An infrared camera allows you to shoot in twilight or complete darkness without disturbing people in the room. The image is bright and clear, but in black and white.
It is necessary
- - camcorder, webcam, digital camera or phone with a camera;
- - LED flashlight;
- - batteries;
- - infrared LEDs;
- - soldering iron, neutral flux and solder;
- - pliers and miniature pliers.
Instructions
Step 1
As a camera itself, you can use almost any digital camera, camcorder, webcam, mobile phone. All these devices are capable of perceiving not only visible, but also infrared light, so they will not require any alteration. In a photo or video, objects illuminated with this light will appear white. Only expensive cameras equipped with filters that block invisible rays are unsuitable for infrared photography.
Step 2
Use the remote control to test the camera for IR sensitivity. The flashes of its LED, completely invisible to the eye, should be perceived by the camera as bright white, with a slightly bluish tint. If they turn out to be reddish, such a device is also suitable for shooting, but the sensitivity will be worse. Finally, if flashes are not perceived at all, look for another, cheaper device.
Step 3
But the sensitivity to infrared rays alone is not enough for shooting in the dark. A source of such rays is also required. If you have an old analog Sony Handycam in Hi8 format, you already have such a source. It is next to a halogen lamp used for visible illumination. Accordingly, the button for turning it on is located next to the button for turning on the visible spotlight. Press it once and the backlight will turn on, then again and it will turn off. For some cameras, it is turned on and off not with a separate button, but through the menu.
Step 4
If the camera does not have a built-in IR illuminator, it will have to be manufactured. Take a Chinese LED flashlight as a basis - one in which instead of one powerful diode, many low-power ones are installed, with a diameter of e millimeters. Remove the batteries from the flashlight and disassemble it. Unsolder all white diodes, and then replace them, observing the polarity, infrared of the same diameter. Assemble the flashlight and install the batteries, also observing the polarity.
Step 5
To check the resulting infrared illuminator, do not point it directly into the camera - it may be damaged. Light it on an object, and point the camera at it. Try turning off the lights - if shooting continues despite this, you now have a real infrared camera.
