In the Lab – Imatest

Imatest Collimator Fixture Validation

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding the performance of an imaging system at its operational working distance is crucial, but testing these systems at long distances isn’t always practical, especially in a production environment. Relay lenses can be used to effectively simulate longer test distances ranging from several meters to infinity. The Imatest Collimator Fixture (ICF) incorporates a relay lens and a test chart along with high precision motorized stages for automated positioning of your camera and target. To validate this lens formula and the fixture itself, we compare the MTF values from real-world images with those from the collimator fixture.

The post Imatest Collimator Fixture Validation appeared first on Imatest.

Underwater Optics (ABC Catalyst)

Henry Koren — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:51:31 +0000

“Underwater Optics”, a segment from ABC Australia’s science program Catalyst produced by underwater cinematographer Pawel Achtel. It looks at why it is so hard to get sharp images underwater, and follows Pawel as he builds and tests camera housings, lenses and dome ports, measuring them in a water tank with slanted-edge sharpness analysis on SFRplus targets.

See Underwater for how to test underwater cameras with Imatest, and Sharpness for more on slanted-edge measurements.

The post Underwater Optics (ABC Catalyst) appeared first on Imatest.

Color vs. B&W LVT Film in Near Infrared

Henry Koren — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 17:05:27 +0000

Two eSFR ISO test charts on a lightbox, one printed on black and white LVT film and one on color LVT film, filmed as the illumination switches between visible light and near infrared (NIR). In NIR the color film becomes nearly transparent and its chart disappears, while the black and white film chart stays sharp, which is why black and white LVT film is the right chart media for measuring sharpness in NIR.

This video is part of Considerations when evaluating a Near Infrared camera, which covers light sources and charts for testing dual-band cameras. See also Infrared.

The post Color vs. B&W LVT Film in Near Infrared appeared first on Imatest.

Camera to Chart Alignment

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000

This video takes you through two processes for centering a target with your camera system.

The post Camera to Chart Alignment appeared first on Imatest.

MTS-Reflective Module

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The WFOV Module is an add-on to Imatest’s Modular Test Stand and provides an easy-to use-platform for sharpness testing of wide FOV camera systems up to 200º. The fixture integrates with the Kino Flo LED Freestyle 31 lights. Here we walk you through how to implement this system in your lab setting. Learn More

The post MTS-Reflective Module appeared first on Imatest.

Collimator Fixture Overview

Henry Koren — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 21:03:15 +0000

An overview of the Imatest Collimator Fixture, which tests cameras focused at long distances in a small lab by projecting test targets through a collimator. The video shows its precision motion stages, how easily the simulated target distance is adjusted, the joystick for manual control, and how it works with a range of relay lenses, Imatest LED light panels (sizes C through G) and charts such as SFRplus.

This video appears on:

Imatest Collimator Fixture, the product page
Target Collimators
Long Range Testing
Imatest Announces the New Collimator Fixture

The post Collimator Fixture Overview appeared first on Imatest.

Imatest Modular Test Stand

Henry Koren — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 16:06:06 +0000

A walkthrough of the Imatest Modular Test Stand (MTS) being set up in the lab: the adjustable chart holder, the camera rail, the camera mount and transmissive lighting, ready for repeatable camera-to-chart measurements.

Adjustable chart holder for reflective targets from 21.58 × 27.94 cm up to 110 × 144 cm
Camera rail in 1 m, 2 m (standard) and 3.5 m lengths, with custom sizes available
Transmissive lighting with light panel sizes C through G, and custom options

See the Imatest Modular Test Stand for specifications, motorized options and upgrade kits.

The post Imatest Modular Test Stand appeared first on Imatest.

Reducing the Cross-Lab Variation of Image Quality Metrics

Henry Koren — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Henry Koren of Imatest presents this IEEE Camera Phone Image Quality (CPIQ) paper at Electronic Imaging 2019, on behalf of the IEEE CPIQ Conformity Assessment Steering Committee (CASC). Round-robin studies tested the same mobile devices in different labs and found many things that skew results: near-infrared energy in light sources meant to simulate CIE illuminants, the opal diffusers used for uniformity testing, how scene framing changes white balance and exposure, and how chart quality and texture frequency content affect texture blur scores. The talk introduces a test procedure to reduce lab-to-lab variation and a way to assess whether an independent lab conforms to the IEEE CPIQ standard.

See Reducing the cross-lab variation of image quality metrics for the abstract, the IEEE 1858 standard and test plan, and the presentation slides. Also on YouTube.

The post Reducing the Cross-Lab Variation of Image Quality Metrics appeared first on Imatest.