Discrete control of Night Vision mode and LEDs?

Steven Kan

I going to set up two cameras looking into a dark box. I want Camera 1 to be in night vision mode all the time with its LEDs on, no matter what the illumination level. I want Camera 2 to be in daytime mode all the time, with its LEDs off, no matter what the illumination level. Separately I'm going to turn on a visible light every 10 minutes, so I can do a time lapse with Camera 2 (via FTP).

The problem is that Camera 1's LEDs are going to mess up the Camera 2's light sensor, and the periodic "strobe" is going to push Camera 1 out of night mode.

Is there a way to program these modes to On or Off, so that they're not dependent on the light level?

More detail:

I have an RLC-410 and an RLC-411 looking at a "swarm trap," intended to capture a wondrous event, as a feral swarm of bees moves in:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIVY11504PcY2sy2qpRhiMg/live

and

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FH1CCSdg1-W9mlJ52cceQ/live

I capture this type of event last spring, but with a terrible camera. I want to do this again, with two good cameras:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwl-NjRIn6k&feature=youtu.be&t=2h44m0s

I also want to add a 3rd camera, looking in from the side, to build a time-lapse video of the honey comb being built, similar to what this guy did in 2010:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRuAMkRgnEE

carbonita

Set camera1 to black&white (BW) mode. IR LEDs will turn on when (visible spectrum) photocell is not illuminated. Cover the photocell (tape, paint, desolder) if LEDs must stay on even when lit. Add an external IR illuminator if needed.

Set camera2 to color only mode. The built-in IR cut filter will remove any IR light, including from camera1.

I do this with my mix of 410/411's, but for two-legged buggers, not 6-legged bugs (not to disrespect the useful bees:) ).

Steven Kan

Thanks! I'll try this sometime next week when my Raspberry Pi breadboard comes in and I can build my visible LED panel.

stevensmiller1

When I was writing an essay I found some content I needed. It is related to your question.
Read this article, there is a chance it would help you: digikey.in/en/articles/techzone/2015/jun/infrared-leds-maintain-the-night-watch