IR camera in obs: bad idea?

[Euan]

Hello peoples

I have an IR filter removed webcam in the obs, with an IR blaster to light the place up in darkness

While this is really handy and is piece of mind while watching the kit work away, is it really a good idea to have the whole lot bathed in IR?

I'm a bit worried I may be unintentionally affecting something imaging wise, although I haven't actually tried it with and without

[Trull]

Don't think it will affect anything either way, easiest way to test would be a five minute dark frame taken on a sunny day. Any stray light paths will surely turn up then!

[yesyes]

I think it would depend on the IR sensitivity of your imaging camera. If it's an unmodded DSLR, then it will have an IR filer and you should be fine.

[FraserClarke]

Typically these IR LEDs are emitting at about 850nm -- well within the sensitivity range of a CCD. BVR/Ha filters etc will probably block most of this light of course.

Just take two exposures back-to-back; one with the lights on, one with the lights off. That will tell you if it is a problem. I'd do that for all the filters, just to check if any of them have a red-leak which might let some of the LED light through.

[Euan]

I've ended up just turning it off, due to the street lights it actually manages to still show the scope (but only just)

I can just make out passing cloud as well now which is quite useful