Flaring the Lens // Damaging the Sensor

[Tom Taugher]

Hello!

I have an upcoming project in which I was looking at doing what Matty from Straight Outta Compton and Paul Cameron on Total Recall (2012), which is intentionally flaring the lens.

My question is, is there any flashlights or sources I should avoid shining into the lens for fear of damaging the sensor.
I know lasers are a huge no no, as those will destroy the pixels on the sensor.

But as far as Xenon Flashlights, are those safe?
Anyone have any brands or specific flashlights they have used to flare the lens?

Thanks again in advance!

 

[Nick Morrison]

We've personally had no issues flares flashlights and fresnels into camera...though perhaps we were lucky...

 

[Nick Gardner]

I think you'd be hard pressed to point any light source other than a laser at the sensor and damage it. You can shoot welding and the sun with it, I have personally shot 4k hmi pars right down the barrel for the flare, and never had any problem.

Nick

 

[Tom Taugher]

I was looking to use this flashlight, just wanted to throw it out there to you guys and see what you thought?

8500 Lumens is bright, just want to make sure that if I were to flare the lens that you didn't think this was TOO BRIGHT.
I don't want to risk damaging the sensor.

But that being said, can't see this being brighter than the Sun, and I have shot subjects where direct sunlight was hitting the frame/sensor.

Anyways, just wanted your thoughts, anyone have expirence with flaring the lens with a high output flashlight?

Link to HID Xenon
http://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Sp...1&keywords=New+85W+HID+Xenon+Torch+Flashlight

 

[Hal Long]

Too bright is relative and depends on what you want to do with it. When using flashlights on a particular camera, it's a good idea to buy and test if you have time. Then, return the unused ones. I did a horror piece where we wanted nice sharp beams in a catacomb. We ordered a couple of surefire and comparable lights with varying output and tested them with varying haze in the air to find the right light.

Also, several times we've simply bought a very high output flashlight and one of my guys has cut little ND gel disks to drop in and fine tune the output.