28 April, 2010

Infrared webcam

I bought an infrared webcam from eBay to try and take IR photos.
Approx AUD$7 (including delivery) from here. Or just search for "infrared webcam" on eBay. Make sure the LEDs are IR, not visible light! All the cheaper ones I found (including the one I bought) control the LEDs automatically, you can't force them to turn on. Those that let you control them are visible light LEDs.

Trying to do things from here http://www.hoagieshouse.com/IR/ and some interesting things with plastics.

Notes on the camera:
  1. 8M pixel is interpolated, of course. I don't think there's any difference between 6, 8 and 10M pixels (if it's the same hardware).
  2. The lens screws right out. You can see the CMOS. Will upload pictures next time. The back of the lens has a filter with a red tint just like in the website. I hope it's not an IR filter.
  3. Software is basic. Some image effects and frames. I would like time lapse and security camera functions.
  4. Camera doesn't work in OS X Photo Booth when I just plug it in (it appears in the camera list though). Might need drivers.
  5. IR has different focus from visible light!

2 pictures taken of a remote control (handy source of IR light): left, with Apple's iSight. Right, with this webcam. Background shows exposure was roughly equal in both pictures. The IR light is brighter in the right image, so hopefully the camera doesn't have an IR filter.

Here are 2 pictures I took of a Chinese banknote with the webcam. Left, IR. Right, visible. Pictures are of the same region. They seem to use a special ink that doesn't reflect IR light. The camera's instructions look the same under IR light. Australian money also looks the same.

 
More pictures of the Chinese banknote. This time, half the image is visible under IR light.

Looking for a filter that blocks visible light and allows IR light!

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