I want to do some nighttime recording with my camera outdoors, and it’s a Sony with a good nightshot plus mode, but the infrared bulbs built into the camera are only good for 20 feet or so. I’m hoping I can find a way to relatively cheaply buy or make something like an infrared flashlight or spotlight so that I can illuminate a larger area for recording. Any suggestions?
Check Ebay. There’s some nice LED ones on there for cheap.
You can also find some pre-made “toilet seat” designs, which clip around the lens.
Ditto LED types. It is much easier to make an efficient high power LED in the near infrared than in the visible.