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Finally tried this "hack" recently (with plain old Logitech Quickcam Express USB, first version). Basically you just have to remove IR filter in lenses of the camera - details of placement probably vary, but it's the part that gives "reddish look", small, 1mm thick square in my case, removal of which is easy.
Results: washed out and unnaturall colours, weird looking eyes, BUT much. much higher sensitivity. Previously my webcam needed typical lighbulb somewhere nearby to be acceptable, now candle is enough. And when I turn saturation down (b&w image), it looks mostly natural - and lack of colours isn't a problem in typical webcam usages IMHO (beeing forced to have streong light is, IMHO).
BTW, supposedly black part from the beginning of analogue photography film, while filtering visible light, lets IR to pass - using such filter the webcam would be truly IR (now it receives both visible and near IR). Might try that out of curiosity...
Results: washed out and unnaturall colours, weird looking eyes, BUT much. much higher sensitivity. Previously my webcam needed typical lighbulb somewhere nearby to be acceptable, now candle is enough. And when I turn saturation down (b&w image), it looks mostly natural - and lack of colours isn't a problem in typical webcam usages IMHO (beeing forced to have streong light is, IMHO).
BTW, supposedly black part from the beginning of analogue photography film, while filtering visible light, lets IR to pass - using such filter the webcam would be truly IR (now it receives both visible and near IR). Might try that out of curiosity...
(that's why just playing...)
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