Long-range thermal imaging cameras - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 04:59:44 pm
content: Collection only, Loughton Essex UKI picked these up a while ago - ex-military long-range thermal cameras - focus from about 25 metres to infinity ( non-adjustable), and will clearly show people at up to about 200m away320x240 with switchable 2x zoom ( pixel doubled.They formerly had motion detection hardware for perimeter security - I modified them for for composite video out and 12v supply. May have the odd dead pixel.Good for surveillance or widlife.I have about ten of these,some modded, but connectors, some parts and info to mod the rest. Would ideally like to shift the lot in one go - offers.Or £250 each for single modded units.Probably a significant value just for the huge germanium lenses.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 05:12:57 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 24, 2018, 04:59:44 pm

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 05:32:32 pm
content: BTW These are 30fps. here's some footage at about 25 metreshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LAGtfTPiIA&feature=youtu.be

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 05:40:06 pm
content: Very cool toys, if I was local I'd grab one.

author: railrun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 06:44:51 pm
content: Why no shipping. I would take one immediately.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 07:20:36 pm
content: These cameras are interesting units. They were originally part of a visible light and thermal camera combination tasked with military base perimeter surveilance in the first IRAQ conflict. The cameras were disposed of legitimately through UK MoD disposals as obsolete, but are still covered by the relevant technology export regulations. Hence why Mike is stating collection only.I have some of these thermal and visible light cameras in my collection. The visible light cameras are high performance low light units with a large zoom lens and a Peltier cooled CCD. The CCD visible light camera is a specialist unit that contains an embedded computer. The thermal camera uses a large format microbolometer with 320 x 240 pixels. The image processing is pretty standard stuff but the unit also contained a VMD embedded computer. Mike has adapted his cameras to provide composite video output. The camera is fully automatic and normally equipped with a choice of huge Germanium refractor or reflector long range lens. I have both lens types. They are primary lenses that are attached to the front of the camera with a butterfly catch. The microbolometer sits behind a Germanium window.These cameras are exterior rated for hostile conditions and have a tripod mount. If bolted to a pan tilt head, these would make an excellent wildlife observation camera.Fraser

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 07:29:38 pm
content: Excellent as alwaysFraser, thank you.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 07:32:14 pm
content: Zucca,Thanks. As you will understand, I have to be a little careful about deep technical details due to the nature of the camera.Fraser

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 07:40:46 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on April 24, 2018, 07:32:14 pmYes, my mother told me never play with fire too.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 07:59:23 pm
content: Some external pictures of the four types of camera used in the deployment.Note the size of the lenses ! Lots of Germanium in these. They must have cost a small fortune when new.Fraser

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 08:20:24 pm
content: I would be tempted to get one, but the composite output is well, quite passé.Is there a way to mod this cameras to get output in a digital form? Maybe ratiometric output?I could think of building some simple CY7C68013A based USB camera interface (quite popular in low end machine vision cameras).

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 08:41:11 pm
content: Lukier,These are custom built for surveillance so not Radiometric. With regard to a digital interface, you would need to ask Mike, but it will almost certainly be proprietary. The camera is deliberately anonymous with no makers maks on the PCB's. I have a good idea who made these and they will not discuss them with anyone outside the original supply contract.In my opinion, for £250 they are being given away. If I was still working I would buy the whole lot from Mike. You will not see the likes of these cameras very often, and if you do, expect to pay over £1K.Fraser

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 08:49:41 pm
content: Provisionally all taken.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 08:51:32 pm
content: Not at all surprisedFraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2018, 09:19:42 pm
content: seems like I missed on this crazy offer. Would have been hard to go for a pickup, but economically still viable. I was wondering what these units weigh. They would be so much better then anything I can right now and with just a monitor/recorder that supports low resolution composite input and you got a really nice stationary camera. Because moving it and bringing power will be a hard task to make this work in the field; maybe vehicle mounted.

author: mahony
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2018, 08:24:45 am
content: Would have loved to get hands of one of those - mostly for the optics! Anyone got some idea of the focal length of those?Have to keep my eyes open on ebay me thinks... ;-)

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2018, 09:04:24 am
content: I still have a couple but I would not ship them outside the UK. They are 100% Military with no civilian variant. The technology remains controlled and regulated.Fraser

author: railrun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2018, 09:09:38 am
content: Someone has to travel from Germany to the UKQuote from: mahony on April 26, 2018, 08:24:45 am

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2018, 09:48:15 am
content: I will have to do a FOV test and see what kind of figures I get.Having thought about it for a moment..... I could sell such a large and unusual lens assembly on its own on eBay as many such lenses already appear there.Hmmmm, Mike has got me thinking with his camera sale. I do not use mine so maybe it is time to rehome them ?Fraser

author: mahony
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 12:00:01 pm
content: Leg us know...

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 12:17:00 pm
content: Very wet here in Blighty at the moment so no play outside until it clearsI suspect the focus point could easily be moved closer by inserting a spacer between the primary lens and camera front plate. The lens locking system would need to be modified to allow such though. Thevapternative would be to move the microbolometer back a little, as is done on many sealed cameras with remote focus.Fraser

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 12:39:52 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on April 26, 2018, 09:04:24 amIs that limited to the EU or the UK? What rules are involved?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 04:17:21 pm
content: Well these are Ex UK military long range thermal imaging cameras with 320 x 240 pixel 30fps imaging sensors. Who made the sensor array often determines who's export regulations apply. As UK Ex military equipment it would likely come under NATO distribution rules and Dual Use Technology regulations as a minimum. The problem is, they are very much bespoke for the Military so I have no idea whether specific export restrictions apply. If, by some weird chance, a person was caught leaving a UK airport with such a camera, I doubt the inspecting officer would know what it is or any regulations applicable. The units carry no export warnings. That said, I have no detail of the restrictions applicable to these specific cameras. Hence why I personally would not wish to send them outside the UK. I will not break DUT, ITAR or NATO technology distribution regulations.A side story that may be of interest to our Russian members....I was offered Gen 2+ night vision tank gun sights whilst on tour in Moscow Circa 1998. The same situation applied there. I was not sure how my Russian hosts would respond as they saw a military gun sight pass through the airport X-Ray. Russian inspectors know what a gun sight looks like ! I did not fancy getting arrested for espionage and ending up in a Russian prison, even for a day. The gun sights were often stolen in the Ukraine or Russia whilst the tanks were in transit on slow moving trains. All manner of bits were ripped off of those tanks and appeared in Ukrainian and Russian 'technology' Markets.In short..... if in doubt, always play safe and apply common sense. Military kit should stay within your countries borders unless you have clear guidance on the regulations applicable to such equipment.Fraser

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2018, 04:42:49 pm
content: It sounds a lot like shipping them within EU NATO countries shouldn't be a problem. ITAR doesn't apply and they're released to the public without explicit restrictions. Shipping to Russia or the Middle East might get exciting, though I doubt the former hasn't got anything better. That's not something that'll save you, though.Obviously the Brexit might change this in the future.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 02:44:29 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on April 28, 2018, 04:17:21 pmNow that right there is funny. I had the same exact experience in Russia, and in near the same timeframe also. I also made the same choice as you - not to partake. Didn't want to end up in the gulag if they just happened to search my luggage.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2018, 06:58:09 am
content: wow! I'd love one of those to play with.

author: TheEPROM9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 10:12:10 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 24, 2018, 04:59:44 pmAre any of these still going?Would not mind one for my own experiments.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 10:41:57 pm
content: Quote from: TheEPROM9 on June 12, 2018, 10:12:10 pmTalk to Toploser.