Infrared (IR) camera systems for and a method of obtaining infrared images of target subjects are provided. In one embodiment, an IR camera system (10) includes a lens (12), a number of IR pass filters (14), an optical detector (16), a processor (18) mounted on a circuit board (20), a distance sensor (22), a visible light sensor (24), an IR light sensor (26), an IR illuminator (28), and a number of video outputs (30), all of which may be disposed within an appropriately configured housing (32). The filters (14) are mounted on a juke-box like rack system (34) also included within the housing (32). The processor (18) determines which pass filter is needed in order to optimize the image and sends an electronic signal to the rack system (34) directing the rack system (34) to move the appropriate filter (14) into the optical pathway between the lens (12) and the optical detector (16) and pull all of the other IR filters (14) out of the optical pathway between the lens (12) and the optical detector (16).