We can learn a lot about Night vision and infrared (IR) lighting. When the cameras have low to no-light situations, infrared cameras are the very popular choice for an easy quick fix. But to look more deeply into the issue, and understanding the camera vision and sensors, the infrared lighting is a much more complex and interesting matter.
All of our camera have sensors that are made up of two major ingredients: germanium and silicon – these materials are used and will factor exactly how the lens can react to the light coming from an outside source. Also many of the cameras sensors that are used with our security cameras use are actually developed and made by camcorder companies. These makers invest a huge amount of time and money to make a sensor that can operate in the spectrum of light that the human eye can see. Our eyes can see light in about a wavelength spectrum of 380nm to 760nm. Infrared light coming from our night vision cameras are considered any light wave length above 715nm. That gives approximately 45nm of the IR light spectrum we can see, which is why you can see a pinkish or red color around the lens from the LEDs at night.
Color is achieved by inserting a red, blue, and green filter in front of the sensors. These filters lead to a drop in resolution and quality in image over the monochrome image. Also, with the filters in place, the camera cannot view IR lights. Despite this, there are dual-mode cameras that can do both color and monochrome. When the light sensor detects the light dropping below a certain lux, the camera will remove the filters and turn on the IR lights. The image will go from color to black and white and therefore infrared lighting remains king when you need to see in the dark.
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