How I destroyed a camera

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What?

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

Why?

  1. investigate IR light sensitivity of a standard CCD chip with and without IR filter lens mount
  2. to be able to see IR light where human eye fails to do so
  3. 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

  • Shot taken in dark, distance 30 cm

  • IR filter removed, illuminator lights brightly

  • Dark room photo, obviously bad focusing

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