Infra-red lighting query

I'm just wondering it is possible to take a regular flash/studio strobe unit and modify it for infra red lighting in a simple, non-permanent manner? I'm thinking to get a usable amount of light from a setup it can't be a simple as just placing a filter over the front of the flash to restrict the released light to IR - however if the bulbs can be easily replaced/swapped between regular and IR that would be very beneficial.

For the record I'm looking at regular speedlites (eg 580EXII) and at options such as the Lencarta Safari Li-on
http://www.lencarta.co​m …-on-portable-flash-system

*liittle nudge*

I think you may need to explain the purpose for infra red only lighting?

A long term plan of mine to one day to night shooting, but with an infra red (ie nightvision) setup as opposed to normal light. I'd have to use an IR spotlight and the combination of that with a modified DSLR and liveview (since one can't see IR light with the naked eye).

Thus the ability to have flash units which can be positioned and controlled as well as able to put out a much stronger focused amount of light would be greatly advantageous.

It should work with just IR filters, but you will lose a lot of light. I don't know what the spectral distribution of light from a Speedlite is though, so I couldn't say how much. If you already have the flash you could try it relatively cheaply. I'm still not sure why you want the flash to be IR though. I can understand you using an IR light to be able to see what's going on, but the flash itself could still be visible light couldn't it?

I've used an unmodified speedlite on a IR converted camera with good results.

You could always get some IR LEDs like what they use on security cameras and baby monitors.

Madweasel - true I guess I can't change the nature of the light with a filter so I would just be getting regular light minus everything but the IR from the flash. The only bonus is that it would mean that I wasn't putting out a visible light burst*
Sadly I can't test any of this, its more a long term plan and sadly my 400D lacks live view so its not suitable for IR conversion for this specific use.

Scatterrbrained - my only problem with LEDs is their output, they seem to put out very little actual light unless I start looking at specialist ones (by which point the costs start to creep up).

* and yeah I know different creatures see light in different wave bands so that complicates thing further.

Does this help anything? I am not sure exactly what you want to do. A 665nm modified camera. Two images with the same camera settings. One with flash. The other without.

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Overread wrote in post #13785032
The only bonus is that it would mean that I wasn't putting out a visible light burst*

There is a product that you can use on your pop up flash that blocks the visible light and transmits only the IR light. Used on camera's that use the pop up flash to convey flash settings to slave speedlites. I'll see if I can find it. Maybe that will led you to what you want.

Here you go.

Link.

Maybe you can find something that covers the whole speedlite. I just wonder if it would melt being so close to the flash tube.

Melting might be a problem - though if I can find a suitably priced filter material I could always adapt it into a softbox design - granted I lose some power with the light that way, but it should help avoid the overheating problem

Thanks for the test shot - getting more light there than I was thinking possible with the light loss

Overread wrote in post #13785140
Thanks for the test shot - getting more light there than I was thinking possible with the light loss

You are welcome. Not sure how the 720nm filter would affect the flash's lighting capabilities.