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3 Camera Module
Front
Modified Camera Lens
Camera Module Lens Modifcation
From SingletonMillerWiki
The purpose of this project is to replace the stock lens assembly of the Raspberry Pi Camera Module with a
larger lens. The aim is to increase the be able to fit other lenses and filters in order to modify the field of view
and waveband of operation.
Contents
1 Overview
2 Parts Required
3 Tools Required.
3.1 ESD Hazard
4 Step by Step
4.1 Removal of the Basic Lens
4.2 Lens Mount Modification
5 Near Infra Red modification
5.1 Add a Visible Blocking Filter
6 References
Overview
Conversion
From To
Parts Required
1. Raspberry Pi Camera Module [1] (http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/tag/camera-board)
2. any 1/3rd inch CCTV camera lens [2] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006Z5C30E)
Tools Required.
1. 1mm Jewelers screwdriver
2. 4mm Jewelers screwdriver
3. Fine nosed pliers or good tweezers
4. Craft Knife
5. ESD mat and strap.
6. 1mm single core wire
ESD Hazard
The Raspberry Pi camera module is a sensitive electronic component and will be suceptable to ESD [3]
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge) . Please take sensible precausions or you risk permanently
damaging your camera.
Step by Step
Before you start you need to know if you want to remove the stock Infra-Red blocking filter in your camera or
not. This should only be attempted if you need to access the near infra-red capabilities of yor RPi Camera
module.
Turn the camera module over and pull the taps on the flexi connector
to release the flexi, put the flexi in a safe place.
Gently prise the mini connector
off the camera board.
Peal the lens assembly off the board, it only stuck on with an adhesive
pad. The board and the lens should now be free. Put the board in a
safe place taking care not to contaminate the adhesive pad, we are
going to reuse it.
Removal of the Basic Lens
Once you've removed the module from the camera board removing the
lens is simply achieved using a pair of pliers to grip the threaded end of
the lens and unscrew it anti-clockwise. Refit the module to the board
and be sure to lightly screw the lens back into place to prevent any
dust getting on to the filter.
Removal of the lens only, leave
the blocking filter in place to
protect the array.
Notice the original module is easily
covered by the 1/3rd inch
housing.
Rear view shows the mounting
holes don't quite match, shame its
quite close!
Lens Mount Modification
Place the body of the CCTV
lens on top of the camera
module, be careful to avoid
touching the array or getting
dust into the module. The holes
for the new housing don't quite
line up but we'll fit that in a
minute.
Lens body fouls the connector
Try to make yours a bit neater!
The new lens body is too large
and fouls the mini connector.
Using a craft knife carefully
waste away enough plastic to
allow the body to sit flush over
the connector.
Using the wire, thread a short
length through the holes in the
board and the lens body, twist
the wire to secure the body to
the board. Bend the wire up so
it cant get trapped under the
board and short something out!
This is a temporary method of
securing the lens housing. Once
you're happy with the
concentricity of the new
housing to the array the body
can be secured with any
suitable adhesive.
1/3rd" 16mm F1.2 Lens
Fit the lens of your choice to the body and now your new camera is
ready for focusing. Don't Forget to remove the original lens with the
tweezers otherwise you won't be able to focus the new lens!
Fit the lens of your choice to
the body and now your new
camera is ready for focusing
Near Infra Red modification
Proceed as per the basic modifcation only remove the NIR filter as follows.
Take a fine bladed scredriver and work along the joint of the lens
assembly, the idea is to gently dig through the plastic just above the
metal base. This take a little time and patience and is considerably
safer than using a knife! Once there's a gap between the parts use a
larger bladed screwdriver to crack the seal and the lens assembly will
'pop off'.
Red tint its the IR filter
Stock Lens assembly removed
Salvage the lens assembly and
store in a safe place, the filter
will be of use later. Carefully
handle the now bare camera
array, refit this to the board. Its
better to fit the mini connector
first and let the regidity of the
flexi re-align the array to the
adhesive pad. Gently press the
arry on to the pad avoid
touching the array, use the
edges only.
Add a Visible Blocking Filter
This process modifies the lens cap from the 1/3rd inch lens to take a visible blocking filter [4]
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-10mm-Filter-Lens-against-400nm-750nm-808nm-1064nm-IR-Infrared-
Laser-Pass-/290728770467?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:GB:3160) . The idea is to make a cap for the lens
that can be fitted to temporarily turn any RPi module without a NIR blocking filter into an infra-red camera by
blocking the visible light. Operation of a RPi Camera module with any filter will produce images with both colour
and NIR content.
Using a small bladed screwdriver pierce the top of the plastic lens cap.
Work around in a circle slightly smaller than the filter
Push out the middle
Lens Cap ready for filter
Press the filter in to the plastic, the plastic should be flexible enough to
form around the filter.
Lens cap ready for fitting
Job done!
References
1. RaspberryPi Camera Module (http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/tag/camera-board)
2. 16mm F2.0 1/3" Replacement Board Lens for CCTV Camera
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006Z5C30E)
3. Electrostatic discharge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge)
4. 10mm Visable blocking filter (http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-10mm-Filter-Lens-against-400nm-750nm-
808nm-1064nm-IR-Infrared-Laser-Pass-/290728770467?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:GB:3160)
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This page was last modified on 22 June 2013, at 16:38.