Sony Nightshot -IR or ambient light for nightvision? at DVinfo.net

James Emory · October 30th, 2005, 02:54 AM

Does the Sony Nightshot camera produce its own IR to see in the dark or does it use existing light such as ambient, moon or star light? I am specifically talking about the camera that was known for x-ray vision.

James Emory · October 31st, 2005, 12:00 AM

Does the nightshot have firewire?

Jos Svendsen · October 31st, 2005, 01:43 AM

Sonys níghtshot is basicly a removal of the IR-filter from the sensor, meaning that the camera gets sensitive to "infra-pink". It is not sensitive to heat, but only the high infrared spectrum.

The resolution is the same in nightshot mode as in normal mode, so the color information is discarded in order to boost sentivity and the picture is tintet green in order to look like a picture from a night vision camera.

All Sony cameras has a build in red LED-light that gives some IR-light, and in my experience you have to use this as the pictures otherwise will go totally dark.

You can get extra IR-lights from Sony.

The X-ray camera you mentioned is one of the first Video8 cameras. In all later cameras Sonys has put in two IR-filters, as they discovered the hard way, that certain cotton frabrics are transparrent to low frequency IR. You get sort of instant wet t-shirt effect.

And no - there is no firewire on video8 cameras, but the tapes can be played back on digital8 cameras with firewire.

James Emory · October 31st, 2005, 01:49 AM

Thanks for the info. So can the x-ray version see in total darkness? I need to shoot something with ambient star light.

Jos Svendsen · October 31st, 2005, 11:43 AM

No - The xray vision as you call it is not a light amplifier. Here you have to use real nightvison as this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

These nigthscopes amplify light, and do have an cameraadaptor so a videocamera can be used with them

DJ Kinney · October 31st, 2005, 02:02 PM

Oh, and it's polyester fabrics. Not cotton. Just FYI. Interestingly, and sleazily, most bikinis are polyester.

October 30th, 2005, 02:54 AM	#1
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Sony Nightshot -IR or ambient light for nightvision? Does the Sony Nightshot camera produce its own IR to see in the dark or does it use existing light such as ambient, moon or star light? I am specifically talking about the camera that was known for x-ray vision.

October 31st, 2005, 12:00 AM	#2
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Sony Nightshot & Firewire Does the nightshot have firewire?

October 31st, 2005, 01:43 AM	#3
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	Sonys níghtshot is basicly a removal of the IR-filter from the sensor, meaning that the camera gets sensitive to "infra-pink". It is not sensitive to heat, but only the high infrared spectrum. The resolution is the same in nightshot mode as in normal mode, so the color information is discarded in order to boost sentivity and the picture is tintet green in order to look like a picture from a night vision camera. All Sony cameras has a build in red LED-light that gives some IR-light, and in my experience you have to use this as the pictures otherwise will go totally dark. You can get extra IR-lights from Sony. The X-ray camera you mentioned is one of the first Video8 cameras. In all later cameras Sonys has put in two IR-filters, as they discovered the hard way, that certain cotton frabrics are transparrent to low frequency IR. You get sort of instant wet t-shirt effect. And no - there is no firewire on video8 cameras, but the tapes can be played back on digital8 cameras with firewire. __________________ ---------------------------- 12c41 JOS. Svendsen

October 31st, 2005, 11:43 AM	#5
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	No - The xray vision as you call it is not a light amplifier. Here you have to use real nightvison as this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation These nigthscopes amplify light, and do have an cameraadaptor so a videocamera can be used with them __________________ ---------------------------- 12c41 JOS. Svendsen

October 31st, 2005, 01:49 AM	#4
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Thanks for the info. So can the x-ray version see in total darkness? I need to shoot something with ambient star light.

October 31st, 2005, 02:02 PM	#6
DJ Kinney Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 277	Oh, and it's polyester fabrics. Not cotton. Just FYI. Interestingly, and sleazily, most bikinis are polyester.