How To Mod A Cheap Action Camera To Use C-Mount Lenses For Infrared Videography & Time Lapse

In this video I convert a $35 action camera to use inexpensive (and awesome) c-mount lenses. Thanks to LastPass for sponsoring this video! Click here to try LastPass for FREE: bit.ly/2huNj2L
The specific action camera used in this video is HEIHEI brand, but the exact same style of camera can be found under dozens of brand names. Chances are if you purchase a camera that claims 16mp photos and 4k video resolution (at 15fps) it will be the same or adequately similar in design that this modification will go smoothly. You can find these cameras even cheaper than the $35 I paid for mine. Here is an ebay search results link that should turn up a lot of options (This is an affiliate link. Results are filtered for cameras under $40): ebay.to/2h8dd8A
Here is another affiliate link where you can find c-mount extension tubes: ebay.to/2wituCk
And another one for a few c mount lenses. I particularly like the Computar 8.5mm f/1.3 lens on this camera (I also like the Computar 6mm f/1.2, and the Fujian 25mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Tons of great inexpensive c mount lenses out there!): ebay.to/2vZd79m
A big thank you to my Patreon supporters for having just pushed past my $300 support goal! And a special thanks to my top Patrons: Syniurge, Matthew Leitzke, TheBackyardScientist, & Enzo Breda Lee!
If you would like to become one of my Patreon supporters yourself you can check out my page here: / nighthawkprojects
A lot of you will probably notice a number of black spots on my action camera footage. That is dust on the sensor. It seems my tape didn't do an adequate job of protecting it but I was able to clean the dust off with a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. I think it could have used a cleaning anyway even before I opened it up as I noticed a smudge probably left by someones finger during assembly. Certainly there's not a lot of quality control on a $35 off brand camera.
If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below! Thanks for being one of the rare viewers to read the video description!
-Ben

[@Not_Whelan]

In my digital photo class I got to play around with a camera that had the IR filter removed, it definitely creates some bizarre looking images. Also, a few years back when Venus made a transit across the sun, I used a few ND filters and an 850um IR pass filter to make the sun dark enough, it came out really cool! I love seeing your bird in the outro of all your videos.

[@Papperlapappmaul]

850nm *

[@Not_Whelan]

swiss Thanks. I knew it was somewhere between kilometers and picometers

[@srabik007]

Any link to the Venus photo?

[@scoopscience]

That camera looked cool as! One thing that I saw with IR cameras is when someone hides in a huge garbage bag, you can still see them through the bag because of the IR light. I would be interested to see another video about that camera and different experiments you could do with the IR lens.

[@daninjapan3092]

There is actually M12 (the camera thread size) to C mount adapters, though it depends how much recessing you need, but usually none I think.

[@vidm96]

There are also m12 to c mount adapter rings available that make this mod a lot easier to do. It's basically an adapter from the internal lens mount to c mount.

[@stemtuber]

Alternatively, just buy a replacement M12 mount lens with a longer focal length instead of the much larger c-mount. Simply swap it with the stock lens. It'll just screw in and you won't have issues with alignment.

[@tHaH4x0r]

Now add an IR spotlight and you have a night imaging devices (i.e. cheap night vision goggles).

[@MrChanw11]

Have it feed to FPV goggles through an HDMI would be even better

[@xivisaac]

Im actually gonna do this

[@schelsullivan]

it's good to see you out in front of the camera more often in your later videos

[@shrikantpatil3924]

schel sullivan hey there nitrocellulose man!

[@MadScienceHacksTV]

Love your videos! You could have just used an M12 to C mount adapter. I'm actually going to attempt this!

[@StephenKoplin]

Did you end up trying this? I'm thinking about doing this, but don't want to completely destroy my camera

[@jamesquartararojr1298]

Nice mod, easy to follow tutorial. What I found most interesting is adding the ND to infrared to get the "infrared look". I had no idea that's how it would be done!

[@stamasd8500]

I've been into IR photography for a while. In fact I've modified my old Canon 300D by removing the "hot mirror" IR filter and installing in place a piece of wideband glass of equivalent optical path. Makes for some cool pictures - and you can do pseudocolor if you use different band pass filters. Composing an image is pretty difficult though because this old camera doesn't have live view, and the image that you get in the viewfinder is what passes through the front filter i.e. very little visible light with most filters. I've thought of modifying a more modern camera (one with liveview, that would cost quite a bit), but now I think I'll do this mod and have something that can record IR movies instead.

[@alexanderthomas2660]

02:04: “Must jump on head, must jump on head, must jump on head…” 02:13: “Yes!”

[@vandoren156]

One of the reason your image is so soft is because you set the lens mount rather randomly. A not centered sensor or not in plane would show aberrations but the soft focus is mainly due to a wrong flange focal distance. Each kind of lens has its own distance from the focal plane (your film or sensor are that focal plane) and if that is set properly than the lens is able to achieve focus through all it sees from its minimum focusing distance to infinity, if set randomly you might be able to achieve focus just at certain distance ranges but lose the ability to focus outside of that or in some cases lose the ability to focus at all (extension rings works on that principle). For C-mount lenses the distance between the lens flange and the focal plane is 17.53mm (and with a simple wooden jig and checking the image focus at infinity you can get to that precise distance without much difficulty, a jig will also help you to mount the ring centered and in plane). The image comparison should have been made between the same camera with original lens and the modded one to give it a fighting chance. PS: some people mentions m12 to c-mount adapters, the problem there is that it will all rests on the original lens mount attached to the circuit board and thats too weak for the heavier c-mount lenses.

[@InterfaceDeath]

Cool project. Might want to add a step to clean the sensor after you cut out the housing for the new lens. There are very visible amounts of debris that can be seen. Also, You may want to manually step down exposure compensation for full spectrum and visible light. IR looked fine.

[@edgeeffect]

Always glad to your feathery friend in a video. :)

[@GiacoWhatever]

This was absolutely great! Thanks

[@electronicsNmore]

I've done infrared photography in the past, very cool.

[@GrowingAnswers]

I just got the tlc 200 pro and was messing around with this type of infrared photography using cs-mount lenses. Interesting that you put this video out at the same time I started exploring cctv lenses. Thanks!

[@johnburr9463]

Theoretically, you could carve away a section of the extension to accommodate the battery. If you are careful to cut through the threads cleanly, it would still work.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I hadn't considered that. You might be right.

[@Accrecon]

I found that video to be very informative, I do aerial mapping and crash investigation, love that IR hack

[@runzhou8751]

may be you can made a 3d print part to replace the lens holder.

[@digitalghosts4599]

Nice mod! One thing I think you didn't take into consideration is the flange focal distance for C-Mount lens - it's 17.526 mm. If they are farther or closer to the image sensor, the image will never focus as the labels on the lens would imply.

[@reedtan]

Hmm.. does it mean it will not focus if we add extension tubes to it for macro videography?

[@digitalghosts4599]

@@reedtan it means that if you use extension tubes, the focal range is locked at very close distance and you can't focus at infinity. That holds true for all cameras with extension tubes.

[@WillN2Go1]

I don't know if anyone has pointed this out yet, but if you're using the screw mount to focus the lens it appears that it's difficult to get a good focus looking at the small screen at the back. For my Nikon DSLR live view, increase the magnification on the back screen: easy, but apparently not for the inexpensive camera. It would be very easy to set up a testing set up, even just a tape measure, then establish a starting point: lens screwed down (soft) finger tight and then backed out. The threads of the C-Mount are I think 32/inch, so it would be very easy to divide one turn into 8 parts, or 1/256". Once you find a close point and a distant point, every step in between would be equidistant. Depth of field formulas are easy, but subjective. The general DOF indicators on SLR lenses are good enough... not for the focus but for the range of subject depth that would be acceptable. Good project, thanks. The infrared is a real bonus, but it's not to be mistaken for a temperature gradient camera. Infrared as a selfie option will always be more interesting than any of the canned filters in your phone. I would suggest that a gel filter close to the sensor is generally more practical than front filters and adapter rings. No fingerprints, probably fewer internal reflections, and less expensive. (I did photography professionally for 40 years and one adapter ring for one filter was about all you could ever count on. I ended up using tape far more often than the rings. It's as bad as USB plug nonsense. But when gels and small sections of gels can be placed behind a lens generally everything is better.

[@Bruce.B]

Good video :) I was planning make a mod like this for my M42 lenses. It is kind of a shame that you used a really cheap camera but I can blame you, you already risked it by melting the chassis. It is good to see that you can use IR filter in front of the lenses. Thank you for that hint.

[@YuranRichards]

Very good results! I was wondering if the camera allowed you to lock the automatic exposure adjustment? Most of cheap camera's won't allow this by default unless you hack it's firmware. All footage looks absolutely great, especially the fact you invested more time than actual money for a very cool and custom camera. Gladly these cheap Chinese 4K/15fps camera's don't have built in zoom mechanisms, which brings you directly to the image sensor. Nice idea for the next project: Find a comparable cheap cam with auto exposure lock options and maybe a little bigger image sensor than this model, I'm sure everybody will get exited to build one themself! And If not... Well... People will be bagging to sell the little monsters to them! Great project!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

No lock for the exposure, but you can adjust the exposure baseline

[@fullfunk]

Thanks man think this is one of the best ideas in photography and video of the past year, can buy a nice action camera a nice fast 1.4 lens and get a pretty decent infrared camera, just for the conversion of a dslr shops are asking 300$

[@scotthaddad563]

I checked out your link and boy have prices changed since you made this video. There is a wide selection available for as little as $9.99. There are some better quality cameras too at decent prices. Who knew that deals like this would happen as the tech became more available and Cheaper sources appeared?

[@pirobot668beta]

In general, metallic coatings on glasses are not going to be transparent to IR. The metal coating is far more reflective in IR than it is transparent. Tinted plastic lenses are going to be similar to the example you showed. I am not sure if the IR wavelength is right for this, but one fascinating experiment is to watch gasoline or other hydrocarbons evaporate. Some of the vapors are quite opaque, and so you will see black clouds arising from the evaporation. This technique can be used to find gas leaks...

[@sirdrakey]

Making it into an ir camera is a cool idea. That trail by fire way of cutting it was scary!

[@luisencarnacioncisnerosara854]

Hi Hawk, some video security cameras have a mechanism that flips the infra red filter on and off depending on the light level. That may be useful.

[@dieterlundrich5332]

For none of the content shown in this video I am the target audience. Why did I watch? Parrot nice doe!

[@Forseenlife]

Been looking for a cheap way to set up a camera to record in ir for ufo hunting. Think I found it. Thanks.

[@sarahbingham1133]

Whew! I click and I’m blasted with some gorgeous 60Hz video!

[@JonW77]

Another great vid! Awesome hack of a cheap camera. Just one comment though, you should definitely try to re-attach the front cover as dust will eventually get attracted to the surface of the CCD element through those holes at the front. And they are an absolute PITA to properly clean because the CCD surface is quite delicate. Also I see that front panel (that was melted) had screws in each corner, is the panel removable? If so then it's also probably a good idea to remove the panel prior to modifying it. That way there's no risk to possibly damaging the internal electronics. One other thought too, I've seen some cheap camera's that won't allow you to power up the camera on usb without the internal battery being in place so for some models you might need to externally attach the battery.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Unfortunately the part I melted and the back side that the sensor is attached to are all one piece. The screws just let you pull the whole skeleton out of the camera. Doing so is kind of a pain though because getting the buttons back in when you want to reassemble is difficult, and you have to take the screen off the back which is held by an adhesive that never wants to set correctly a second time.

[@JonW77]

Ahh right, hmm that's unfortunate. Anyway you've inspired me to go and try that on a cheap camera I've got. Currently rummaging around for a piece of copper pipe. :) . Please can you do a video on some experiments with this camera? Like filming at night? Cools effects you can do with it? What materials it can see through? Maybe try looking through smoke/fog with it? That kinda stuff. As soon as I'm employed back to full time again I will definitely be contributing to your Patreon.

[@GhengisFreud]

Coooool. Might just do half the mod and pop out the IR filter leaving the stock lens. Do they make a standard visible light filter attachment for the action camera? I'm about to find where the elusive draft in my apartment is! Thank you

[@HeirloomReviews]

wow great video! i think i will try this! the only thing is the 8mm seemed a bit blurry can this be corrected afterwards? an what other lens would you recommend an ring mount size? thanks a million : )

[@Nighthawkinlight]

The 8mm only looked blurry because I missed focus and the camera sensor was dirty. The opening shots of the burning toilet paper roll were also with the 8mm after the sensor was cleaned. I used a Fujian 35mm lens for the macro shots, with another extension tube to move it further from the sensor.

[@cmuller1441]

The problem is that the adapter may not be perfectly centered on the sensor. Also the focus plane may be tilted because the axis of the lens is probably not perpendicular to the sensor. A solution could be to put the lens on the adapter (screw it almost fully on the adapter), set its manual focus distance, use a low aperture (more light, smaller in-focus zone), then power on the camera and verify the quality of the image. Only glue when the result is ok...

[@cmuller1441]

ND filters are not designed to let ir pass. They are supposed to block all wavelengths equally. Very low quality ones work only on visible light and will let nir pass but it's not a feature, it's a defect. Google "ir pass filter"...

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It's very rare to find a variable ND filter that also filters IR, there's only one that I know of that was only recently released by SLR Magic I believe. Regular ND's can filter IR, but not all do because IR filtration is accomplished successfully by the internal IR filters on most cameras, and external IR filtration can be a negative especially when using wide angle lenses because you can get red vignetting. ND's that do filter IR are obvious because they have a metallic red coating on them. Concerning centering and alignment of the lens, it's not too big of an issue since the sensor is so small. If your plane is off slightly there isn't much difference in distance from one side of the sensor to the other. You can afford a little bit of misalignment before any sort of tilt shift effect becomes noticeable. Much more than you could with a larger sensor anyway.

[@cmuller1441]

Nd filters are designed to block visible light. There's a whole variety of response curves. Search Google images of "nd filter wavelength" Everything else is a side effect. So I guess it's a cheaper way to get a nir-pass-filter if you get the right type of ND filter. Howether ND don't fully block visible light and attenuate ir light (more or less depending on the wavelength response curve). So you don't get a pure nir image. So maybe it's better to use the proper filter designed for the task instead of another one designed for something else(and that could eventually works more or less). The sensor is small but still if poorly aligned you get tilt-shift photography. The pixels are very very small. Any miss alignment means that on the border light from a point in the object may not focus onto a single pixel on the sensor. So the small size of the sensor means a small blur but still even more magnified. The size helps with aberrations but not with tilt angle. On another subject, an alternative for your design would be to use a raspberry pi 3 with the "noir" version of its optional camera.

[@SpecificLove7]

Awesome project

[@crazycal8669]

can you now make it a night vision camera?

[@sciguyisanerd]

You can pretty easily find used GoPro cameras on eBay for around the same price as the cheaper knockoffs and I’ve bought several over the last few years

[@EAPoeProductions]

Do all these cheap action cameras have the ir-filter mounted to the lens tube instead of the sensor?

[@sausage5849]

Please point that IR only camera at the sky. Look around a bit with it, I think you may be amazed what you might see.

[@nerd_world8919]

Nighthawkinlight became a pirate

[@Doct0r0710]

Coke and other colored drinks are transparent too in IR :) This video made me want to buy a cheap action camera and just remove the IR filter from the included lens. I'd like a full spectrum action camera.

[@predmaster]

Very good video, an interesting project. For info: All these cameras are known as Allwinner V3 clonics.

[@artemorbid]

Excellent work, when I have some time, I will have to give this shot.

[@wholock0001]

Awesome as always NHIL!

[@MobiusHorizons]

That's awesome!! I've been looking for how to do exactly this in order to use an action camera for close-up shots. I'm going to have to build this now.

[@Rippertear]

I've been looking to do something like this for a while now, of course you have a video on the topic! Keep up the great work as always!

[@zeroezzclap3735]

How have you calculated the distance to put the expansion tube so that the focus is correct?

[@sciguyisanerd]

I’m really curious to see what the footage would look like if you use an R72 filter instead of an ND filter

[@peterbaum9367]

Very interesting and a great way to get very useful filming-hardware without spending too much. Thank you very much, I'll be sure to try in near future :D

[@aserta]

I'd probably take it apart fully and work on the parts separately. Something about being neater is appealing in the long term. There's also the issue of electronics being potentially screwed in the situation where you keep them inside, i mean, ok, it would be a cheap camera but still.

[@SteveM45]

Another thing is, the IR have an other sharppoint. On old objectives are a second line for IR film.

[@JasirJeff8267]

Thanks for producing this video. It is a very interesting mod. I like your IR video clips, too!

[@calebgregory1405]

The original mount in the action camera appears to be an S-Mount, and C-mount to S-mount adapters are available from various outlets.

[@basyoni95]

The intro was really nice :D

[@jetjazz05]

Yeah, there are companies who convert your DSLR into an IR camera (usually for nighttime astro photography), and I want to say Canon has even made cameras that don't have a UV filter straight from the factory.

[@ZOMBIEHEADSHOTKILLER]

yes...good to know it can be doe! . i have been trying to figure out how i could modify my cheep action cam for better lenses, just like this!!...... the only thing i would change is, it would be nice to still use the battery, especially sense i have extras. i also worry i would not be able to get the lens lined up properly.

[@marywhore1]

Nice, I'm surprised you didn't show your bird through IR, birds eye see more spectrum of light so it's fun to see how their feathers look different through their eyes

[@luisencarnacioncisnerosara854]

Usin ultra violet light flash light gives out a lot of range to see in the nigth much better that infra red, just one u violet let ligths better than 8 infra red ones. It might be visible but more powerfull

[@ARTIS773]

where is the link to the shop selling IR filters ?

[@FireLordOzai]

NightHawkInLight meets JerryRigEverything. Also, try using an IR laser with it, that would be really cool.

[@bluedoggo4429]

That's very cool and all but...is it *really* an IR camera? From what I know, glass should be opaque to IR light and those lenses are made of glass. Maybe you're getting the near IR?

[@ElectricGeckos]

Now this project is one of them I feel like I can just go out and make right away with hardly any big cost and hardly any big tools.

[@lukeskypwner278]

You should do a time-lapse/motion record of the night time sky to catch meteors/aliens.

[@erwinb3412]

Why didn't you film infrared at night ? How about installing such IR configuration on the dashboard of a , for example , cessna aeroplane with a cable to a big monitor on the dash ? See if you can fly IFR at night or bad weather , with only moonlight , or some kind of an IR illuminator , without having to use the dash blind-flying IFR instruments of the plane , but only the selfmade nightvision .

[@walkysworkshop1024]

i love your parakeet and as always great video!

[@stephenmcbride6359]

The infra red pic's look like negatives from old school film, as does the one without the nd filter (but with color's). Have you tried reversing the images as happens in developing film? The image is the color and tonal reverse. It would be interesting to see what happens and how they would look.

[@madflyer1093]

my gopro has a busted lense. never even thought of this. should give it a go

[@bratvu6919]

Can I attach a c-mount lens overlap the stock lens instead of modifying the case?

[@stephenmcbride6359]

It appears to me that the picture is allocated to the percentage of lens the small black tube around the sensor gives it. Basically a fixed aperture. Would throwing a cone that spanned the entire aperatuer of the C- ring make more use of the lense and it's light gathering ability?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

No, the tube is in the wrong position relative to the optics to act as an aperture. The light that the tube cuts off would miss the sensor anyway because it is smaller than what the lens is made for.

[@diymetric9792]

mad max style camera this project is f***ing cool !!

[@Greg-tj8rg]

Well I know what I'm going to do if I find a c-mount lens at a thrift shop. Really interesting video

[@DeathReapar]

i like the bird in the leash XD

[@analogueypx5949]

Awesome stuff. I can't wait to try this myself! 👌

[@sinformant]

Question. Could you not have taken the original lens and then made a spacer that fit snug around it that would match up with the c lens mount internal diameter and glued the two together? Or would that put the c mount lens too far away to work?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

That might be another way to do it.

[@Norman2Galindez5]

what kind of action cam you use? and what app action cam use?

[@rocheuro]

great stuff mate ! :)

[@KianaKaslana638]

My easy, but not messy solution: Find a M12/S-mount to C/CS-mount lens adapter.

[@PublicRecordsGeek]

Thanks! That's going to be a fun project for getting Sunglasses off of officers eyes in Copwatch footage.

[@vonscharf]

Fun video! Makes me want learn more about this subject.

[@dontworryaboutit8445]

Isn't this weird I was just done watching thread bagers video of invisible ink lol and there sponsor was lastpass too lol

[@calinbreedlove4196]

What would it look like pointing the ND filter at the sun or screens on electronics?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

At the sun it would just be a big white spot. Screens shouldn't give off any IR so it should look like they are off.

[@ANGELM73350]

So, theorically, it should work as nightvision?

[@robloxgamer10146]

VERY HELP FULL

[@nicktohzyu]

it's actually the visible photons in sunlight that do eye damage, the heat is not a major factor

[@Myrlin187]

Have you ever tried welding without goggles buddy the Sun will do the exact same thing to your eyes I promise you.

[@thelydiaspringexperiment6437]

whats the sensor size? i wonder if it could retro fit in one of my old super 8 cameras

[@badhonebrahim7707]

i love ur parrot.

[@schatts77]

Any noninvasive mods for a go-pro hero 4.? Also i like seeing the disc golf baskets. Do you play?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

No it's a big project to convert a gopro. You can look up the kit, it's called a ribcage. I do play disc golf. I have 4 baskets and have made a 24 hole course between them.

[@Kawitamamayi]

Cool idea! BTW though IR may be dangerous when looking at the sun through sun glasses, isn't the dose of UV, esp UV A & B range far more dangerous?

[@animefreak5757]

partially, a welding lens will block 100% (or very close to) or UV and IR light, but with less then a shade 10 it's going to be hella bright still (might not harm you, but you wouldn't see shit), iirc most people are comfortable with around a shade 12-14

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Most sun glasses should block all UV unless they're super crappy ones.

[@animefreak5757]

yea, but as demonstrated not IR, and obviously they don't block enough visible light to look directly at the sun either.

[@mindthependulum6245]

Does this mean I can turn a standard digital camera into an ir camera like a flir for a fraction of the cost?

[@N.AMRL_]

One thing what I observed when I removed the hot mirror and put in back the original lens, I won't get the same result as you do. Is the original lens still have something that blocking the infrared light?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Have you tried it in daylight yet? If you're filming indoors the image will still look normal because light bulbs don't make very much infrared light.

[@julianjuellz]

Hello Sir! Would you sell the Nominar? It looks really cool...

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Possibly. Email me at [e-mail]

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

You can get a m12 to c-mount adapter for £2 on eBay 😉

[@stephenmcbride6359]

Oh yeah, this is amazing, love the "Brilliant" mod. KUDO'S.

[@babygorilla4233]

interesting video on cameras and if i may id like to make a request for something id like to see you film with this camera. i'm a welding student and one of the things that was talked a lot about in the safety unit was that the infrared and UV light was quite dangerous and could cause burns. what i would think is an interesting thing to see filmed with this is what welding looks like through an infrared filter and what the area around it being soaked in infrared light would look like.

[@unitcharles689]

Why didn't you use this at night? It should work fine at night considering IR emits from thermal energery and not a source of light.

[@eggmanfryer]

I am planning to have a company called "Backbone" modify my GoPro Hero 8 Black to use C mount lenses. Do you have any experience with Backbone? Where can I get inexpensive C mount lenses and other equipment?

[@waynenocton]

Love this video!

[@UnfriendlyGhostK]

I have a prying tool for my lego(s)

[@TheBlackFoxMaster]

Link to the kit please.

[@kellypowell2581]

U got a hack for gopro hero 7??