Life Pixel – Canon Powershot G3 & G5 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 G3 & G5 infrared conversion tutorial:

– Our custom glass infrared filter
– Black silicone adhesive /w syringe type dispenser
– Small philips type screwdriver
– Wiha 267 T3x40 Torx screwdriver or equivalent
– 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 marked screws.

Remove marked screws.

Remove marked screw.

Remove marked screw.

Move the LCD in position shown and lift out the rear cover.

Disconnect the marked cables.

Remove marked screws. Lift up and flip over the PCB.

Remove marked screw and lift out the copper/plastic sheild carefuly noting its original position.

Remove marked screws with the Torx screwdriver.

The marked guide posts and screws from previous step may have glue on them. Carefully remove as much of the glue as possible before proceeding to the next step.

Lift out the sensor assembly.

Remove the marked focus spacers.

Carefuly lift out the hot mirror filter. The filter may be fixed in place with glue so be careful.

Clean the replacement filter with lens solution and tissue, blow off with canned air and place into position.

Place a bead of silicone adhesive on each side of the ir filter to fix it in position and allow to cure.

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.