Monochrome CCD video camera and IR LEDs

[SimonLW]

Looking for a sensitive monochrome CCD video camera for night time wildlife
observation and infrared use. What peak wavelength for IR LED sould be
selected?
Thanks

 

[David Lee]

SimonLW wrote...

Looking for a sensitive monochrome CCD video camera for night time
wildlife observation and infrared use. What peak wavelength for IR LED
sould be selected?

A Sony camcorder with NightShot capability will work very well. I've seen
one in use monitoring bat emergence from a tree roost with superb results.

Neither the built-in IR illuminator nor the Sony "high-brightness" accessory
IR light is supposed to be very good for use at any distance. However Bat
Conservation and Management Inc claim to supply a very much better LED
illuminator: www.batmanagement.com/Ordering/irlight/irlight.html. Peak
wavelength is specified as 810nm. Battery life: 9hrs using a 12V 5Ah
battery. Beam angle 20 degrees. Range about 60 ft (to resolve bats)
dependent upon the model of camcorder and zoom setting of the lens.

Another option is to use an IR filter on a high intensity halogen spotlamp -
since most naturalists working at night will probably need to use such a
lamp anyway. For example see the Cluson CB2 and accessories:
www.cluson.co.uk/productsMain.aspx?CI_ID=5 &
www.cluson.co.uk/productsMain.aspx?CI_ID=34

David

 

[SimonLW]

SimonLW wrote...

A Sony camcorder with NightShot capability will work very well. I've seen
one in use monitoring bat emergence from a tree roost with superb results.

Neither the built-in IR illuminator nor the Sony "high-brightness"
accessory IR light is supposed to be very good for use at any distance.
However Bat Conservation and Management Inc claim to supply a very much
better LED illuminator:
www.batmanagement.com/Ordering/irlight/irlight.html. Peak wavelength is
specified as 810nm. Battery life: 9hrs using a 12V 5Ah battery. Beam
angle 20 degrees. Range about 60 ft (to resolve bats) dependent upon the
model of camcorder and zoom setting of the lens.

Another option is to use an IR filter on a high intensity halogen
spotlamp - since most naturalists working at night will probably need to
use such a lamp anyway. For example see the Cluson CB2 and accessories:
www.cluson.co.uk/productsMain.aspx?CI_ID=5 &
www.cluson.co.uk/productsMain.aspx?CI_ID=34

David

I was thinking of a monochrome camera with the CS lens mount. I would expect
a bit more sensitivity since the CCD lacks the color filter array and would
have larger sensing elements for lower noise. The B&W cameras usually do
better with resolution too. Of course, color is of no use here.

The filter over halogen is a good idea. I'll have to experiment with
underdriving the lamps since visible light is not necessary here.
Thanks

 

[David Lee]

SimonLW wrote...

I was thinking of a monochrome camera with the CS lens mount. I would
expect a bit more sensitivity since the CCD lacks the color filter array
and would have larger sensing elements for lower noise. The B&W cameras
usually do better with resolution too. Of course, color is of no use here.

See if you can borrow a "NightShot" enabled camcorder before you go down the
mono CCD route - I think that you will be surprised how good it is. It also
has the advantage of built-in recording and you can immediately switch to
normal colour mode using a halogen lamp if you want to get some colour
sequences. It's particularly good for bat work because you can use the same
camera for recording the area around the roost before dark and then record
the bats using NightShot.

Sony NightShot cameras are now being used for scientific work - some
examples taken at random from a quick search are:
http://bces.cnu.edu/documents/Eastetal.pdf,
http://bces.cnu.edu/documents/Warrenetal.pdf &
http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may102003/1253.pdf

David