Can any (main brand) camcorder use IR?
Discussion
I need to film video at night for a sleep study. I have a Panasonic HD camcorder I got about 10 years ago (which isn’t with me right now so I can’t say which one).
Image quality doesn’t have to be exceptional.
If I get a stand alone IR illuminator will this allow the camcorder to see in pitch black?
I install CCTV as a hobby so I know about moving IR filters, do camcorders have these as standard and if not what is the image quality likely to be like with IR?
Otherwise can I get it done for less than a grand?
Image quality doesn’t have to be exceptional.
If I get a stand alone IR illuminator will this allow the camcorder to see in pitch black?
I install CCTV as a hobby so I know about moving IR filters, do camcorders have these as standard and if not what is the image quality likely to be like with IR?
Otherwise can I get it done for less than a grand?
This one seems to do live recording & has IR:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Security-Rotation...
Cheap enough to have a play with.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Security-Rotation...
Cheap enough to have a play with.
Mr Pointy said:
This one seems to do live recording & has IR:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Security-Rotation...
Cheap enough to have a play with.
Had to change the link but got it to work thanks! https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Security-Rotation...
Cheap enough to have a play with.
Again I really appreciate the suggestion but I need to be able to go through the video easily in one go (these cams have a habit of splitting video up into different files) plus the audio has to be flawless.
I’m really looking for a camcorder solution with built in or external IR
Not my department really, but doesn't the sensor have to be sensitive to IR?
With the Nikon D70 DSLR you could take the anti-alias filter off and then it would see IR: https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-t...
Not sure if all sensors work that way though; the D70 was CCD which I think has been superseded by CMOS.
With the Nikon D70 DSLR you could take the anti-alias filter off and then it would see IR: https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-t...
Not sure if all sensors work that way though; the D70 was CCD which I think has been superseded by CMOS.
Driller said:
Had to change the link but got it to work thanks!
Again I really appreciate the suggestion but I need to be able to go through the video easily in one go (these cams have a habit of splitting video up into different files) plus the audio has to be flawless.
I’m really looking for a camcorder solution with built in or external IR
Sorry about the link. There are several reasons why cameras like this "chunk" the recording but primarily it's down to file issues. Recording one 8 hour file is not trivial as it could get very large & any error would render the whole file useless. The file has to be kept open for the whole record time & isn't closed until the recording finished & that's risky (8 hours of YouTube HD quality is about 29GB).Again I really appreciate the suggestion but I need to be able to go through the video easily in one go (these cams have a habit of splitting video up into different files) plus the audio has to be flawless.
I’m really looking for a camcorder solution with built in or external IR
Something like the Blackmagic Designs Hyperdeck Mini will record a single long file on an external SSD but that doesn't solve your camera IR issue.
OP, you want a Sony camcorder with “Nightshot”. This is proper infrared night recording. The cameras have their own IR emitters, but you can supplement with standalone ones. Recording time is only limited by the size of the SD card you stick in and the picture quality. Modern cameras, you just pop the SD card into a computer and the files are directly playable.
E.g., https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Don’t laugh, but my wife’s hobby is ghost hunting, and IR recording is a big thing in those circles, so we’ve had plenty of IR camcorders over the years.
E.g., https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Don’t laugh, but my wife’s hobby is ghost hunting, and IR recording is a big thing in those circles, so we’ve had plenty of IR camcorders over the years.
Simpo Two said:
Not my department really, but doesn't the sensor have to be sensitive to IR?
With the Nikon D70 DSLR you could take the anti-alias filter off and then it would see IR: https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-t...
Not sure if all sensors work that way though; the D70 was CCD which I think has been superseded by CMOS.
Cheers Simpo, yes that was my understanding too and that there should be a moveable hardware filter to only let IR wavelengths though to ensure a good picture.With the Nikon D70 DSLR you could take the anti-alias filter off and then it would see IR: https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-t...
Not sure if all sensors work that way though; the D70 was CCD which I think has been superseded by CMOS.
Sadly the manufacturers don’t seem to go out of their way to make the presence of these features clear in the specification of their products.
I don’t have the time to tinker much (much as I love to) unfortunately,
I tried my Panasonic HCV100 in the dark using the IR light from a Foscam IP camera. I put it on a “low light” scene mode and…….
it was utterly useless, made no difference at all.
So it looks like if I want to go the camcorder route it will have to be something high quality $$$ with an IR sensor as you said ir put up with some ambient light whilst sleeping.
Mr Pointy said:
Sorry about the link. There are several reasons why cameras like this "chunk" the recording but primarily it's down to file issues.
Makes sense, every day’s a school day and all that, thanks for the explanation If it's for a one-off, you might want to look at hiring in a full-frame cine camera and lens; something like a Blackmagic 6k pro or Sony FX9 or similar. These have remarkable low-light capability and super-high ISO. You'd need to throw a little light in but not to a degree I'd imagine would affect the subject but what you'll get is something far more detailed than you might with IR.
As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
StevieBee said:
If it's for a one-off, you might want to look at hiring in a full-frame cine camera and lens; something like a Blackmagic 6k pro or Sony FX9 or similar. These have remarkable low-light capability and super-high ISO. You'd need to throw a little light in but not to a degree I'd imagine would affect the subject but what you'll get is something far more detailed than you might with IR.
As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
Stevie thanks for taking the time to reply. Blackmagic 6k looks like an amazing thing and if if I had photography GAS rather than music GAS I would probably get one!As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
I got by in the end by having a low level light on and using the low light mode on the Panny camcorder + a Zoom recorder for sound.
StevieBee said:
If it's for a one-off, you might want to look at hiring in a full-frame cine camera and lens; something like a Blackmagic 6k pro or Sony FX9 or similar. These have remarkable low-light capability and super-high ISO. You'd need to throw a little light in but not to a degree I'd imagine would affect the subject but what you'll get is something far more detailed than you might with IR.
As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
A Blackmagic 6K or FX9 aren’t exactly go to low light cams. I’d be looking at a Sony A7s (ii) or (iii) or an old Canon ME-20F.As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
Sound like OP has solved it anyway!
Phunk said:
StevieBee said:
If it's for a one-off, you might want to look at hiring in a full-frame cine camera and lens; something like a Blackmagic 6k pro or Sony FX9 or similar. These have remarkable low-light capability and super-high ISO. You'd need to throw a little light in but not to a degree I'd imagine would affect the subject but what you'll get is something far more detailed than you might with IR.
As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
A Blackmagic 6K or FX9 aren’t exactly go to low light cams. I’d be looking at a Sony A7s (ii) or (iii) or an old Canon ME-20F.As mentioned, you'll need to think about what you record onto and how but these sorts of cameras will give you a wider set of options.
That said, I've just got the 6 and doing some test shots with it and the low light capability is truly astounding!
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff