Recipe for coating for infrared flashbulbs

Mike Té · Jul 13, 2023

I'm looking for a recipe for a home-made coating for infrared flashbulbs.
Might anyone have that info kicking around? I was sure that I had written one down; if so, it's well-hidden away somewhere.
Willem-Jan Markerink used to have one up on his now-defunct website....
TIA.

Anon Ymous · Jul 13, 2023

Mike Té said:
Willem-Jan Markerink used to have one up on his now-defunct website....

Then your best bet is archive.org

Mike Té · Jul 14, 2023

Anon Ymous said:
Then your best bet is archive.org

Thanks for that tip. Couldn't find it though, despite many combinations of key words. I had fun, however, will save the URL.

Kino · Jul 15, 2023

Mike Té said:
Thanks for that tip. Couldn't find it though, despite many combinations of key words. I had fun, however, will save the URL.

Here's one from WWII: good luck finding the dyes...

Xylo · Jul 15, 2023

I think you stand a better chance encapsulating the bulb in a plastic film that's IR transparent.
On one of my projects I used a few layers of darkened C-41 film leader. And yes, it will make funny bubbles when subjected to the flash's heat.

Have you thought of ordering a small roll of black window tint from AliExpress?
This film can be shrunk with a heat gun and is maybe IR transparent.

Mike Té · Jul 15, 2023

Kino said:
Here's one from WWII: good luck finding the dyes...

THanks!

Mike Té · Jul 15, 2023

Xylo said:
I think you stand a better chance encapsulating the bulb in a plastic film that's IR transparent.
On one of my projects I used a few layers of darkened C-41 film leader. And yes, it will make funny bubbles when subjected to the flash's heat.

Have you thought of ordering a small roll of black window tint from AliExpress?
This film can be shrunk with a heat gun and is maybe IR transparent.

VERY cool suggestions; thanks.

Xylo · Jul 16, 2023

Mike Té said:
VERY cool suggestions; thanks.

You're welcome!
Best of all is you can test it with any digicam by simply sticking it in front of the lens and pointing it to an IR rich light source.

BrianShaw · Jul 16, 2023

Interesting project!

For a filtering solution, which may be more likely than a coating solution, I believe that most window tinting is actually UV blocking so might not be what you seek. UV bandpass filters are available, but really expensive. The inexpensive filtering solution for many projects, Rosco gel filters, appears to be a no-go in this case. What a shame. It seems that UV photography wasn't intended to be easy for the masses...

Google Search

BTW, just for education sake and fun I searched for those dyes in the recipe posted by @Kino. Can be procured today but at considerable expense.

Lab Equipment and Lab Supplies | Fisher Scientific

Your source for innovative, indispensable lab equipment, lab supplies, and services. View our wide selection of products for scientific research and education.

www.fishersci.com

Have you thought of applying for a grant to pay for this?

grants for photography - Google Search

Xylo · Jul 17, 2023

BrianShaw said:
I believe that most window tinting is actually UV blocking so might not be what you seek.

But it might be IR transparent like the OP wants.

Mike Té · Jul 19, 2023

Thanks for the insight and for the links, Brian.
I also did look up the availability of the chemicals; thinking about it....
Expensive, yes, but small amounts to make a batch and each batch might actually go a long way. But, yeah, would cost several hundred dollars.
At the moment, I'm running through my 5Rs; limited supply. They come up now and again on auction/sales sites. I found a few more recently.

BrianShaw said:
BTW, just for education sake and fun I searched for those dyes in the recipe posted by @Kino. Can be procured today but at considerable expense.

Recipe for coating for infrared flashbulbs

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency