NOIR Camera Module for Pi Zero issues

Hi,

I purchased one of the Pi Zero Camera Modules without IR filter (CAM004) but have noticed the performance is way below expectations.

the project is a baby monitor and this is the second build i have done. despite having 12 IR led’s for the light source the picture is unusable at night compared to the official Pi Cam V2.1 using an identical setup.(I have also swapped camera’s between Pi’s and builds to rule that out.

I can see the led light if i point the camera directly at them from close distance but when assembled the illumination is non existent.

is it possible the camera is faulty or is this camera module really such inferior quality?

anyone else had similar issues / results?

thanks.