Converting a Compact Digital Camera to Shoot Infrared Only - 1. removing the infrared filter
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- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2024
- In this video I show you how to convert Panasonic Lumix travel zoom camera ( the TZ6 - TZ10 or ZS3 - ZS7 or any camera with at least a 35mm lens flange diameter) to shoot infrared only. By removing the infrared blocking filter from the camera we increase the overall sensitivity of the camera to infrared and then to prevent visible light from affecting the display we install an infrared pass filter that blocks all wavelengths of light below 720nm (all visible light). I show the step by step procedures to do this and show the type of results to be expected after the conversion.
Later cameras require the IR blocking filter to be removed by inserting a sharp craft knife between the IR filter and the sensor to remove it. You may break this filter in the process but if you don't intend going back to full colour then this shouldn't be an issue.
Please don't attempt this if you aren't competent with precision tools and small equipment as it is possible that you may damage your camera and render it useless.
NOTE:
With some filters, you may see slight vignette at 4:3 aspect ratio but if you install the IR filter into the 37mm filter ring that is glued to the lens then this all but removes the vignette/
Part 2 will show fitting the infrared pass filter, picture taking and post-processing
My photoblog site www.grahamhoughton.com/ 
Хобби
Graham I don’t know if you get notified when someone posts a comment on a 10 year old video but I hope so. I almost bought an IR converted camera a couple of years ago but decided that the $300-$400 expense wasn’t worth it because IR photography has a limited audience. I shot both color and B&W IR Kodak film years ago and really liked the results so I was really happy to find this video. I have repaired a few p&s cameras so the conversion didn’t intimidate me. I have a TZ4 that I bought for $10 a few years ago and never use it because I also have a TZ7. It took me all of 20 minutes to complete the disassembly and re-assembly. Have the filter ring glued in place and am anxiously awaiting the IR filter (and spring when the leaves are back). You saved me a lot of money and I can’t wait to shoot some IR photos after all these years.
This is the video that inspired me to convert my old FH-25 Lumix into infrared. I had some corespondents with Mr. Houghton. We discussed the possibility of the sensor requiring periodic cleanings. He explained that the interior parts will get dirty over time because of the suction each time that the lens extends. They are well made but some dust will find its way inside over time.
I was concerned about leaving the pass filter out and exposing the sensor to more dust. As it turned out over the life of the camera that I never needed to clean the sensor again.
I lost my camera due to a clumsy accident when I set it on a kitchen counter and it slid into a sink full of dish water. I was able to buy a Lumix TZ-10 online. It is a better camera than my FH-25 and it is in perfect condition. I am nervous about modifying it because it is so darn pretty.
Thank you Graham.
It's been 9 years but this has been extremely helpful today. I've decided to convert a Panasonic Lumix TZ60 / ZS40 to IR. 18mp sensor with RAW for about $60. Can't wait to try it out in the daylight.
Great video, but I think it needs a disclaimer that says if you're a clumsy chimp and you damage your camera following this guide, don't go crying to Graham. You broke it, you pay to get it sorted out!
People do that?
Worked like a treat on a TZ3. Thanks a lot.
This is a great DIY project since these cameras are found in second hand stores now for under 10USD..
For anyone doing this kind of work, I strongly suggest that you use a second camera to document the position and orientation of components as you remove them. I use a sharpie to mark the top side of ribbon cables before removing them. For those who fear that will damage the ribbon, it won't, but you can clean off the sharpie ink with a swab and alcohol. btw, ribbon cables with attached connectors are keyed, can't be installed backward.
I know this is now an old video, but thanks for this. I've just converted an old TZ4 which I bought on EBay for £7.30. Impressed with the results. Thank you so much.
@@crazycontraptions1249 I'm still using it.
Just dug mine out again. It's still great fun.
HI, This is great! Thank you Graham for this idea. I'm waiting for the second part of video
Thank you!! I've just converted a cheap used fujifilm camera I bought to try this out and I'm delighted :)
How did u position the springs?
You are a Very Kindy and Gentle Men. Is an Pleasure see your Video. Thanks for Take the Time to do This So Well.
Greetings.
Thanks for the great video! I converted my Panasonic TZ10 without any problems. There were some additional clips holding the back in place, apart from that it's exactly the same procedure. Thanks a lot for the instructions!
You mean with the metal sheet?
You sir are a gentleman, Thanks for the vid!
Thanks again Graham! Really excellent DYI video, have done at least 10 panasonic lumix with excellent results! Again thank you!
Another great video Graham, thanks.
I have been wanting an IR cam, thanks for this video Graham.
I am very tempted to do it on my old FX01, just hope it is quite similar inside.
Now is just to wait for your Part2 on the IR pass filter fixation.
The FX01 has a very similar setup with the filter held in the same way. I'm waiting now for the filter as I wanted to choose one which was commercially available rather than my existing IR sets.
Oh mmy God!
I have never saw RUclips videos regarding small cameras and now I realise that my Panasonic tz5 is old. At e-bay they started give them like a gift.
Thanks for this pair of videos - you’ve inspired me to have a go myself, and I have now converted a TZ7 (which I’ve given to a friend) and two TZ20’s, one of which was my ‘testbed’, (it was had a non-functional screen), which gave me the confidence to convert a fully working model (appropriately in Red!)
Just waiting for the lens filter to arrive, then i’ going out to play - and now I know how relatively straightforward it is , I may well move up the product line (if I can find a suitable candidate cheap enough!)
Thank you again!
The second TZ20 has now been fully converted, with a Zomei 850nm filter semi-permanently attached using a very small amount of black Sugru mouldable glue, which works well. I’m having fun experimenting with IR using this camera, so thanks again for the video!
A little tip for anyone considering doing this to one of the double digit TZ/ZS models - the glass you need to remove is attached to the sensor mount, and you need to be careful when removing it - the glass itself will invariably break, rendering this a permanent conversion, but you need to ensure you don’t damage the sensor with either the tool you use to remove the glass, or with the inevitable tiny shards of glass that will result. I’d also recommend wearing eye protection when prising this glass off - those tiny shards fly off in all directions if you’re not careful.
Thanks for the video. I found it interesting, since I have the DMC-ZS8, which appears to be a lot like the camera you removed the IR filter from.
May have to remove my filter someday, and shoot some IR video.. :)
Cheers,
Rich
great vid Graham as always mate. :-)
Great video, extremely helpful. Thanks.
u are the best Graham ... i have missed you ever since i jumped fropm the FZ1000 to the sony rx10m 4 ..i was a true student to your teachings ...fulll circle as i have bneen doing ir work with my sony ..thank you foir you being you
thank you soo much. so easy to do, my 13 year old TZ7 now shoots infrared
Great tutorial! Many thanks for the clear step-by-step directions...this has enabled me to convert an older Panasonic DMC-FS10 with complete success! The normal daylight picture is now 'pink', but no matter, this will purely be used as night-vision from now on! :-) Thanks again!
This is normal for IR conversion, just switch over to Mono to appreciate how the effect will be.
Graham Houghton Yep! Realised the camera is now 'Full Spectrum' which could be useful, and it does look great in monochrome :)
Good job!!
Buen trabajo!
Tengo en un cajón una Lumix xz1, que ya he limpiado el sensor un par de veces por motas de polvo y es realmente sencillo.
Creo que, con el permiso de mi mujer, la cámara se la regalé para llevar en el bolso, le voy a quitar el filtro IR, y además veo que es una operación reversible.
Muchas gracias.
Un saludo.
Great great video Graham!!
Just used this easy to follow guide and did my zs1 which is pretty much the same.
Hope you are getting great images in this new spectrum!
Great video. I'm gong to try it. Thanks so much !
Great video and thanks for sharing!
thank you
Great video!
I just happened to have a very similar Lumix digicam and I removed the IR filter. I also found an old pair of IMAX 3D glasses laying around and I used the polarized sheets stacked perpendicularly so it is completely black.
Very good results, I'll keep on experimenting though.
Thx man my hassleblad takes great ir photos now!
sony HX5V work good! thank you!
The 8 Megapixel Sony Cyber-shot F828 (2003) can be converted to full spectrum IR with a small magnet that will swing the hinged internal IR/UV filter away from the sensor (this also works with the 5 Megapixel Sony F717). There are several RUclips videos explaining how to do it (the sweet spot is on the camera bottom near the tripod mount). Just attach your favourite 58mm IR filter (720nm, 850nm, etc.) onto the 28-200mm F2.0-2.8 Carl Zeiss lens and fill your boots. Turn the camera off to return the internal hot filter back to its normal default position.
wow! great video! thanks!
i'm wondering if i could do the same with my old FZ-200 so i can use it for astro and take advantage of it's great zoom and fast aperture.
Awesome video, thaaanks!
Hi Graham, informative video. It inspired me to take out of retirement two Panasonic Lumix cameras today and remove the IR filter. Once I bought a small enough Phillips head screwdriver it was easy. Now I have a DMC-FS15 and a DMC-TZ4K working as full spectrum cameras. I put an IR band-pass filter in from of the lens and have an IR camera.
I am surprised that both focus easily and well, even at infinity, without the IR internal filter and without replacing it with clear glass, like cut from a microscope slide.
Thank you,
Steve
the replcament filter i am using is the NEEWER MRC UV Protection Filter 30 Layer
Hi,
Excellent video. I recently tried my first IR conversion, on an Olympus C5050Z. The work re. the IR blocking filter went well, but I ruined a ribbon cable (there were 8 of them on the way to the sensor!) and that was the end of it. The Lumix model you converted seems to have a shorter, easier path. My question concerns removing the IR blocker but not replacing it with another piece of glass (same dimensions). I've seen comments in other articles that the auto focus does not work without a replacement (clear glass e.g. cut from a microscope slide). Other comments are that it is tricky to find the exact thickness (the Olympus had a 3mm thick IR blocker), and cutting the glass to the proper dimensions. Any thoughts? BTW, in my ill-fated attempt, I followed an alternative procedure I'd seen, which was to "sand" off the IR blocking filter from the surface of the glass substrate, rubbing the face on a flat sheet of acrylic, using a lightly abrasive cream (auto paint refinisher). Took about 20 minutes.
Cheers,
Great greaaat video
Thanks! In my case the filter of the TZ6 and its rubbercasing I found to be on the sensor and not on the lensopening. I experienced some loss in focussing ability of the camera, causing landscape photo's not be sharp. I fixed this by setting the camera on the Landscape scene mode, which forces focus to 5m. - infinity. You then loose the ability to set custom white balance but this can be fixed in post processing.
My IR 720nm filter has arrived and the problems with focussing have disappeared😀
Old video, but still very helpful. Funnily enough, the camera I chose to modify is that exact camera.
great video. i bought one of these tz10s. i took out the shilding. i did not see it on this one and it has hard to close. i did not disconnect any cables or used a q-tip but it worked great.I am going to try to find a 590mn filter to capture UFOs
I tried this some time ago on a sony nex 3 apsc sensor camera, not easy to get to the sensor as these cameras have a lot of ribbon cables going all across the back.
the plastic connectors holding the ribbons are fragile, break one and you may as well hit your camera with a 10lb sledge hammer.
I was lucky and the results were astounding, this camera already worked well in extremely low light due to the huge sensor.
looked simple enough to do but don't know if I have guts to disassemble an older digital camera I have to try it.
Thanks for your interesting video. What is involved in converting to a thermal immageing camera in the context of being able to detect the radiation of heat from objects?
Thank you Graham for this video. Does this method affects also, the video mode of the camera? That would be interesting.
Yes you can record video and I will show that as soon as my IR filter that I want to be able to recommend arrives
This might be a silly question, but will this in effect give you a thermal imaging camera?
Great video, the only thing I'd say and it's a minor point.
Is not to use fingers directly on components as your fingers have oils which can mar or leave fingerprints on these components.
Use lint free cotton gloves or finger stools for handling components.
Wonderful video Graham. Just wondering, does this conversion actually result in a full spectrum conversion? Are you able to use
Different Infrared filters to get
Different results?
Thanks for video.
I would have thought skipping the blower and sensor cleaning (if the camera was perfectly free of dust - ie no dust spots on photos) would be prudent, as you are more likely to introduce something where there was none before.
Using a film in place of sensor would again risk introducing dust etc.
Quote : "Using a film in place of sensor would again risk introducing dust etc." It wouldn't matter if you emptied your vacuum cleaner bag in the camera once the sensor has been removed, you'd have just as much chance of getting a photo either way. Forgetting that little gem, why would a piece of film increase the likelihood of ingesting dust? Every time the lens extends it sucks in any available dust in the vicinity of the lens. This is the reason the small point and shoot cameras fail, all that dust and small pieces of grit builds up over time until the tiny gearing moving the lens get clogged up and the lens is left either extended or retracted and it stays that way.
I've purchased a few cameras where the surface of the cheap Chinese camera bags gets rubbed off every time the camera is removed or replaced in the bag. It tends to sit on the camera and when the lens is extended the "fur" is sucked straight into the camera. It quickly finds it's way straight to that IR blocker and requires the camera be pulled apart for a cleaning, just a few puffs from a good bulb is all it needs to get rid of it, BUT before long it's back again. Luckily, when I pulled the entire lens assembly apart I could see the ingested rubbish was a bright red, this led me straight to that cheap Chinese camera bag. So remember, if the bag is made from a cheap fur, it will eventually end up in your point and shoot lens assembly.
Hi Graham, thank you for your videos! I've successfully converted a lumix fs10 to full spectrum. I've recently replaced my fz330. - do you know if that is straightforward to convert? Many thanks. David
Thanks Graham!
You didn't mention but it is very important to remove the battery I think!
I did mention at 02:25 to remove both the battery and memory card before you begin
I'm sorry, you are right.
hi are all the panasonic cameras easy to do. or it just the 4 you have listed
Graham, how did you know that my ZS20 (TZ30) has been replaced by a Sony HX50 and quandary what to do with the ZS20? Yep it will be converted to IR only. It already does IR quite well with filter in place, but will be better with Hotfilter removed. I use magnetic card stock to attached outside filters. One comment, I would use vinyl tape on the tweezers also cable removal in another video was done with a toothpick, perhaps less chance of damage. Thank you for you many sharing of knowledge.
how very clever .... it gives me asthma though to watch as I would never dare do such ... Tell me though what would it give me for my kind of photography ... if I had nerve to try ( I do have my old Lumix ) and is the process reversable
Infrared shooting gives some beautiful surreal landscape pictures and it is often used by astronomers as it increases the sensitivity of the camera for starlight pictures. It is reversible providing the ir blocking filter is retained should you want to convert it back again. Depends how you fit the final filter in part 2 as to whether you can remove it or not.
Graham Houghton then it could be fun to have my other lumix so and the TZ30 as it is .Prob is I know me ...Will see if can get done here and would love to see some more examples if possible .Reading the comments others are tempted but nervous as I am :-) That said It's great seing just what makes the camera work .... so clever , very clever
HelenaMikas Waiting for the new filter to arrive so I can recommend one to purchase if people want to try this. Then I'll post up the results.
looking forward as the more I think the more fun it would be to convert my Lumix TZ10
My Panasonic TZ-20 has ti glueed over the chip, had to use scalpel to remove the glass.
I had a question about focus. I have heard that autofocus systems will be off when photographing in infrared. Can you manually focus this camera or is that a problem or not. Thanks for info, great video.
dvrapant i think it's only for those cameras which don't use laser autofocus system
Question. Can this technique be used on most digital cameras? Sony Coolpix, Nikon etc. Also, can a camera shop do this?? Is that something that's rarely easy for them to do?
Interesting idea for night photography.
tks. for you video. asking i bought one camara the same, but i tried to take photos for one painting looking, the sketches or drawing, dont obtain nothing, quest, how i have to made?
Hi Graham, recently found your channel by looking for Infra Red photography and your videos are great. Now I'm 100% convinced I'd like to give it a go. Would you know if it's possible to convert a Canon Powershot G9x MKii. Many thanks
Unless the screwdriver you're using is non-ferrous, you can magnetise any tip by simply letting a small neodymium magnet adhere to the tip's shaft.
Hi Graham, just saw your video. Fantastic work & (probably) problem solving for me!!
I want to attach an NIR camera to my small RC plane and use it to make surveys of the health of my vineyard. I've read that it can deliver very useful data.
I've got a few digital cameras, (although I know very little about them) mostly Canon S110, A550 & a SX170 (which I think is to heavy for my plane).
Do you think any, or all, of the mentioned cameras would serve my purpose.
I'll appreciate your input.
Many thanks.
Ricardo.
hi Ricardo I'm not familiar with the canon cameras so i am not sure how the IR filter is attached to the sensor in these cameras. Certainly the earlier Panasonic TZ6 and TZ7 or other Panasonic compacts were ideal cameras to use for these conversions. Auction sites are the best source for them
Graham,
What is the secret to eliminating vignetting and getting the filter centered. I have tried three times and still have vignetting. I found a 'New" ZS7 on Ebay for $150 and is arriving today. I will remove the IR filter, but I am hoping for some direction on centering the filter to avoid the vignetting.
I have a Sony Powershot camera and curious to know if it can also records Infrared videos other than just taking pictures, thanks.
I wonder if that would work on my fuji xt10.
Hi, can you tell me WHERE I can obtain a filter to convert my Lumix TZ40 to infrared??
So if you don’t put a filter on the sensor itself would that just be a full spectrum?
hi, can a modern camera like the Nikon P900 or similar be converted to shoot IR
Hi Graham
Do you know if this IR 'fix' will work the same on a FUJI , I have an F70 EXR ?
David
Hi, David the camera looks to have the same construction as most compacts so entry to the ccd sensor will probably be the same. i'm not sure how the IR filter will be positioned in front of the ccd - loosely or attached. Boldly go!
Is it normal for it to overheat after I have modified the camera? Maybe it was already warming up before, I don't remember. I hadn't used it for a long time.
I have a Lumix DMC-ZS6 that looks mostly like the same camera. I like how Panasonic didn't go crazy with the design of each model and end up with some ugly cameras.
what is a lens flange diameter??
i tried to do this on a lumix s1 but did not find the IR blocking filter : /
Hi Graham
You did not replace the infrared cut-off filter with a plain glass filter of equal refractive index. Are you not concerned about inaccurate auto focus?
L. Reid
The Depth of field of the lens is sufficient to still allow infinity focus. I've converted three cameras and all have had no AF issues.
@@GrahamHoughton12 Three questions. First, If I send you a camera I plan on getting will you convert it for me. Second, do you have any of that film you were talking about so I can use it? The camera I would send you would be a Lumix Tz10. And third, what IR Pass filter would work the best for a Lumix Tz10.
@Martin Hodge I got the Lumix TZ10 and sucessfully performed the modification myself. It was sucessfully modified on June 6th at around 5:45 pm.
Could of linked the part 2 tho?
You clean the sensor like this !!
Hi Graham!! Nice video, congratulations. I removed the IR filter from my Panasonic Lumix Fx-10 but now the autofocus doesn' t work. Do yoy know what is the problem? Thank you. Sorry for my english.
You will find that probably the AF will not focus at infinity but probably on closer objects. The focus point to infra red is slightly shorter than visible light. Some cameras have more depth of field and are able to focus - especially in sunlight when the camera will select a smaller aperture. In dull light the camera may not focus. Try the P mode and select a small aperture, if the camera still does not focus it is probably not a good camera to convert in this case
@@GrahamHoughton12 that's why my fuji j10 wont focus. I tried again with j200 and at last it works. Too disappointed what went wrong and after i read your comment i found the answer. Thanks!
@11:34 viewing the original camera image, why is there a bluish haze around the image? It appears the image of the dolls is made of a spectrum of blue and purple colours
i have a fujifilm 16 mpfinepix jx, have you some guide fro turne it in a ir photocamera?.
Could one get external filters the same as the original? It would be nice to have a double duty camera where you just swap a cover.
This i really hard to do without a proper screwdriver set.
Would a Canon TG 5 be a good candidate?
Good
I converted two Panasonic cameras, a ZS7 and a ZS1. I am having troube with vignetting on the corners at the wide angle on ZS7 but it not on the ZS1.
I cut down the rings that I epoxied to the lens barrels on both, it is nice and low profile.
The IR 720 filter is a 'Green.L' .
My thought is the vignetting must be coming from the metal filter ring. I am thinking that I may have to remove a couple of millimeters from it to solve the problem.
Any thoughts?
Not able to answer your question, but I have a DMC-ZS1 as well. How did it turn out? Anything I should look out for? Thanks!
@@PenisGabber It turned out fine, but I continue to have vignetting in the corners with both the ZS1 and the ZS7. I am not quite sure how to solve this. I have removed the threaded ring, and did my best to get it exactly centered, but the vignetting is still there. The removal ov any excessmatal did not solve the problem. For now, I am zooming in until it goes away and shooting that way. The other option is cropping in Photoshop.
Does autofocus function work properly?
I have taken apart and removed the blocking filter on three different cameras. The same result... the images are now fuzzy and not focused well.
Must be something to do with the lens.. I’ve done this to loads of cameras. I’m into AP and never been fuzzy/out of focus. You took out the IR filter only ???
So what about the color filters on the sensor?
Really wish i could do this, but I can't even replace the batteries in a tv remote without screwing it up!
I have a canon g16 which I want to convert myself. It has the ability to manual focus so eve if I lose the autofocus it should be ok. Any thoughts on this?
Even with manual focus if the lens cannot move close enough to form an image at infinity then you may run into focus issues, It will be a case of carefully removing the IR filter, if it doesn't work you can refit it.
Thanks I will 'boldly go' then
just ensure the front of the lens will accept the 37mm filter diameter needed to fix it.
Hi everyone, I hope some body can help me because I got a new digital small camera, and I opened to take out the IR filter but it doesn´t have one, is this possible? Because my image is good, I mean no weird colors or anything. Is is possible that the IR filter it is not longer neccesary ????
What if the filter is built into the sensor? Any way to safely remove it?
Does the focus need to be adjusted after doing these conversion?
Usually there is enough DOF in these lenses to allow the camera to still focus. Some of the wider aperture cameras may not focus at infinity- it will depend how the initial lens focus was set.
Oh, this model looks easy
I have a Nikon Coolpix 230 ,and a Kodak easy share z630 are they convertible?
Hi Richard, I've never worked on either of these cameras. Some follow a very similar layout the Panasonic in the way the IF filter sits over the lens however some glue the filter over the sensor which makes it more difficult. Sorry i can't give you a definite answer.
I've always heard that removing the ir filter was a permanent process but I don't see how it couldn't be placed back again. Anyone tried going back to normal after this?
Yea that's what I was thinking.
What happened to part 2😟?
HI
I HAVE sony cyber shot dsc t30
is it contain ir filter ??
I have a ir reflective beam which i cantvalign with the reflector as it invisiblevwill the camera mod seevthe beam or will it see the surface wherevit hits please
Which camera model was this ?
Taking photos on a phone as you dismantle might help for reference purposes.