Homemade Thermal Cameras
- 1). Get an inexpensive camera. This will only work for digital and not analog cameras. However, you can also use an inexpensive webcam as well. You will be removing the CCD (charged couple device, this is the light sensitive part of the camera that takes pictures), so the camera will not be able to take regular pictures after this is done.
- 2). Open up the camera casing using a screw driver. If you are using a webcam you may have to just pry it apart rather than unscrewing it. You will then need to glue it back together.
- 3). Go through your manual and find out where the CCD sensor is located. It generally sits just behind the lense of the camera. Attached to this is the infrared filter, which is what you will need to remove in order to turn your camera into a thermal sensor.
- 4). Take out the infrared filter. This will be a simple, red-colored piece of glass or sometimes it is high-grade plastic. Be gentle when removing it from the CCD and go slowly. It is usually glued on so you may have to use a flat edge like a screw driver or X-ACTO knife in order to get it off.
- 5). Replace the filter with two pieces of black photographic negatives the same size as the filter that you removed. You can just wedge them in on top of the CCD. Make sure they cover it completely.
- 6). Reassemble the camera and put the screws back into place. If you are doing this with a webcam then you can use duct tape to put it back together or some inexpensive crazy glue should do the trick. Just make sure to do it in a well-ventilated area.
- 7). Use the camera to take photos as you normally would. You can use this in complete darkness. and the camera will pick up objects that your naked eye cannot.
