Infra red camera?

[Davebutterflyman]

Hi.

Is there such a thing as a digital SLR which has the capability of taking images at night? or any form of night viewing scope or binocular?.Myself and my wife had an encounter with Tawny and Little owls a few nights ago and would love to be able to capture stills or video footage of them.I am fully aware it may be difficult to do this but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Dave.

[Peter_Perfect]

By fitting a suitable IR filter, a DSLR with a sensitive sensor to IR (Pentax K100 or equiv have a good reputation) for a still exposure. I have not done this but I suspect a very long exposure. For action pictures I would imagine a image intensifier might be needed. This is a specialist area that I rarely seen mentioned on the net. Keep looking!

[njlarsen]

A google search for night vision can be combined with both binocular and camcorder, so such items do exist. I have no idea of cost or quality.

Niels

[postcardcv]

The easiest and probably cheapest route for viewing and recording would be a Sony camcorder with Nightshot mode. I have an old Hi8 one and it it brilliant for night stuff (though you get the Blair Witch green glow), it's the only reason I still keep it. A lot of the Sony models have this so it is easy to find and not too expensive.

IR photograhpy is a bit of a challenge to say the least - the internal IR filter tends to be quite strong if you and an IR pass filter on the front then you'll need long exposures (often a couple of seconds) and no doubt longer at night. Check out the thread here for more info - http://www.worldphotographyforum.com/showthread.php?t=4494 Even with an IR converted camera you'd need an extra IR light source to get any decent results at night.

[Davebutterflyman]

Thanks very much for the replies.

I have just googled the Sony DCR-HC47 Handycam and this was used by someone to take footage of badgers in pitch black with great results so i might check this one out.

[Claymore]

The easiest and probably cheapest route for viewing and recording would be a Sony camcorder with Nightshot mode. I have an old Hi8 one and it it brilliant for night stuff (though you get the Blair Witch green glow), it's the only reason I still keep it. A lot of the Sony models have this so it is easy to find and not too expensive.

IR photograhpy is a bit of a challenge to say the least - the internal IR filter tends to be quite strong if you and an IR pass filter on the front then you'll need long exposures (often a couple of seconds) and no doubt longer at night. Check out the thread here for more info - http://www.worldphotographyforum.com/showthread.php?t=4494 Even with an IR converted camera you'd need an extra IR light source to get any decent results at night.

I agree the Sony's are excellent, they are even better if you use a IR Illuminator lamp (like poachers/Hunters use) I too have an old Hi8 Sony for same reason! I video'd a barn owl by accident a few years ago!:eek!: I saw a Tawny fly past my lounge window and ran out back with the Sony, totally missed the Tawny but just as i was closing the door noticed something white and approx 20ft away a Barn Owl was flying directly at me:eek!: so i only got a few seconds footage but it was a 1st for me.
When I got the XL2 (Canon) I had visions of loads of cracking close up movie quality shots but as usual its all down to the user and so far I have Stoats/Birds/Deer etc but no Owls:C
Brian

[Davebutterflyman]

Thanks for your response Brian and i've just had a look at the Canon XL2 and that is one serious bit of kit! but even at that price it is certainly worth considering.

Dave.

[Claymore]

Thanks for your response Brian and i've just had a look at the Canon XL2 and that is one serious bit of kit! but even at that price it is certainly worth considering.

Dave.

Just had a quick look at the Nature UK website! loads of great stuff to read and cracking photo's! has it been going long?
Cheers
Brian:t:

[Stephen Fletcher]

Some Canon DSLR's also come in an 'A' model, which has no IR filter, and is designed for taking images of the night sky.

[postcardcv]

Some Canon DSLR's also come in an 'A' model, which has no IR filter, and is designed for taking images of the night sky.

As I understand it there is still and IR filter in the camera it's just not as strong as the normal version of the camera. The only one I've ever seen was a 20Da, I don't know of any other Canon's that have been released with the reduced strength IR filter. http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/cameras/digital_slr/eos20da/index.asp