Videography
Infrared
Research · June 2026 · For use in film
How It Works
CMOS sensors are natively sensitive to near-infrared light (~700–1000nm). Manufacturers install an IR-cut filter in front of the sensor to block it — without it, IR light ruins normal colour footage.
The modification: remove the IR-cut filter and replace it with an IR long-pass filter internally. The long-pass filter blocks all visible light, letting only infrared through. The result is pure IR capture at whatever resolution the sensor supports.
The distinctive look comes from the Wood Effect — organic material (foliage, grass) reflects near-IR massively, rendering white. Sky and water absorb IR, going dark. High contrast, dreamlike, distinctly non-photographic.
Colour IR is also possible with different filter wavelengths — Aerochrome (Kodak's false-colour IR film) renders foliage pink/magenta. Worth exploring separately.
Reference — @sambrownsaround ↗
The Build
Sam Brown (@sambrownsaround) used a GoPro Hero 6 modified by Back-Bone Gear to accept C-mount lenses, with the IR long-pass filter replacing the internal IR-cut. Custom 3D-printed housing. Shoots 4K infrared with interchangeable vintage/CCTV lenses.
The Hero 12 costs ~£500 to convert. The smarter route is a secondhand Hero 6 or 7 (~£60–80) plus a dedicated conversion service.
Base Camera
GoPro Hero 6 or 7
Hero 7 preferred — better stabilisation. Widely available secondhand. Easy to open and service. Hero 12 is harder to mod (Kolari have to cut the casing).
~£60–80 secondhand
IR Conversion
IR Long-Pass Filter Swap
Remove factory IR-cut filter, replace with IR long-pass internally. Filter sits directly in front of sensor — works with any lens, no external filter needed.
~£75–120 service fee
Lens Mount (Optional)
C-Mount Adapter
Back-Bone Gear replaces the fixed lens with a C/CS-mount. Opens up cheap CCTV lenses (8mm, 12mm, 25mm) and vintage 16mm cine glass.
Included in Back-Bone mod
Conversion Services
Infraready UK
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Does Hero 12 and older models. Domestic shipping — no customs. Smaller operation but UK-convenient. Check their eBay store for pre-converted cameras.
Kolari Vision US
Gold standard for conversions. Sell pre-converted Hero 7 Black (~2 week lead). 1-year warranty. Ship to UK but factor in customs. Hero 6/7 conversion ~$75–100.
Back-Bone Gear CA
C-mount lens modification for GoPros up to Hero 13. Separate to the IR conversion — send the camera after IR conversion if you want interchangeable lenses.
Cost Comparison
Hero 12 conversion
Send your existing Hero 12. Kolari have to cut the casing to reach the sensor, reseal with epoxy.
Secondhand Hero 6/7 + conversion
Buy Hero 6/7 on eBay, send to Infraready or Kolari. Dedicated IR camera, Hero 12 untouched.
Pre-converted Hero 7 (Kolari)
Buy already converted. No sending-off, no wait. US shipping + possible customs.
Main Kit (FX3)
Body
Sony FX3
Full-frame 10.2MP BSI Exmor R. 4K120, 1080p240. ISO 80–409,600. 627-point phase-detect AF (89% coverage). S-Cinetone, S-Log3, 10-bit 4:2:2. 15+ stops DR.
Lens
Sony FE 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II
695g, constant f/2.8. Min focus 0.21m. 20 elements / 15 groups. Noticeably sharper than Mk I with less CA.
Monitor
Atomos Shinobi GO
5.2" IPS, 1500 nits. HDMI 1.4 (4K30/1080p60). L-series battery or USB-C PD. False color, zebra, waveform, 8× 3D LUTs. 210g, fanless.
Audio
DJI Mic 3
16g per TX. 400m range, dual-band 2.4+5.8GHz. 32-bit float internal recording, 32GB onboard. 2-level ANC. USB-C or 3.5mm out.