High-speed laser camera 29425 fotoopa
Update 2012:
There is a new 3D dual camera system + beamsplitter now:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/6760414583/
Finally the high-speed laser camera is ready.
What's new in this version?
- I currently use one of the fastest shutters available. The
shutter-lag is only 3.3 msec. This is the time from the command to the
moment the picture is taken. The internal Nikon D300 shutter-lag is
normal arround 52 msec, a lot to slow for in-flight insects at
closeup distance.
The used external shutter is the Uniblitz VS14 shutter. I used the
naked body shutter, so the housing is a DIY version. The external
shutter is now between the camera and the lens. This DIY housing is
only 30mm wide. Because this shutter work as a macro ring, the infinit
focus range is limited. But in my case the usable range goes from 17mm
to 82 mm frame picture. This range is super ideal for small insects
in-flight.
I use now 3 flashes, 2 x SB-80-DX and one ringflash the SB-29-S. This
must result into better lighting. The ringflash is not connected to
the macrolens but via a new DIY adapter to the frame. This results
into a fix position as the macrolens lenght change with the macro
setting. If this ringflash stay on the lens, the laser detection
optics have not enough free to see the reflected IR signals.
In this version the lasers are a lot more accessible to adjust them correct at the ideal focuspoint of the camera. The results of this is a very high sensivity of the detector system, even at very closeup and high speed movements of the insects. The laser detection time is now 2x 60 usec or 120 usec, the shutter-lag is 3.3 msec, so I have set the flash delay at 3.5 msec to have a small save intervall.
The used photo detector diode is now the BPW41N. The detector have a integrated narrow filter. This filter is used together with IR lasers at 980 nm. The result is insensitive to the sunlight, one of the bigggest problem previous years. The new IR lasers are now very fast switching lasers and the power is a little higher, this results also into a higher reflected signal for the photodiode. results are smaller insects can be detected at higher speed.
The electronics are total reworked. The basic module is again the Terasic CPLD board (MAX II). The high voltage driver for the external shutter is adjusted to this new timings and extra signal are now avaible to open the external shutter during the adjusting procedure of the camera. The diafragma are now set manual on the AF105/2.8Dmicro lens because the camera c'nt drive this as the external shutter is now between lens and camera.
A lot of extra switches are now avaible for new functions. One of this function are the TTL power drive of the flashes via an external 6 position switch on the frame. A second switch set the ballans between the left and the right side into 6 positions. All this information is displayed on the LCD display.
All connection are now a lot reliable. The hole frame contains the electronic prints and all the connection cables. Extra highpower leds are avaible to work at night. This leds are powered via 4 external AA batterys so they give no extra load to the central power batterys (6xAA) for the hole controller.
Total weight is now 7.2 kg. The ringflash have added here an extra load but I exect significant improvement for closeup shots where the distance from object to the front of the macro lens is only 105mm for a macro setting of 2.2:1 (17mm real live picture projection on the sensor).
This setup is really complex but I have chosen for optimum speed and
performance. This Uniblitz VS14 shutter is one of the fastest version
on the market that supports this integration.
There are a lot of details not to seen on the pictures like how the
macrolens focus ring can be locked. Even on manual position, the lens
can move slow out focus in long time. So I have loked the focus ring
once the calibration is finish.
The hit rate of this camera system is near 100%. Only correct pictures are taken in full flight. This 3.5 msec shutter-lag guarantees a short movement of the insects between detection and the time that the picture are taken. The relative speed at closeup distance of fast moving insects are extreeme high. A normal camera show always a insects out the frame with the internal shutter-lag.
I have worked near 4 months on this design. The total cost is high. I have to buy a lot of new tools for the lathe and the miller machine. New lasers, tested multiple photodiodes, find the necessary aluminum parts, a lot of electronic components etc.. But now I'm ready to capture the beautiful insects once they commeback in spring.
How it's works:
-Detection system:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/5059169117/in/set-721576...
- Shutter integration:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/5192771746/
- Camera and external shutter:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/5194856127/
Overview of the setup:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/sets/72157625073020642/
Final the results so far for 2011 insects in-flight:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/sets/72157625642148065/
Results for moths 2011:
www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/sets/72157626140837710/
Comments and faves
ignat.gorazd, 3dphoto.net, Cezar Popescu, Peintre d"une violette, and 35 other people added this photo to their favorites.
linden.g (29 months ago | reply)
Thats very impressive Frans, I'm looking forward to see what this new machine can do. Happy New Year
Linden
Edward Horsford (29 months ago | reply)
Looking good Frans, good luck with the new equipment.
fotoopa (29 months ago | reply)
Thanks Linden and Edward!, Also happy New Year.
The unit is now in use for the tests. All electronics are working very well. Now i will use a few weeks for adjusting and testing the hole range from max closeup to further way. This was my most time-consuming version to realise and most difficult.
Frans.
pascalbovet.com (29 months ago | reply)
Awesome work..
Looking forward to see your upcoming work..
Cristo Bolaños (29 months ago | reply)
I like electronics and robotics, but this project is really amazing, I hope to see more updates soon!
Arnoldus1942 (29 months ago | reply)
The deadline of 1 th of januari 2011 was achieved ! My congrats for this complex realisation and a Happy New Year from your neightbor. We are just missing the total weight, I guess it's below 8 kilogram ? Lets hope for an early spring so you can test your new equipment...
fotoopa (29 months ago | reply)
Thanks everyone!
The weight is now 7.2 kg all included, 1 kg less than last year with the 3D version. The ringflash add near 0.75kg but i I expect significant improvement. The light should be better in closeup shots. There the distance between the front of the lens and the object is only 105mm at 17mm full frame picture or macro 2.2:1.
The flash light control in TTL mode from the central 6 position knob on the frame let me change quickly the light level. Insects without background need 1 to 1.5 stops more light compared to the background of white flowers. Due to this manual control I have to correct this eassy and fast. Same with the ballans left/right.
Willy1942 (29 months ago | reply)
Dat ziet er heel mooi uit Frans.
Ik wens u veel succes met de opnamen van 2011.
Een super nieuwjaarsgeschenkje....................
We zullen zeker alles blijven volgen.
mpke (29 months ago | reply)
Knap Frans, ik ben benieuwd naar de resultaten! (wat gaat er nog beter zijn behalve het licht?)
En nog een gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Maxim.
fotoopa (29 months ago | reply)
Bedankt Willy en Maxim, ook mijn beste wensen!
Naast de belichting is er vooral verbetering op de detectie gevoeligheid bij zonlicht. Door de extra bandpass filter in de photodiode kan enkel een smalle lichtrange in het IR gebied doorkomen. Omdat het lichtspectrum in volle zon enorm breed is had ik vroeger heel veel problemen bij sterk zonlicht. De gevoeligheid liep zo sterk terug dat in vele gevallen het onwerkbaar is. Nu zou dit volledig moeten opgelost zijn. Ook mede door het type photodiode blijft het signaal lineair ook bij sterk zonlicht. Hierdoor blijft de meting geldig om het verschil te zien tussen omgevingslicht en reflected IR licht van de lasers. Die signalen liggen echt heel sterk uiteen. Ik kan zelfs nog een extra verzwakker via de controller instellen moest het nog te sterk zijn. Anderszijds regelt ook mijn diafragma van de lens de lichthoeveelheid. Normaal staat de meetlens op F4 maar kan verhoogt worden tot F32 (5 stops)
De shutterlag wordt nu 3.5 msec. vroeger was dit 7 msec en bij de 3D opnames was het 58 msec. Met 58 msec kun je geen vliegen meer opnemen in volle vlucht want die staan nooit meer op je beeld door de vertraging van de shutter. Met 7 msec ging het wel tot op een bepaalde closeup stand. Nu met 3.5 msec zou het moeten gaan zelfs tot macro opnames 2.2:1 (17mm full beeld). Bij deze closeup stand is de relatieve snelheid evenredig hoger. Maar binnen een tijd van 3.5 msec kan ook een heel snel insect slechts een beperkte afstand afleggen waardoor het in beeld blijft.
Deze externe shutter wordt volledig electronisch gestuurd. Zowel open als toe is onder controle waardoor ik hem niet meer manueel moet opspannen zoals een oude mechanische shutter. Hierdoor kan ik ook burst opnames maken, dus meerdere beelden schieten zolang het insect nog gedetecteerd wordt. Dit resulteerd in verschillende opname standen waardoor de kans op mooiere beelden groter is. Het totaal gewicht is 1 kg lager dan verleden jaar. Als je 3 uur hiermee rond loopt weet je snel het verschil.
Zo zie je er zijn heel wat verbeteringen aangebracht en ook op bedrijfzekerheid en veiligheid zijn updates gemaakt. De jaren ervaringen worden iedere keer mee verwerkt in de nieuwe design.
Frans.
Epoch Photo 1 [deleted] (29 months ago | reply)
Wow! What an amazing array of technology and thought given to how to improve your photos! Amazing work. Look forward to seeing all the photos from it!
Bob
relaxednow (29 months ago | reply)
I would like to make a financial contribution for time and money you have spent. It is money well spent for the world you reveal. Please post info where to send and would that be in Euros? Good luck on the new rig.
kds315 (29 months ago | reply)
Congratulations on teh engineering work and finishing your amazing setup!
fotoopa (29 months ago | reply)
Thanks everyone!
@ relaxednow:
Thanks for the nice offer! But with extra money I have no extra flying insects. I feel me so happy outdoors in nature. Once the bugs are back I put the photos online. Then everyone can enjoy the beautiful insects.
Frans.
Vincenzo Giordano (28 months ago | reply)
This is GENIAL!!!! Congrats for all your works!!
I arrived here through Acidcow
fotoopa (28 months ago | reply)
Thanks!
Only one problem at the moment, to cold here in Belgium. No one insects can fly by this temperature. I have to wait for new captures.
Frans.
captainxo (28 months ago | reply)
Uhmmm... ever heard of Strobist?
fotoopa (28 months ago | reply)
Strobist, yes I've already a topic on it.
Frans.
estudiocreativa (28 months ago | reply)
estao es increible es lo mas impactante que vien los ultimos tiempos en equipos caseros,felicitaciones maestro!
cual es el costo de esto?
Don'z (24 months ago | reply)
Holy Shit!! i never see anything like this. salute your passion
javierzen (24 months ago | reply)
Does it work against the road police laser radars ?
fotoopa (24 months ago | reply)
@javierzen,
No total diferrent!
Jim Poor (24 months ago | reply)
That's amazing. Would the laser trigger work at a distance?
I can't use flash for my work, but I'm not stopping the motion of wings, just dogs.
I also don't need the super fast shutter lag. Just a way to trigger a D3s when the subject crosses a certain point. Sort of like a camera trap, but the equipment has to be located outside of the performance ring.
fotoopa (24 months ago | reply)
Yes this trigger system works at higher distance but think of the safe use of lasers. For insects this is less critical but for animals like dogs I would not recommend it. But technical it can works pefect.
inevitable:crafts.photos (24 months ago | reply)
holy shit !
edit:
@JimPoor
i figured out a way on the d700 for this
set the lens for manual focus
set focus priority
full press the shutter via remote
now as soon as the camera gets anything in focus it will take a photo
fotoopa (24 months ago | reply)
For a dog you are right and the is the right way to do. This is a big object and "relatieve" slow moving. But take a "fast moving" dragonfly and you have a detection problem or a shutter delay problem.
Frans.
martinphoto11 (4 months ago | reply)
Great job..........