Gels

Can I use Congo Blue Gels to make an IR illuminator?

I've read a lot about using Congo blue as a lens filter, but was wondering if it worked both ways? I have several "night vision" cameras that I would like to boost the performance of by increasing the illumination. I was hoping I could just take some gels and make my own IR illuminators. Any thoughts?

Public Comments

1. Yes, you can get filters that pass only the IR wavelengths. To make illuminators, you could use an array of IR LEDs. One cheap source of filter material. is exposed piece of color negative film developed through the normal process, or unexposed color slide film. To be clear though, the Congo Blue filters filter out IR. You want different filters that pass only IR.