Aspects of the design, development and evaluation of a 1-5 ?m near-infrared camera for a large ground-based telescope are described and discussed. In particular this the?sis will consider the detailed cryogenic design and the closely inter-related areas of the optical and mechanical design. Also discussed is near-infrared imaging and imag?ing polarimetry of the star forming region OMC 2, acquired during the astronomical commissioning of the camera.