Model Forum / General / Models / February 2007

I've made myself a centre cam and fitted the illumination led's.

I found a few things. rather than freehand out the pocket for the
camera I bored out a recess about 2mm oversize.  I made the mating
part so that it just touches the pcb of the camera.  I then carefully
cut out two stout paper rings and gled them to the inner faces so that
there can be no shorts on the pcb and to provide a compliant grip.

With the led's I found it better to make a perspex ring and push fit
them in rather then the aluminium ring used by the author.  I also
found that with careful measurement I could make the led ring flush,
this gives better access and  makes for easier positioning.

I have found the resistors used by the author can make the
illumination a little dim at times.  I am currently experimenting with
fitting lower valued resistors with a variable resistor (salvaged from
a mini radio) to vary the illumination.

I found it much easier to make a simple pcb, I mounted the led's
properly and the resistors on the copper side.  This gives better
clearance.

If anyone would like the pcb design just drop me a line at penidrawltd
(at) btinternet.com

Another thought that I have not experimented with is to use infra-red
led's. most digital cameras are very sensitive in this spectrum (its
what most night vision video cameras use) and it may cut down on
glare.

I'm contemplating having a switch to go between white & Infra-red but
that would mean even tighter soldering.

If and when I get time I'll let you know of any results if you are
interested.

Regards

James