FIELDCAM ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS

WE HAVE UTILIZED AND MODIFIED MANY DIFFERENT ILLUMINATION TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPLY LIGHT FOR VARIOUS CAMERA SYSTEMS. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION SEE OUR TUTORIAL: LIGHT AND CAMERA INTERACTION CONCEPTS

This can be a complicated subject. We will attempt to very briefly cover the various systems and how they work but because of the number of variables in the way the systems are configured, there are few simple answers. AS APPROPRIATE, WE CAN SUPPLY ANY OF THE SYSTEMS LISTED BELOW EXCEPT THE FIRST.

A good choice if sufficient power is available. Quartz-halogen preferred over standard tungsten filament lamps because the color temperature is more stable. Line voltage variations can cause color shifts.

Line powered (60 HZ) fluorescent lamps are usually a poor choice unless the camera system has a synchronization setting. Standard color cameras will exhibit a continuous color shift from cool (bluish) to warm (brownish) that is usually unacceptable. High frequency fluorescents (20 KHZ) can overcome this problem but they are very expensive for room area illumination.

LEDs are a good choice for low current draw, stable spectrum and long working lifetimes. Colors used range from diffuse green (560 nm, red (640-650 nm), to near infrared (840-850 nm and 940 -950 nm). Depending on distance and environment to be monitored, systems from one to several hundred LEDs are available. Choice is dependent on camera sensitivity, subject sensitivity and the environments ability to absorb(especially water) or reflect(illuminated particles close to the camera) the light.

Quartz - Halogen lamp system (left) designed to fit interchangeably with a waterproof camera system (right) in the side of a tank to monitor fish. Alden Laboratories, Holden, Massachusetts.

An assortment of 36, 18, 12 and 6 LED illuminators. 36 and 18 are in machined anodic hard coated aluminum waterproof housings. 12 and 6 are in weatherproof compact machined nylon housings.