Turn a Canon camera into a Plant Health Analyzer using Public Lab's DIY Infragram

The "Infragram" project is a near-infrared imaging platform developed by the Public Lab community.   In this Instructable, we'll show you how you can use a cheap filter (available through Public Lab's recent Kickstarter) in order to modify an inexpensive point & shoot camera, turning it into a device capable of capturing capture "NDVI" imagery -- the same technology that NASA and farmers currently use to assess plant health.

This how-to focuses on a camera that is particularly easy to source and modify: the Canon A495 (the instructions will be identical for the A490).  You can buy a used version of this camera for around $50 or less on Amazon or Ebay.  

The main steps we'll need to accomplish are: a) remove the near-infrared blocking filter from in front of the camera's sensor, and b) add on a cheap "red-blocking" filter. 

Tools:

- A Canon A495 or A490
- A small phillips-head screwdriver
- A small strip of tape (most any type will do)
- A piece of Rosco #2007 filter paper (available from Public Lab right now via their Kickstarter, for $10)

Note:  if you'd rather not modify your own camera, Public Lab is also going to be producing a pre-assembled "point and shoot" camera -- you can sign up to get one by supporting their Kickstarter. 

Also note: this material is also explained very nicely in a Public Lab how-to video -- it'll be very useful to watch that video once before starting, and to use it as an accompanying guide for this Instructable. 

Warnings before you begin:

#1: There is a capacitor located deep inside the case of the camera.  Don't stick the screwdriver in random crevices of the camera -- you could receive a bad shock!

#2: It is very possible to ruin your camera's functionality by making a small mistake.  Don't do this with a camera that you'd really miss if something goes wrong ...

Okay, if you're ready  to modify your own Canon A495/0, let's begin!

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DIY Polaroid Swinger Model 20 To Canon EF DSLR Lens

Shopping list:

A Polaroid Land Camera Swinger Model 20

A good brand epoxy glue

A set of Canon EF Macro Extension Rings. I just got some cheap ones. Mine has 7,14 and 28mm. written on them. Others has numbers 1,2,3 on them. Get the 7,14 and 28mm. ones if you can. I don't know if the others are the same size. You should get this with the AF-Confirm chip installed.

Some Canon EF Macro Bellows. Again I got the the cheap stuff. You should get this with the AF-Confirm chip installed.

A Phillips head Screwdriver

A Compass. This is for drawing circles, not for finding the North Pole

A Ruler and a Vernier Caliper.

A flat black piece of plastic sheet 5x5 cm. You can get this from smashing the remains of the camera body.

A flat black permanent marker. I used a Posca marker.

Some paper.

Scissors

Note: AF-Confirm is when your normal AF lenses, confirms that you have reached focus. This is pretty handy, so get your adaptors with it.

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Canon Remote Shutter for R/C

- A Canon camera. Any camera, but it must be a Canon, so we can hack it with CHDK

- Mini USB male connector. I cut the end of the chord for my old mp3 player.

- Arduino. I used a Pro Mini because I need it to be as light as possible, but any Arduino will do.

- Insulated electrical wire. I used pieces that have the female headers on them so they easily connect to the R/C receiver pins.

- Heat shrink

- Soldering iron + solder

- R/C Tx + Rx. I have an 8 channel Flysky 9x pair, but any set with a spare channel will work.

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