Night vision device from an old camera

Human vision is an amazing thing. The eyes are called the mirror of the soul and a powerful weapon that nature has endowed us with. What we really are not given is to see in the dark, unlike technical devices called NVGs or night vision devices.
Until recently, we heard about them as special equipment for the military, who use them for covert surveillance and combat operations in the dark. The capabilities of such devices are also used in modern conventional cameras. Moreover, some of them are able to distinguish objects in the infrared spectrum, while others are not. Today we will show you how to make a night vision device from a regular digital camera. So let's get started!
Night vision device from an old camera

How it works and resources for homemade NVGs


Our NVD is based on a digital camera, popularly nicknamed a “point-and-shoot.” The electronic content is preserved, since it is capable of transmitting images in real time through the LCD screen.By changing the lens filtration and increasing the camera's sensitivity to the infrared range, as well as equipping the camera body with infrared illumination, we open up new possibilities for a digital camera capable of capturing objects in the near-infrared range. Also, such a device can be used as a thermal imager, distinguishing heated objects, for example, an unattended iron, electric stove or kettle.
Materials:

Tools:
  • Soldering iron;
  • Screwdriver with replaceable bits;
  • Painting knife;
  • Hot glue gun;
  • Tweezers.

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We manufacture a night vision device (NVD)


For this experiment, the author purchased a working digital camera Samsung S1030. This is a regular point-and-shoot camera with a sensitivity of 50 - 1600 ISO, a maximum resolution of 3648 x 2736, equipped with a 2.70-inch LCD screen on the rear panel.

Removing the infrared filter


Unscrew all visible screws from the back cover of the camera. This is easy to do with a screwdriver, making sure that nothing interferes with its dismantling. This must be done as carefully as possible, without damaging the plastic closures and clips, and without pulling out the cables of the electronic filling.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We unlock the LCD screen by carefully removing it from the holder frame, which we then also dismantle. We release the cables from the LCD screen and camera control from the connectors. The output control board should release the front cover, which can now be unfastened from the device.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

The wiring leading to the microphone must be removed, or this element must be disconnected completely.Having gained access to the high-voltage capacitor for the flash, it must be de-energized with a resistor, voltmeter, tester or light bulb by short-circuiting its contacts.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Having unsoldered the power contacts, remove the camera control board, leaving only the lens and matrix. It is to her that we need to get close.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We unscrew the matrix board with the light-sensitive sensor that captures the image. In this model, the infrared filter is a small removable glass covered with a polymer frame. Remove it carefully with tweezers, without damaging the surface of the sensor.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

To maintain the camera's ability to autofocus, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of a filter with a transparent material of similar size. The author adapted it from a protective film for his smartphone.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We mount the control board, front cover and LCD screen with a frame for it in the reverse order. Don't forget to connect the disconnected cables to the connectors. By connecting the control panel on the back cover, we check the functionality of the camera.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Installing LED lighting


On the cooling radiator boards we place LEDs and outlet contacts. We connect the voltage reduction module to the batteries and configure it to the required parameters.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

LEDs coat it with thermal conductive paste to transfer heat to the radiator panel, and then solder it to the contacts.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We bring the microbutton to the upper part of the body, making a hole under it with a knife. It can be secured with hot glue. LEDs We place it on the front panel of the camera to illuminate the lens. We connect them in series, connecting the contacts to the step-down module.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

We find the power contacts on the control board, and from them we bring out the wiring through the button to the step-down module. The electrical circuit of the device is ready.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Assembling the device


All components must be assembled so that the wires do not protrude outside the housing. LEDs The author closed it with a plastic panel using small screws. We hide the wiring in free niches in the housing, and insulate the contact groups with hot glue. The external step-down module can be attached to the case using hot glue or a couple of small screws.
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Our homemade NVD can be considered ready. The range of such a device will directly depend on the photosensitivity of the camera sensor, as well as the power of the IRLEDs. Of course, it will be far from what real night vision devices offer, but for short distances it is what you need.
The quality of ordinary photographs after removing the IR filter will not be correct, and the colors in the photo will be mixed and do not correspond to the actual ones. However, for true IR photography this option is the most suitable!
Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Night vision device from an old camera

Watch a video on making a night vision device


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Comments (16)
  1. A.Volk
    #1 A.Volk Guests March 16, 2018 02:53
    24
    Amazing! There's just one "but". Not everyone can do this type of work efficiently the first time. I don’t consider myself handy (others don’t either); I often repair various electronics, although I’m not a pro in this matter. But I am sure that such a modification of the camera will not work for me. At least the first time. It’s easier for me to go and buy this damn night light and not worry in vain.
    1. Guest Igor
      #2 Guest Igor Guests 7 October 2018 09:58
      7
      I completely agree. I also try to repair everything myself, but after disassembling the camera like this, I’ll have to throw it in the trash.
  2. Victor.
    #3 Victor. Guests 20 March 2018 14:10
    7
    I agree it's a waste of time
  3. Alexander
    #4 Alexander Guests March 22, 2018 12:23
    4
    Cool. Need to try. And in the door, instead of a peephole.
  4. Guest Peter
    #5 Guest Peter Guests 22 March 2018 14:10
    6
    Well done author! Yes, not everyone can do it or need it, but there will be a craftsman who will find it useful. Maybe I can do it too. Thank you!
    1. Guest Vladimir
      #6 Guest Vladimir Guests 27 March 2018 22:20
      1
      Interesting
  5. Guest Sergey
    #7 Guest Sergey Guests 5 April 2018 21:39
    2
    Cool, I'll have to try it. Where is the camera lying around?
  6. Dmitriy
    #8 Dmitriy Guests 10 April 2018 22:17
    6
    The idea is well known. But the glow LEDs visible even to the naked eye (the observer’s disguise is lost). And if camouflage is not needed, then it’s easier to put LEDs visible light (flashlight), and you don’t need a camera, and you can watch everything not in black and white quality, but in color.
  7. Dmitriy
    #9 Dmitriy Guests 10 April 2018 22:24
    3
    Yes, I understand what's in the video LEDs They glow only because they are filmed by another camera, but they are probably not visible to the eye.
    1. Barseg
      #10 Barseg Guests 29 August 2018 10:05
      4
      Very clearly visible)
  8. Yas
    #11 Yas Guests April 11, 2018 00:58
    8
    1.This is not a night vision device. Night vision devices do not “see in the dark” because they see in the infrared spectrum. They are simply very sensitive - even the light emanating from the starry sky is enough for them to obtain a clear image. A camera without an IR filter does not have such sensitivity even close, so it does not work without a powerful backlight. And then, this backlight only works up close.
    2. Such a connection scheme LEDs will only lead to the fact that in a few minutes they will either burn out themselves or burn out the converter used to power them. Because the current that flows through them is limited only by the resistance of the wires and the capacity of the battery. In fact, this is a short circuit - LED when open, the resistance is close to zero.
    3. Even if the current is through Light-emitting diode will not exceed the standard 350 mA; for normal operation it must be installed on a radiator with an area of ​​80-100 cm 62. Without this, it will burn out after a short time.
    1. 2PR
      #12 2PR Guests December 19, 2018 12:21
      4
      Judging by the fact that the tester's probes are not wrapped in blue electrical tape, you are absolutely right!
    2. Svetoslav Gost
      #13 Svetoslav Gost Guests 21 February 2020 16:42
      3
      Regarding point N2 - This power board regulates the current and voltage. (Almost a laboratory device).
  9. Dmitry Kolomiets
    #14 Dmitry Kolomiets Guests 13 January 2019 23:56
    2
    I agree, but each family usually already has several of these cameras, all of them are already filmed on TLF and with better quality. So: one - for testing, the second - for use. And then - to friends.
  10. Slavik D
    #15 Slavik D Guests 15 April 2020 09:23
    3
    It’s easier to illuminate such nonsense with an infrared LED