Hey I just got a Panasonic AG-DVC30, and when I went to try out the Night Image mode something looked funny to me. In my completley dark garage, I was looking through the view finder and it only looked like 3/4ths of the Infrared was working. To get a better visual of what I'm talking about, imagine using a camera with infra red mode turned on, and you know that it looks like a spotlight shining on the wall, then imagine that the top left corner of the circle of light not there, and thats what I see. Now I'm not covering it with m yfinger or anything so don't call me an idiot, and I pulled off the device surrounding the lense and it kind of helped it, but I'm just wonderign if this is how it SHOULD be. If someone needs a picture of what I'm talking about email me. Please only people who have this camera or have used this camera respond.
Infra Red Question
- Thread starter FOXMAN09
- Start date
Several things here. A picture posted in the thread would be most useful and would get you more replies. 
That said, the 'infrared' mode on all video cameras of which I know are actually *near* infrared. They work by emitting an beam of light just past the ability of human perception which the camera can detect. Basically it's like shining an invisible flashlight onto the scene that only the camera can see. So.. you may be having several issues:
1) The near infrared emitter is partially blocked (this isn't necessarily near the lens)
2) The emitted beam doesn't cover the entire field of view
or
3) Objects in part of the frame are too far away for the beam to reach, reflect off of, and then be picked up by the camera
First thing: try looking in the manual to find where the emitter is located
That said, the 'infrared' mode on all video cameras of which I know are actually *near* infrared. They work by emitting an beam of light just past the ability of human perception which the camera can detect. Basically it's like shining an invisible flashlight onto the scene that only the camera can see. So.. you may be having several issues:
1) The near infrared emitter is partially blocked (this isn't necessarily near the lens)
2) The emitted beam doesn't cover the entire field of view
or
3) Objects in part of the frame are too far away for the beam to reach, reflect off of, and then be picked up by the camera
First thing: try looking in the manual to find where the emitter is located
Chris Stearns
Well-known member
Looks like something's blocking the infra red LED's. Do you have anything attached to the lens?