Life Pixel – Canon 10D DIY Digital Infrared Conversion Tutorial

Disclaimer: This tutorial is intended for experienced professionals and made available to you for informational purposes only. Tampering with your camera will void your manufacturer’s warranty. If you decide to perform the conversion you could damage your camera or be hurt or get killed from the high voltage present – you do so at your own risk, we are not responsible for camera damage or any harm you may suffer or any special or consequential damages. Also, by visiting this site you are legally bound by our Terms of Use Agreement, we highly recommend you read it.

Focus Warning:  Because of the complexity and requirement for specialized precision equipment, advanced training and experience, we do not provide any information regarding focus calibration whatsoever.

The mere act of removing the sensor from within the camera could potentially ruin the original factory calibration and render your camera completely incapable of achieving proper focus. If this happens we will be unable to help you and even the manufacturer may refuse to service your camera. This is very serious stuff folks.

Focus and dust are in fact the most difficult parts of the conversion process. We highly recommend you send your camera in for conversion instead of attempting to do this yourself.

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You will need these tools & supplies to follow the 10D infrared conversion tutorial:

– Our custom glass infrared filter to replace the hotmirror
– Soldering iron and desoldering wick or desoldering gun
– Black silicone adhesive /w syringe type dispenser
– Small philips type screwdriver
– Tweezers
– Canned air
– Lens cleaning solution & tissue
– Grounding strap /w current limit resistor

If you prefer not to risk damage to your camera, have us convert it to infrared for you. It would be best to perform the conversion in a well lit area that is as clean and dust free as possible. Wearing a grounding strap will minimize the chance of zapping your camera with static and most likely rendering it dead.

Remove the rubber grip material (it’s self adhesive).

Remove the rubber eye piece (blue arrow), remove the marked screws.

Remove the marked screws and diopter adjustment knob.

Remove the marked screws..

Flip over the rear LCD cover and disconnect the marked connector. All connectors are flip up lever type unless indicated otherwise, just flip up the lever to disconnect.

Remove marked screws.

Remove marked screws.

Remove marked screws.

Remove the front cover.

Remove marked screw.

Lift up the top cover (blue arrow) and remove the marked screws.

Lift out the rear metal frame.

Remove marked screws and disconnect marked connectors. Using a permanent marker mark a line across one side of the ribbon cable and connector so you know which side goes were (blue arrow).

Lift out the PCB.

Remove the marked screws.

Desolder the marked solder joints.

Remove the marked screws and disconnect the ribbon cable marked with blue arrow.

Lift out the sensor assembly and remove the marked screws.

Lift out the hot mirror filter spring.

Remove the hot mirror filter mask.

Cut away the marked tabs on both sides (only one side is shown).

Carefuly lift up the hot mirror assembly which is attached with double stick tape.

Remove the double stick tape from the hot mirror assembly, be careful not to tear it.

Cut through the glue on both sides and remove the hot mirror filter.

Replace the hot mirror filter with the IR filter and carefuly apply black silicone adhesive all around the filter.

After adhesive is fully cured clean the ir filter with lens cleaner and tissue, blow off with canned air and reassemble everything by following the instructions backwards. Set a custom white balance per our instructions page and take some test shots to make sure there is no dust trapped between the sensor and infrared filter. If you find dust and find it objectionable disassemble the camera again, blow off the sensor with canned air (make sure only air and no liquid is coming out by purging and holding it upright) and re cleaning the infrared filter.

If you prefer not to risk damage to your camera, have us convert it for you here.