Let's build a camera based on the Raspberry Pi with a NOIR camera. It can see in a different spectrum and you can use a TV remote control like a flashlight at night, neat. I want to start by saying this wasn't a well planned project. Every single piece of this except for the charging bits were pieces were things I had around from other projects and they all came together for this particular build.
Originally my vision was to create a semi-modern, as open as possible camera setup I could take reasonable pictures with and share. That. is. coming! However, this is a crash build to get my feet wet for that project. This is the foundation, with components I already owned.
Features:
- NOIR Camera Module at 5mp
- Rechargeable lion batteries
- Micro USB charge port
- Main power switch
- 3.5 Inch TFT LCD monitor
- Custom PyCam software
- Ability to save pictures in open and raw formats
Whats Open Source and what's not
- The operating system and camera libraries are Open Source
- The Pi is not Open Source hardware entirely
- I edit exclusively on Linux with Open Source photo editors
Features it lacks
- A camera style push button (it's currently controlled by a wireless keyboard/mouse combo)
- WiFi/Bluetooth
- Any type of power management, it's a hog. I haven't tested it yet, but I bet it only runs for 30-40 minutes.
- No video capture implemented yet
- No audio
- AESTHETICS - It's super gross, not sexy
Components:
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (original)
3.5 Inch TFT LCD Monitor
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045IIZKU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5MP NOIR Camera f3.6mm 1/2.7"
https://sg.cytron.io/c-raspberry-pi/c-raspberry-pi-camera/p-3.6mm-lens-raspberry-pi-5mp-ir-camera
Female Micro USB to DIP 5-Pin Pinboard(the actual Micro USB plug)
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W6T97HZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5V/2A Charge Module 3.7V for 18650 Lion Battery https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PZT3ZW2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the charge controller module with 4 lights on the right side. 25%-50%75%-100%
Several modifications were made to suit the project. First the composite port did not fit neatly in the box and there was no use for it. It is a two wire setup, so I de-soldered the connection right off of the RPI and soldered the connection right onto the contacts of the Raspberry board and then to the monitor. Those are the blue and white wires below. Note the power supply is actually mounted now.
May have made a mess!
I wrote a custom software to assist with configuring the camera and settings when shooting. It is still a work in progress, but it helps a bit by making it easier to use.
Here are a few sample shots. Keep in mind, I'm still trying to get the right resolution and settings. I think the white balance may need to be manually set due to the NOIR. The resolution was also very low.
Feel free to drop questions and comments below. Constructive criticism always welcome. I plan on future posts that focus on some of the more detailed aspects of each part of the project. It's just entirely too much for a single post.
@stevenson7 for visibility!
Consider joining the OpenSource Photography Community