How to make an IR flashgun

[Hamish Gill]

I noticed that the Nikon SB600 still works with the Nikon D100 IR. It is not quite as powerful, but it does still have an effect where there is not enough ambient light.
Obviously the flash doesn't need to be converted, it flashes a large enough spectrum of light to work as a visible light or IR flash as standard.
But I did think it would be quite cool if as I was taking photos of non-visible light, I could artificially light my subject with non-visible light! I'm not going to lie to you, I think it is the 12 year old who likes playing spy games in me ... Don't worry, I have intentions of covertly spying on people ... Infact, I'm not sure I know what I'm going to use this for yet! The only idea I have had so far is for taking photos of people at night to make them look like ghostly figures ... Anyway this is what I did...

Believe it or not, I have tried this IR lark before. I used to have a d70s, I bought a kood R72 filter to go on the 18-70 kit lens. At the time I was not as good with post process. I think in fact this was before lightroom came along - I was pretty rubbish at PP before lightroom... Because of that i never really got anywhere and gave up.

Anyway, knowing I had the R72 filter somewhere, I just needed a way to attach it to the flash.

I cut the top and bottom off a coke can

Wrapped a layer of packing foam around it and tucked it in the one end
This is to hold the can on the flash

I had a damaged 67mm circular polariser that it seemed a shame to just bin, I eventually found a use for it. I smached the already chipped glass out and taped it as a mounting thread for the R72 filter on the other end.

Mounted the filter

Then slotted it over the flash

It works exactly the same as it did before the filter was attached, but now it doesn't give off any visible light... If I was 12 I'd say "THATS COOOL!!" ... I think I must still be 12 ...

There is a very slight red glow as it flashes still, that could just be from the filter being a cheap Kood one?!

 

[Pete Askew]

"... Don't worry, I have intentions of covertly spying on people ... "

What, no black tape (or is brown the new black?)!! Nice idea. Looking forward to seeing the shots.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Hamish, that's cool!

I have some of those night vision goggles which have IR illumination - you should get some great ghostly images at night!

 

[Pete Askew]

I have some of those night vision goggles which have IR illumination

And no doubt a perfectly legitimate use for them too!! It's tricky finding your slippers under the bed when you get up in the night isn't it?!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

It occurs to me that there must be some sort of wild life photography application in this sort of set up??

Thats why most people have night vision glasses I think .. Chris? Is that just an excuse?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Yep - we have wild Javelina come into the yard in Sedona at night, so the goggles were purchased to try and see them.

So far no joy, they must hear us and stay away - SWMBO did see the local black moggy in the dark the first time she tried them out - scared her and the cat to death!

When we do see them, apparently they look like this

 

[Pete Askew]

Do they work with Easter Bunnies too? Hamish might like a pair!!

These wild Javelinas Chris - was it the goggle salesman that was telling you about them by any chance?


What about a camera trap using flash?

 

[Milan Vjestica]

Hamish,

Do you have a Blue Peter badge?

Showing my age now............