Latest revision as of 15:30, 14 February 2013

What?

To turn a digital camera (Canon S40) into night vision goggle (NVG)

Why?

investigate IR light sensitivity of a standard CCD chip with and without IR filter lens mount
to be able to see IR light where human eye fails to do so
I took a standard security camera IR illuminator and tried to take photos in dark with it. The result was not very satisfying, so I decided to remove the IR lens inside the camera.

How?

Do not do this at home with your latest camera!

Few hints:

make a list of screws you took away and take photos of the disassembly
you will need micro sizes of phillips and torx screwdrivers
the IR filter is located right in front of CCD chip

Conclusion

The visiblity of IR light vastly improved, but tweaks of the focus are necessary.
It is certainly possible to build a night vision device based on IR illumintaion.
The hardware is available for anyone who would like to continue the build of NVG.

Images

IR illuminator, light normally almost invisible, visible by normal camera

IR illuminator, light normally almost invisible, visible by normal camera
Shot taken in dark, distance 30 cm

Shot taken in dark, distance 30 cm
IR filter removed, illuminator lights brightly

IR filter removed, illuminator lights brightly
Dark room photo, obviously bad focusing

Dark room photo, obviously bad focusing

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 = What? =
-The original mission has been to turn a digital camera (Canon S40) into night vision goggle (NVG)
+To turn a digital camera (Canon S40) into night vision goggle (NVG)
 = Why? =
-) investigate IR light sensitivity of a standard CCD chip with and without the integral IR filter lens.
+# investigate IR light sensitivity of a standard CCD chip with and without IR filter lens mount
-) to be able to see IR light where human eye fails to do so
+# to be able to see IR light where human eye fails to do so
+# I took a standard security camera IR illuminator and tried to take photos in dark with it. The result was not very satisfying, so I decided to remove the IR lens inside the camera.
 = How? =
-Do not do this at home!
+Do not do this at home with your latest camera!
-I took a standard security camera IR illuminator and tried to take photos in dark with it. The result was not very satisfying, so I decided to remove the IR lens inside the camera.
+Few hints:
+* make a list of screws you took away and take photos of the disassembly
-TODO
+* you will need micro sizes of phillips and torx screwdrivers
+* the IR filter is located right in front of CCD chip
 = Conclusion =
-TODO
+* The visiblity of IR light vastly improved, but tweaks of the focus are necessary.
+* It is certainly possible to build a night vision device based on IR illumintaion.
+* The hardware is available for anyone who would like to continue the build of NVG.
 = Images =
 <gallery widths=200>
-Image:nvgIlluminator.jpg | Used IR illuminator, light normally almost invisible
+Image:nvgIlluminator.jpg | IR illuminator, light normally almost invisible, visible by normal camera
 Image:nightshot30cm.JPG | Shot taken in dark, distance 30 cm
+Image:IRPhoto12.JPG | IR filter removed, illuminator lights brightly
+Image:IRPhoto08.JPG | Dark room photo, obviously bad focusing
 </gallery>