IR Flashlight question

[Guest]

Hey guys. I was doing some research on IR flashlights and read that it worked similarly like a remote control led light, in that it couldn't be seen with the naked eye. I have a Casio ex zr 1000 high speed camera with the eagle vision scope mount on my wildcat . I stood in front of the camera and recorded myself using a remote control and the camera picked up the light coming from the remote control. Does this mean I could attach an IR flashlight to my wildcat and simply use my casio camera for night vision?

 

[T3PRanch]

I'll let you know in about 3 minutes! Be right back. LOL

A quick check in a dark room with an Aimpoint 4X scope, An Exlim 1100 and a 5W IR-850 flashlight say's probably not but the test is not entirely conclusive due to limited test srea. At best guess I think you might see eye flash from animals but not much else. YMMV!

Thurmond

 

[BRS]

Most digital cameras have an IR block filter - the cmos chip is actually likely to be very sensitive to IR but that 'spoils' daytime shots, so they filter the IR out. There were some earlier Sony cameras (handycams) that were very good with IR ('NightShot' & 'SuperNightShot') but the onboard IR lamp rarely helped past 20 yards or so (with an additional IR source they could go right out to 50 yards or so).

Your mileage will vary with different camera models but a clean beamed IR torch (probably LED based) will help, sadly that type of 'torch' are quite expensive.


The Sony handycams worked by using a small lever that flipped the IR block lens out of the light path.