Infra-Red Camera Modification

I had an old Genious G Shot D211 lying around, and it was pretty much useless because of its obsoleteness.

After reading a lot of tutorials on making IR cameras, I thought ill do one myself. Making one is not exactly 'making' it, rather modifying or hacking an existing camera. It can be done to any model, but remember every model has a different type of IR filter in it.

I have included some images for you to see how pictures look like on the IR spectrum.

There are several types of IR filters included in a digital camera.

Some can be easily removed, these are separate glass lenses mounted on the same casing as your main focus lens, but removable when you open the setup. Some have to be broken like mine, which is on the same casing as the main lens, but glued to the casing. Some are painted on the main lens like nail polish either with IR on one side and UV filter paint on the other side or both on the same side. These have to be scratched, which is a very delicate process.

After removing the IR filter you get an image which contains spectrum information all over the range [See the first image, on the left]. To get only IR through to your sensor, you use a simple, fully exposed, tape of negative. What this does is, it blocks the visible spectrum from entering and allows only IR/UV. However, the CMOS sensor cannot detect UV very well, so you get just the IR spectrum. Here are some images.

Some useful links have been provided to check out other mods and hacks and the theory of IR Photography.

Without IR/UV filter.

With fully exposed negative.

Without IR/UV filter.

With fully exposed negative.

Electric Stove, full heat.

Electric Stove, full heat, closeup.

Electric Stove turning off.

CMOS Image Sensor Technolog

Awesome article on basics of light, detection methods and CMOS and CCD technology. This one answered a lot of questions of how sensors pic up different frequencies of light and calculates the needed one.

Notes on Image processing in CMOS

A short but involving article on how CMOS sensors interpolate and correct the pixel colors they receive.

  

Professional IR Photography

Explains how to take proper photos with different cameras and also explains the basics of IR photography. A very nice read.

Links to other homemade IR projects: 
Infra Red Webcam 
DIY IR Security camera