Dumb question. I've been wanting to get into IR optics for a while. Does every camera lens come with IR and IR filter, and would this one somehow not? It seems IR optics are insanely expensive for some reason.
there are lenses optimized for near ir 700-1000nm. above 1000nm you'll need InGaAs sensors that are so expensive that the lens will be a secondary problem
What wavelength range? Silicon detectors cut off at about 1000 nm, glass optics start cutting off around 2500 nm. Then you get into exotic materials that are expensive.
If you want to work with 5000 nm - 10,000 nm in that price range, you can use an affordable thermal camera with a microbolometer sensor. Surplus silicon and germanium lenses can sometimes be found cheap on eBay, and there are always a lot of very low priced zinc selenide lenses for sale (intended for the CO2 laser cutter market).
