Re: Looking for vidicon camera with enhanced S1 or similar 1.2-1.6micron viewing

Bob May wrote:
If vidions do that job well (I don't think so as they get run without an IR
filter) any of the old huge VHS camcorders should do you well. I do believe
that most of them used a 1/2" tube in there. I do have some 1" tubes and
two cameras that will accept them but really aren't interested in selling
them.

Vidicons used in common camcorders have little IR sensitvity and essentially none beyond 1 micron. Even the silicon target vidicons only go to about 1.1 micron like a silicon CCD. They wouild be useless for trying to see an erbium laser or 1310 or 1550nm communications lasers.

Electrophysics has made vidicons for many years with IR sensitive photocathodes which, depending on model, have sensitivity beyond 1.6 microns. They show up on ebay ocasionally and typically bring $2500 to $3500 in good working condition. They're still an economic choice compared to InGaAs CCD's for similar resolution.

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