Unlike most digital cameras, there is no IR or UV filtering in front of the image sensor. This results in a wide spectral response of approximately 1000nm to 380nm (infrared to ultraviolet). Suitable external bandpass filters are required to photograph in IR or UV wavelengths. Infrared filters are readily available at low cost from many sources, but ultraviolet filters – and suitable lenses – can be expensive.
Photography in infrared and ultraviolet poses its own special challenges regarding exposure and – above all – focusing a SLR camera. By definition, these forms of light are invisible to the human eye. The IS Pro includes a Live View mode that relays what the sensor sees as live video to the LCD screen (and, optionally, via USB to a computer running appropriate software). Some lenses have separate IR focus index marks, which help, but few if any have UV marks. True ultraviolet photographic lenses are generally made from special glass because normal optical glass does not pass UV particularly well. However, because the sensor is only sensitive to long-wavelength UV, a quartz lens is not required.
The IS Pro was originally intended for specialist markets like Forensic photography, medical, museum and fine art. FujiFilm generally restricts the sale of these cameras to professional users in these and similar fields; their EULA specifically prohibits "unethical photographic conduct".[1] Very few have ever gone on open public sale, although some were made available via dealers at closeout prices in fall 2010.
A niche use for these cameras is in field of astrophotography. The extended IR and UV sensitivity makes them useful for imaging Ha emission nebulae.
