IR720. This filter starts to emphasize the classic infrared look, where green foliage reflects strongly, appearing bright white, and skies darken dramatically.
The IR850 filter is even more selective, only allowing light with wavelengths of 850nm and above to pass. At this level, virtually all visible light is blocked. The images captured with the IR850 will be almost purely black and white. This filter is excellent for achieving that strong, iconic infrared effect with intense contrast between light and dark areas, particularly effective for landscapes.
Finally, the IR950 filter is the deepest infrared filter in the set, blocking everything below 950nm. This is deep infrared, capturing light well beyond the range our eyes can perceive. Results with this filter are strictly black and white, offering the most dramatic and contrasty effects. It’s particularly good for architectural shots or scenes where you want to emphasize textures and patterns that respond strongly to this deeper infrared light.
Having these four filters provides immense creative control. Instead of being limited to a single infrared look, you can experiment with different intensities and find the aesthetic that suits your vision. The range from 720nm to 950nm covers the most popular wavelengths for this type of photography, offering versatility within the infrared spectrum accessible to unmodified cameras.
Material quality is another crucial aspect. The filters are made from HD optical glass. This is important because poor quality glass can degrade image sharpness and introduce unwanted aberrations. The benefit of using high-definition glass is that it ensures the captured infrared light translates into clear, sharp images, preserving the detail your lens is capable of resolving. Combined with the infrared effect, this optical clarity allows for stunningly detailed surreal photos.
Adding to the quality is the Multi NANO Coating applied to both sides of the optical glass. With 30 nano coatings per side, these filters boast impressive anti-reflective properties. Reflections, especially when shooting into bright light sources (even infrared light sources like the sun), can significantly degrade image quality by reducing contrast and causing flare. The nano coating minimizes these internal reflections, ensuring better light transmission and cleaner images. This coating also provides a protective layer, making the filter surface more resistant to scratches, dust, and fingerprints, which is a huge benefit when shooting outdoors. It also makes cleaning easier.
The physical construction of the filters is also well-considered. They feature a sturdy Aluminum Alloy Frame. Aluminum is lightweight yet durable, providing a solid housing for the delicate glass element. A well-made frame ensures the filter screws onto your lens correctly and sits securely.
The CNC precisely machined double threads are a practical feature often overlooked. The inner thread screws onto your lens, while the outer thread allows you to stack additional filters (like an ND filter for even longer exposures) or attach a lens hood. This double-threaded design adds versatility, allowing you to combine filters for more complex effects or maintain the use of lens accessories. The precision machining ensures smooth attachment and removal, preventing frustrating cross-threading issues.
Included with the set is a Carrying Pouch and a Cleaning Cloth. While seemingly basic, these accessories are essential for maintaining the filters. The pouch keeps the filters organized and protected from dust and scratches when not in use, and the cleaning cloth is necessary for removing fingerprints and smudges that can occur in the field.
Using these filters effectively does require some technical adjustments. As the product description notes, you often need to set a custom white balance on your camera. Since infrared light looks different to the sensor than visible light, a standard white balance setting (like ‘Daylight’ or ‘Cloudy’) will result in heavily colour-cast images, usually magenta or red. Setting a custom white balance (often by pointing your camera at something green, like grass or leaves, which reflects infrared strongly, and using that as a white reference) helps neutralize this colour cast and get you closer to a starting point for processing.
Furthermore, you’ll need to use manual mode and conduct test shots to find the optimal exposure. Infrared light doesn’t behave exactly like visible light, and metering through these dense filters can be tricky for automatic systems. Exposure times are significantly longer – often seconds, even in bright sunlight, especially with an unmodified camera. This is where the downsides mentioned earlier come into play; you absolutely need a stable tripod, and shooting moving subjects or in windy conditions becomes very difficult due to motion blur. Mastering exposure requires trial and error with each filter strength and in different lighting conditions.
The NEEWER Infrared Filter Set provides the tools, but successful infrared photography with an unmodified camera is a journey of experimentation. The different filter strengths offer creative options, and the quality construction ensures durability and good optical performance. The major benefit is the ability to explore a fascinating photographic niche without the high cost of a dedicated IR camera conversion, making it an accessible choice for enthusiasts.
What Others Are Saying: User Experiences
Having used these filters myself, I was curious to see what other photographers thought. I looked online and found several positive reviews. One user mentioned how the filters are good quality for the price and screw on easily, noting that achieving the typical infrared look requires removing the camera’s internal sensor filter or using very long exposures, confirming my own experience. Another reviewer appreciated having the range of filters, stating it allowed for diverse experimentation and was a great value for starting out in infrared photography. They also highlighted the need for a tripod due to long shutter speeds and mentioned that processing images, especially converting to monochrome, enhances the unique effects. Several people echoed the sentiment that while these filters are a fantastic entry point, mastering the technique takes practice and that achieving peak results often involves a camera modified for infrared. The consensus seems to be that this NEEWER set delivers on its promise as an affordable way to start experimenting with infrared, even if it presents technical challenges that require manual control and patience.
Bringing It All Together: Final Thoughts
Stepping into infrared photography offers a captivating way to see the world differently, transforming familiar scenes into something truly unique. The challenge lies in overcoming the limitations of standard camera sensors which are designed to block much of this light. The NEEWER 77mm Infrared Filter Set provides a practical and budget-friendly solution to this challenge, enabling you to explore this fascinating spectrum. Its range of filter strengths offers creative versatility, the build quality is solid, and it includes essential accessories like a pouch and cloth. While it demands patience, manual control, and the use of a tripod due to long exposures, it serves as an excellent gateway into infrared photography without the need for expensive camera modifications. If you’re ready to experiment and see the world in a new light, this set is a great place to start. Click here to check out the NEEWER 77mm Infrared Filter Set .ca!
Last update on 2025-07-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API