Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: Admin on January 28, 2008, 09:23:30 AM

Title: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: Admin on January 28, 2008, 09:23:30 AM
Here is the deal . . .

I have a giant glass tank filled with water, and my robot fish is in it.

I got two expensive high speed cameras pointed at the fish, 90 degrees to each other.

The problem I am having is poor lighting . . . the cam images are really dark.

I took all the office lights I can find and am pointing it through the glass, even bought 6 underwater fountain lights (3 stopped working for no reason, so lame) . . . but still not enough light!

I spent weeks looking for underwater lights, but apparently 'waterproof' in the marketing biz actually only means 'splash resistant' . . . dangerous, I know . . . so I ended up giving up on this underwater light idea.

So I am thinking of getting a professional studio light or flood lamp, hopefully under $120 . . .

Anyone with recommendations on lighting or where to get a studio light? Google has tons, but looking for anyone experienced with thoughts . . .
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: Trumpkin on January 28, 2008, 09:41:47 AM
I have no idea if this would work but it says it's good for photo studios and it's under $120.  http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203461497&listingid=15996209&dcaid=17902
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: Admin on January 28, 2008, 10:26:35 AM
Quote
I have no idea if this would work but it says it's good for photo studios and it's under $120.  http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203461497&listingid=15996209&dcaid=17902
I called them up, and they said it didn't come with a bulb or stand.

A very expensive light bulb holder, no? :P
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: ed1380 on January 28, 2008, 02:53:42 PM
if the camera's dont come with flash then maybe sync a strobe light with the camera?
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: SmAsH on January 28, 2008, 03:10:59 PM
is it possible to put the tank outside on a sunny day?
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: Admin on January 28, 2008, 05:18:15 PM
nm I found two really bright directional lights in the lab, and I just finished filming :D

Quote
maybe sync a strobe light with the camera?
I own a stroboscope that can do really high frequency light flashes, and I considered this option actually, but I have no way of easily synchronizing two cameras and a stroboscope simultaneously.

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is it possible to put the tank outside on a sunny day?
even with no water in it, it requires a crane to lift . . . and it has to be in my lab so I can utilize all the equipment . . . my earlier experiments were done in a small home fish tank, right next to a big sunny window. the problem with windows though is green algae turns my tank green when sunlight is present . . .
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: HDL_CinC_Dragon on January 28, 2008, 07:05:56 PM
the problem with windows though is green algae turns my tank green when sunlight is present . . .
So throw some snails in there :P

Would it be possible to get 2 strobes and have them go off and on at opposing intervals so its basically just a constant crazy bright light?
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: ddemarco5 on January 28, 2008, 08:32:08 PM
does the tank have a closed top? If not, why not just shine a light at it from the top?
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: ed1380 on January 28, 2008, 08:55:26 PM
does the tank have a closed top? If not, why not just shine a light at it from the top?
\/ read \/
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even with no water in it, it requires a crane to lift . . . and it has to be in my lab so I can utilize all the equipment


they should invent a inverted ^ keyboard key
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: JonHylands on January 28, 2008, 09:05:56 PM

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/robotrov/message/6207

Might be worth checking out...
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: Admin on January 29, 2008, 08:39:13 AM
hmmm that yahoo groups requires a yahoo account to access it . . .

but anyway no worries, my problem has been solved
Title: Re: lighting recommendation for highspeed cameras
Post by: ddemarco5 on January 30, 2008, 07:43:20 PM
ed, that dosen't mean you can't get a ladder or something.