Infra red conversion at DVinfo.net

Fred Finn · November 25th, 2005, 03:29 PM

So I've taken my first camera a JVC DVL-510 I've removed the IR filter that sits between the ccd and the lens and in place I've put two small pieces of developed unexposed negatives (the black stuff) from a 35mm camera in place of it. As seen in many webcam hacks. The trouble I've run into is that my focal length has now changed. I came across something somewhere talking about the difference in frequency of the light waves between visible and IR.

I need help with figuring out which direction i need to move the ccd in order to restore focus.

Currently i need to zoom all the (10x) in order to obtain focus of anything. Do I then need to move the ccd away from the lens in order to be able to focus when zoomed out?

And to avoid the constant, "Why would you want to do this?" from the imaginationless just think about the cool effects you can get. My brown hair looks white, my blue eyes look black. My black shirt looks white. And the use of Infrared light as a light source vs. visible light, for night shooting.

Fred Finn · November 25th, 2005, 06:32 PM

ok nm apparently the auto focus mechanism is failing... Good thing i only use at as a deck, although the IR camera does now work it will never leave the desk again as it will now be web cam/ dv deck.

Dan Diaconu · November 25th, 2005, 07:42 PM

Way to go Fred!
To get focus back (all the way) zoom out, open the iris (or use "magic hour"), focus infinity and move the LENS till you get the image sharp. This is another way of adjusting the "focal flange". Since you removed the lens (I would guess) play with the lens ONLY. If you start messing with both (lens and CCD), well... you'll be busy for a while.... Post some footage, I'm sure is fun.

Fred Finn · November 26th, 2005, 10:05 AM

Ok here's some footy. Unfortunately I only had a crummy camera to do this with, as the camera is now totally hacked. This is a short clip of me, I have a red shirt on. The shirt I'm holding up is all black including the stiching. The cd that you see through the shirt cannot normally be seen through the shirt.

The shirt is an atheltic shirt those 100% polyester sweat wicking jobs. http://3ffilms.com/images/IR_shirt.jpg

Here's the footage http://3ffilms.com/video/IR.mov

You can slightly see the DVD with a normal viewing camera, but not enough to make out details. The problems I've run into with the project is just the camera I'm using. If I'm able to get my hands on a new camera I'll sacrifice my GL-1 to the IR gods, or I may pick up a cheap 3ccd'r to mutilate.

The autofocus is having a lot of issues now. In order to maintain focus I have to disconnect the ribbon on the circuit board ~8 times before it will focus on infinity. So I have to leave the housing off of the camera in order to use it, so it looks as though this will retire to my desktop as a webcam and dv deck only.... I wish it was a p.o.s.

Cheers

November 25th, 2005, 03:29 PM	#1
Fred Finn Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jackson, WY Posts: 178	Infra red conversion So I've taken my first camera a JVC DVL-510 I've removed the IR filter that sits between the ccd and the lens and in place I've put two small pieces of developed unexposed negatives (the black stuff) from a 35mm camera in place of it. As seen in many webcam hacks. The trouble I've run into is that my focal length has now changed. I came across something somewhere talking about the difference in frequency of the light waves between visible and IR. I need help with figuring out which direction i need to move the ccd in order to restore focus. Currently i need to zoom all the (10x) in order to obtain focus of anything. Do I then need to move the ccd away from the lens in order to be able to focus when zoomed out? And to avoid the constant, "Why would you want to do this?" from the imaginationless just think about the cool effects you can get. My brown hair looks white, my blue eyes look black. My black shirt looks white. And the use of Infrared light as a light source vs. visible light, for night shooting. __________________ i am the muffin man.

November 25th, 2005, 06:32 PM	#2
Fred Finn Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jackson, WY Posts: 178	ok nm apparently the auto focus mechanism is failing... Good thing i only use at as a deck, although the IR camera does now work it will never leave the desk again as it will now be web cam/ dv deck. __________________ i am the muffin man.

November 26th, 2005, 10:05 AM	#4
Fred Finn Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jackson, WY Posts: 178	Ok here's some footy. Unfortunately I only had a crummy camera to do this with, as the camera is now totally hacked. This is a short clip of me, I have a red shirt on. The shirt I'm holding up is all black including the stiching. The cd that you see through the shirt cannot normally be seen through the shirt. The shirt is an atheltic shirt those 100% polyester sweat wicking jobs. http://3ffilms.com/images/IR_shirt.jpg Here's the footage http://3ffilms.com/video/IR.mov You can slightly see the DVD with a normal viewing camera, but not enough to make out details. The problems I've run into with the project is just the camera I'm using. If I'm able to get my hands on a new camera I'll sacrifice my GL-1 to the IR gods, or I may pick up a cheap 3ccd'r to mutilate. The autofocus is having a lot of issues now. In order to maintain focus I have to disconnect the ribbon on the circuit board ~8 times before it will focus on infinity. So I have to leave the housing off of the camera in order to use it, so it looks as though this will retire to my desktop as a webcam and dv deck only.... I wish it was a p.o.s. Cheers __________________ i am the muffin man.

November 25th, 2005, 07:42 PM	#3
Dan Diaconu Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 804	Way to go Fred! To get focus back (all the way) zoom out, open the iris (or use "magic hour"), focus infinity and move the LENS till you get the image sharp. This is another way of adjusting the "focal flange". Since you removed the lens (I would guess) play with the lens ONLY. If you start messing with both (lens and CCD), well... you'll be busy for a while.... Post some footage, I'm sure is fun.