Here is a guide to the 4 best Canon UV Conversion Set-Ups. WARNING: This guide is strictly for those who are thinking of purchasing a brand new camera and having it converted to UV. Older models are still great and convert over to UV very well. If you already have a camera body in hand that you would like converted, follow this link and select from the options you see.
I’m sure many of you have seen the How The Sun Sees You video that went viral on YouTube. You can see in the clip (2:41) that in this specific video the cameras they are using are Canon cameras. Now, this doesn’t mean that other camera brands won’t give you these results. All the cameras listed on our website in our UV Conversion section are capable of doing this! I want to stress that so that you aren’t thinking you HAVE to get a Canon.
We receive a lot, and I mean A LOT, of calls from folks all over the world that want to have a camera that is capable of doing this. Our UV Conversion Service is what you need to get your camera to function the way the camera in this video works. Here is an article posted on our site from one of our customers that has gotten this conversion recently.
There are 3 basic components you need to keep in mind. Gear, lighting, and basic photography knowledge. I will be covering camera gear later in this post but I want to quickly mention lighting. Lighting is absolutely crucial! If you are going to be shooting in direct sunlight, you have nothing to worry about, the sun gives off plenty of UV light. If you are going to be shooting indoors, lighting is something you definitely have to consider. Just because the room seems bright enough for you and bright enough for “regular” visible photography doesn’t necessarily mean that there is sufficient UV light in the room. You will have to supply ultraviolet light via lamps, bulbs, or flashes.
If you don’t have a camera and are looking to buy a brand new camera and lens, here are 4 set-ups you can go with at various price points. In this specific post, I am sticking strictly to Canon. If there is enough demand, I will make posts for other brands we can currently convert to UV. Lets get to the various set-ups!
NOTE: Some prices fluctuate because of manufacturers discount and Amazon sales. At the time of this post all prices are accurate!
Budget Crop Sensor DSLR – Under $1000
–Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens
$392. The Canon T5 is a solid camera. 18.0 megapixels, HD video recording, live view. This camera does come with the kit 18-55mm but we do not recommend it as you would need significantly longer exposure times since the lens will be fighting against you. Which brings me to my next point…
–Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
$110. The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for UV. Because of the few layers of glass inside this lens, there isn’t much of that nasty coating that blocks out UV light. Also fairly cheap compared to some of the other lenses out there. You can pick up a used non STM version of this lens for much cheaper on the second hand market but since it is already so cheap brand new, might as well take the plunge!
–Canon UV Camera Conversion
$475 for Crop Sensor Canon DSLRs. Your camera will shoot UV, that’s it! No external filters needed, no other accessories, nothing!
Total cost = $977
Crop Sensor DSLR – Under $1500
–Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
$899. The 70D is definitely a step about the Rebel series cameras, it is also more expensive. 20 MP, swivel touch screen, external mic input. The build quality is really much better so if you are going to be traveling a lot and need more durability, this is probably the better way to go!
–Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
$110. Once again, great lens! Scroll up to read the description.
–Canon UV Camera Conversion
$475 for Crop Sensor Canon DSLRs.
Total Cost = $1484
Budget Full Frame DSLR – Under $2500
–Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
$1499. The 6D is Canon’s “affordable” full-frame camera. The reason affordable is in quotations is because this camera acts like anything but an affordable camera. With 20 MP, HD video, GPS and wi-fi, this camera is really great for the price.
–Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
$110. One more time, great lens! Scroll up to read the description.
–Canon UV Camera Conversion
$675 for Full Frame Sensor Canon DSLRs.
Total Cost = $2284
Full Frame DSLR – Under $3500
–Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera (Body)
$2499. The mark 3 is a fantastic camera. 22 MP, HD video, external mic input, dual memory card slots, ISO up to 102,400 expanded.
You can definitely find a full frame Canon DSLR that is more expensive than the 5Dmk3. There is the 5Dmk4, 5Ds and 5DsR, 1D X, etc. At this point, it is really about what you need in terms of image quality.
–Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
$110. And for the last time, great lens! Scroll up to read the description.
–Canon UV Camera Conversion
$675 for Full Frame Sensor Canon DSLRs.
Total Cost = $3284
Other Lenses That Will Work
You might have noticed a trend in all the set-ups. I recommended the same exact lens. The reason for doing this is because first of all it is very cheap, and second of all it works well in UV. Now, that is not to say other lenses won’t work. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens might also be a great candidate. It is about $200 more expensive but gives you an extra stop of light by opening up to 1.4. Others to try would be the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens
If you would rather be safe than taking a risk with one of these lenses, go with the 50mm 1.8 lens I mentioned above.
Ordering a Brand New Camera For Conversion
Did you know that you can ship a camera directly to us? That will save you both time and money. You can order a camera through Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or any other camera store. When ordering a brand new camera from one of these sites, write Life Pixel Infrared C/O “YOUR NAME” in the name field and use our address that is found on our Contact page. That way we will receive the camera and know that it is connected to your order. When placing an order for the conversion, it is going to ask you for a serial number, write “Camera is Drop Shipped” in that field and you are good to go! Proceed with payment and once the order is placed, we will be waiting for your camera to arrive. Once the camera is converted, we will ship it to your address. That’s it!
Got questions or suggestions? Leave a comment below!
Latest articles by Noah Ashurov (see all articles)
- The 4 Best Canon UV Conversion Set-Ups for All Budgets - January 3, 2017
- How To Get a FREE Camera Conversion - December 2, 2016
- Best Times Of The Day For Photography - November 7, 2016
Noah Ashurov
All LifePixel customer service inquires should be directed to service@lifepixel.com or by phone at 866-610-1710.
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Thank you for posting detailed blog on Canon UV camera, as I got doubt on it, Cheers.
Noah,
I hope you get this as this article was posted several years ago. I’ll try to be brief. A year or so ago I sent two Nikon D3400’s in to get converted; one to IR and the other to UV. I was excited to discover these worlds but became quickly discouraged after not getting the kind of results I was expecting. Recently I decided I would give it another go, being especially interested in the UV. I didn’t realize when I got my UV converted camera back that I would still need a certain kind of lens, in fact, I just found this out today. I see your reply to the question above about what Nikon lenses work well for UV (The Nikon 50mm f1.8 works well! Either the older version or newer ones). I also just received a reply from a guy who posted a YouTube video (Diy extravaganza) who says, “Look for a EL-Nikkor 80mm f/5.6, the old metal version. it works quite nice for UV, and it is inexpensive.” If I have to buy another lens to start exploring UV photography then I’d really like to have your input. Are there a few newer lenses that would work well or pretty much just the 50mm f1.8? I’m discouraged and need help, please get back to me, thanks.
What Nikon lenses work well for UV?
The Nikon 50mm f1.8 works well! Either the older version or newer ones.
I haven’t shot IR since it was film and always shot a 28mm lens on my old Canon F-1. What is the reason a wide angle can’t be used for a converted camera..? I have an old Canon 5D would that suit for conversion.
Hey Lee,
This article is specifically for UV (ultraviolet) conversions, not infrared. With Infrared, you have more options. Visit our Start Here guide and you can learn more about our infrared conversions.