Iconic Grain Elevator in The Palouse, iPhone 15 Pro Max, 720nm IR filter, Native Camera with Night Mode, processed in Lightroom Mobile. I used the Reeflex filter attachment method described below.

UPDATE September 25, 2024

The iPhone 16's have arrived and I'm happy to share that three of these accessories work with the iPhone 16 Pro Max when it's in the Apple Silicon Case. I'm unable to test the mount that requires the treaded case because those new cases are not yet available for the 16 phones, but based on what I'm seeing, I predict that that one will work also.

Besides a new case to fit your new iPhone, it doesn't look like we'll need to buy new filter mount accessories!

When I began making infrared photos with the iPhone 11 Pro Max in 2019, I manually held an infrared filter in front of the camera. That's because at that time there were few accessories available for attaching an infrared filter to the iPhone and those that did exist were pretty crude and didn't always work very well. 

We've come a long way in the last five years and today there are several filter attachment options available.

This blog post is a review of existing filter attachment options that I've used and find work as well as anything available today. They are listed here in the order in which I've found and used them and the order has nothing to do with one being better than another. The options are simply different. Some options may be more appealing to you based on your equipment and personal preferences.

I should note that my phones since my first iPhone 4 in 2009  have all been iPhones. What I've learned about compatibility with android phones comes from some limited personal experience, and from observing clients using these accessories in the field.

For each attachment method, I'll list it's name, provide a link for purchase, and note its pros and cons. I'll also share some insights from my use of these accessories with different phones over the years.

A Word About Infrared Filters

Infrared filters come in a variety of nanometer lengths that produce different results. I prefer the 720 nanometer filter that produces a black & white result. I know some have tried filters lower on the spectrum that produce various color results, but color is not something that I've been attracted to. I encourage you to explore it if it's an interest, but I don't have experience in that relm with either photographing or processing color IR. To learn more about color IR, I suggest you follow Tony Sweet who is an expert in B&W IR with traditional cameras and has recently begun to explore color IR. 

A 720nm filter from one company may differ slightly from one from another company. This is not a bad thing, just a variable that will require some slightly different processing to account for these subtle differences. 

The IR filters I prefer are from Spencer's Camera, although you can find filters from your favorite camera store or on Amazon. I've used filters by Spencers, Neewer, Hoya, and LifePixel. IR filters can vary in price but I've found that inexpensive ones may not hold up as well and are quicker to become scratched or lose their coating with regular use and cleaning.

Links to Filters I Use

• Spencer's Camera ; If you choose to purchase from Spencer's use my code RADDREW25 for a discount.
•  
• Life Pixel Magnetic External Mounted Infrared Filter
•  
• Hoya and Neewer brands from your favorite camera store or Amazon.
•  

A Word about Cases

While you can use many of the filter attachment methods described here without a case, I don't recomment it. I don't use my phone without a case because the phone is slippery and too vunerable to damage from dropping.

There are a wide variety of cases and some work better with the different IR filter attachment methods than others. I've attempted to note that in the descriptions below.

Unless I'm using the threaded filter attachment from ReeFlex (described below), the best case I've found is the iPhone Siicone Case from Apple. It offers a good grip so it's easy to hold onto, and tends to work with most of the filter attachment methods and gets the best seal against lightleaks. 

Here are a few general tips when choosing cases to work with the IR filter attachment methods described here.

• Avoid clear cases because they allow light leaks that will ruin your photo
• Avoid cases that have credit card holders or finger grips or anything attached to the back of your phone because they will interfer with the filter mount

Infrared Filter Accessories for iPhone

1.  Moment 67mm Phone Filter Mount.

This mount from Moment is a clamp that attaches to the phone with a thumb screw.  It is treaded to accommodate a 67mm filter.

Of all the methods I'll mention in this post, this is one of the most versatile and will work on many phones. 

Even though it is 67mm, you can obtain step-up or step-down rings to accommodate different size infrared filters you already have instead of buying a new one. Step-up rings are much less expensive than new IR filters.

Option 1: Moment 67mm Phone Filter Mount.

67-52mm Step-Down Ring from B&H

You can find step rings from your favorite camera store or online.

Links to Items

Moment 67mm Phone Filter Mount

67-52mm Step-Down Ring from B&H

Pros

• Works with most iPhones and some androids
• Securely holds filter
• Covers all lenses
• Doesn't interfere with most phone tripod mounts or grips like the ProGrip by ShiftCam.

Cons

• Does not work with all cases
• Does not work with some androids
• Device covers buttons on the phone; must remove to access buttons
• Will not work with bulky cases such as Otter Cases or cases with attached wallets or other add-on accessories.

Insights

• Case choice matters
• iPhone Silicone case works best (for me)
• Avoid clear cases to avoid light leaks
• Knock-off cases may be different enough from Apple's Silicone case that they won't achieve a good fit and may produce light leaks.

 

2. JJC 49mm Magnetic Lens Filter Mount. 

The JJC Magnetic Filter System was the first of the mag safe magnetic systems I used. I love the convenience of quickly and easily attaching or removing it. The filter opening is 49mm and I've gotten good results with both a 49mm IR filter and a step-up ring to a 67mm IR filter . 

Mag Safe Magnet attachment, 49mm to 67mm Step-Up Ring, and 67mm, 720nm IR Filter.

JJC Magnetic Filter System on the iPhone 15 Pro Max with Apple Silicone Case.

Links to Items

 JJC 49mm Magnetic Lens Filter Mount. 

Pros

• Securely holds filter
• Cover's all lenses
• Magnetic system makes if very convenient to quicky put on and off.

Cons

• Works only with the Max size iPhones with Mag Safe (at time of writing this, it's not available for the Pro or Plus size iPhones)
• While it covers all lenses, there can be vignetting when using this system with the 0.5x ultra wide angel lens. This doesn't bother me because I don't use the ultrawide angle lense for IR anyway because I don't get satisfying results with any setup.
• Does not work with some androids
• Does not work with all cases
• Interfers with phone tripod mounts or grips like the ProGrip by ShiftCam.

Insights

• Case choice matters
• Works best with the iPhone Silicone case 
• Requires Mag Safe case
• Requires 49mm IR filter (or a step-up/step-down ring to the filter size of your choice).
• Avoid clear cases to avoid light leaks.
• Knock-off cases may be different enough from Apple's Silicone case that then won't achieve a good fit and may produce light leaks.
• Will not work with bulky cases such as Otter Cases or cases with attached wallets or other add-on accessories.
• Fit is better on some phones than others; you may need to adjust the fit to insure there are no light leaks.
• To use this with a iPhone tripod mount, secure the tripod mount across the bottom portion of the iPhone instead of across the phone's center where the magnetic mount can interfer.

Option 3: Tiffen Smart Phone 58mm Filter Mount

The Tiffen Smart Phone 58mm Filter Mount is the lastest of the mag safe magnetic systems I've found. Like the JJC accessory described above, I love the convenience of the magnetic system which makes for quick and easy attaching and removing.

The filter opening on the Tiffen unit is 58mm. I don't have a 58 mm filter, so I've used it with a 58mm to 67mm step-up ring and a 67mm IR filter. 

Tiffen Mag Safe Magnet attachment, 58mm to 67mm Step-Up Ring, and 67mm, 720nm IR Filter.

Tiffen Smart Phone 58mm Filter Mount on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple Silicone Case.

Links to Items

Tiffen Smart Phone 58mm Filter Mount

Pros

• Designed for all size 14 and 15 iPhones
• Securely holds filter
• Cover's all lenses
• Magnetic system makes if very convenient to quicky put on and off.
• Tiffen accessory is thinner than the JJC unit so it interfers less with the iPhone tripod mounts

Cons

• Does not work with some androids
• Does not work with all cases
• Although thinner than the JCC mount, it can stil Interfer with some phone tripod mounts and grips like the ProGrip by ShiftCam.

Insights

• Case choice matters
• Works best with the iPhone Silicone case 
• Requires Mag Safe case
• Even though it's not designed to work with the iPhone 12 & 13 Pro Max phones, I've used it successfully with these phones. The fit is not perfect so you need to be more careful about bumping it and you need to watch closely for light leaks and make slight adjustments if they occur.
• Requires 58mm IR filter (or a step-up/step-down ring to the filter size of your choice).
• Avoid clear cases to avoid light leaks.
• Knock-off cases may be different enough from Apple's Silicone case that they won't achieve a good fit and may produce light leaks.
• Will not work with bulky cases such as Otter Cases or cases with attached wallets or other add-on accessories.
• Fit is better on some phones than others; you may need to adjust the fit to insure there are no light leaks.
• To use this with a iPhone tripod mount, secure the tripod mount across the bottom portion of the iPhone instead of across the phone's center where the magnetic mount can interfer.

 

4. ReeFlex G-Series - Step-Up Adapters and Camera Mount Set 67mm

The Reflex system consistes of a magnetic disc with male threads that screws into a case with 17mm female threaded ports. The disc screws into the case and is magnetic so that it will receive a 67mm magnetic infrared filter from LifePixel. 

Note: When you purchase the Reeflex system, it comes with two step-up attachments that are useful if you are using other Reeflex lens systems.

For infrared photography, the only piece in this collection you'll need is the threaded disc, shown in the image below:

This ReeFlex threaded disc is the piece needed for IR photography.

The threaded attachment of the disk makes for a very secure mount to the case, and the LifePixel filter has a strong magnetic attachment making this a very secure system. 

The disc is threaded into case over the primary iPhone lens, the one at the lower left in the lens configuration.

Since it's screwed into one lens, the other lenses on the camera are blocked and inaccessible. So, when using the iPhone's native camera you can switch between the 1x and 2x lenses, but can't use the 0.5x or the 5x. This is a limitation of this system, but since I use the 1x camera most of the time for infrared photos, I don't mind. I get my best IR results with the 1x camera, regardless of which lens attachment method I'm using. I'm willing to only use the 1x camera in exchange for this very convenient system that doesn't have anyting on the back of the camera to interfer with an iPhone tripod clamp or with the ProGrip by ShiftCam  that I like to use.

The ReeFlex Case, Reeflex threaded magnetic disc, LifePixel 67mm magnetic IR Filter, and the LifePixel magnetic lens cover. 

This shows the Reeflex magnetic disc screwed into the Reeflex case, the LifePixel 67mm magnetic infrared filter and lens cap on the side.

Here the LifePixel 67mm magnetic IR filter is attached to the ReeFlex magnetic plate on the camera, and the LifePixel lens cap is on the side.

Here's the what it looks lke when all the pieces are assembled.

I keep the LifePixel filter magnetically attached to the ReeFlex magnetic disc. I unscrew the disc with the filter still attached, pop on the magnetic lens cap, and store it all in the plastic case it came in from LifePixel. When I want to use the filter, I remove it from the case and screw the entire assembly to the phone and I'm ready to go.

This system requires a case with a 17mm threaded mounting system. Reeflex has it's own case, but there are other companies that use this 17mm thread method. One is SandMarc. I have a Sandmarc case for other attachments and it works fine with the Reeflex threaded disc.

Threaded case options

Links to Items

ReeFlex G-Series - Step-Up Adapters and Camera Mount Set 67mm

ReeFlex Case with 17mm Threaded Ports

Life Pixel Magnetic External Mounted Infrared Filter

Sandmarc iPhone Cases

Pros

• Will work with any phone for which you can purchase a 17mm threaded case (Reeflex, Sandmarc)
• Securely holds filter with magnetic threaded disc
• Magnetic filter from LifePixel makes it very convenient to quicky attach and remove.
• Does not interfere with tripod mounts or grips like the ProGrip by ShiftCam.
• It comes with a magnetic lens cap that I find useful

Cons

• Does not work with some androids
• Requires a case with threaded ports 
• Does not cover all lenses

Insights

• Requies a case with 17mm threaded ports, available from ReeFlex and SandMarc.
• Cases with threaded ports are available with Mag Safe, but MagSafe is not required
• Requires a 67mm magnetic filter from LifePixel.

As always, thanks for reading. I hope this informs you about the options available at this time for attaching an IR filter to your mobile phone. 

For more information and to network with others who are exploring infrared photography with their mobile phone, visit or join our Facebook group, Open Group! Infrard on the iPhone. It's a great place to see the work others are doing, ask questions, and learn photographing and processing methods.

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