Categories
DIY Guides

How To Convert Canon 1200D To Infrared Or a Full Spectrum

Here is another infrared camera conversion. This time we have the Canon 1200D.

Before starting, I recommend using a hair net, nitrile gloves, and ESD bracelet.

An at home bathroom is the best place to do conversions. It is probably dust free just make sure it is not damp.

Some dust will not be visible even if it gets on the sensor or filter, but human hair will always be visible. We also will need a micro fibre cleaning cloth, some lens cleaning liquid, an LED light 250lm strong. I use Zeiss lens cleaner; it’s expensive but probably the best stuff we can get.

Please do not spray directly on filters as this can damage the surface.

We can use the camera sensor cleaning pads. Please do not use the liquid that comes with it as it also can damage infrared filters.

Those filters we use are not coated, and if the spray gets on them, then marks can be seen if checked during daylight and while taking a picture. There are also coated filters, but we rarely use them. As one source says, the coating will reduce infrared light.

This camera has the sensor fixed on springs. We will use a gauge to make the sensor level as it came from the factory.

All external screws on this camera are the same length so we need not remember which goes where.

Download Our Infrared Photography Guide

Infrared photography guide

One hidden screw will be located on the front. It is located underneath the rubber material of a grip.

Disconnect all the ribbon cables and unscrew the screws holding the logic board.

Remove the front plastic, disconnect the two cables and remove the top plastic. If you do not wear gloves be extra careful because the flash capacitor can zap you.

Now it is time for measurements with the gauge.

There are three points we would like to know the distance from the base. I usually have almost similar readings like 4.34; 4.33 and 4,35 millimeters. If we convert the camera to full spectrum, we will keep these the same. If I switch to infrared I add to them 0.5, i.e. then it will be 4.84; 4.83 and 4.85 millimeters.

Preheat the sensor and separate the plastic part. Place the sensor back into the camera.

Now if you using Hoya filter, you can stick it directly to the sensor using s black double-sided tape. Just cut out a rectangle that suits your infrared filter.

I will show here how to do it using sensor plastic bracket. Basically, you must cut a 3M double sided tape and stick to the corners where the black tape was originally and stick the filter to it. Use LED light and make sure the filter is clean. For this procedure, you will need a dark room.

Makes sure also that the sensor is clean. Stick the plastic bracket to it.

Make sure the sensor is clean, and the inside infrared filter is clean. To do this work in a clean room and use at least 250lm light. Put on a small Philips screwdriver micro fiber cloth and swipe each infrared sensor side.

Now assemble the camera. Fit the sensor using the gauge and with added 0.5mm for infrared sensor and the same numbers for full spectrum.

Please visit our shop for more infrared converted cameras.

Check out Mark Hilliard’s blog about infrared image processing.

Leave a Reply