| 1. Attach a dedicated fixed ring to the tip | ||
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| 2.Utilize an easy arm for ring lighting | ||
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イージーアーム（リング照明用） KA-R
You can move the three joints freely |
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| It can be attached to a 3D arm (horizontal branch | ||
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When attached to a 3D arm, tilting the lens also tilts the LED ring light simultaneously, which is convenient | |
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“Of course, it can also be attached to a support pillar.” | |
The filters to be attached to the lens usually have ‘male and female threads of the same size’.
If it’s a 30.5mm filter, both would be labeled as M30.5mm. Therefore, you can stack multiple filters of the same size and use them together
Of course, it can also be attached to a 30.5mm lens. In the case of a universal lens, since the lens side has a female thread, you would attach the male threaded side of the filter.。
If you need to change the diameter, conversion rings like the following are available.
(The following is a ring for attaching a 37mm filter to a 28mm diameter lens.)
I will describe the cleaning method for lenses and filters.
Lenses and filters can accumulate dust, debris, dirt, fingerprints, and other particles.
When cleaning, please follow the steps below.
**Items Needed:**
– Commercial lens blower
– Commercial lens cleaning tissues, paper, or lens cleaning cotton swabs
(Items with low or no dust generation)
– Commercial lens cleaning solution or high-purity ethanol
There are products available that combine the above items into one set.
Product by KING (Asanuma Corporation):
Camera Cleaning Kit
[Attention]
While a canned air duster can be used as a substitute for the blower, some canned air dusters may release fine water droplets. Please avoid using this type for lens and filter cleaning.
～Steps～
[Attention]
If you wipe while dust is still adhered, it may scratch the lens surface or cause the coating to peel off. Please ensure thorough blowing to remove dust completely.
[Attention]
While tweezers can be used as a substitute, if the paper tears and the metal directly touches the lens, it may scratch the lens surface or cause the coating to peel off. Please avoid using metal tweezers or those with sharp tips.
“There are two methods for wiping: radiating from the center to the periphery and spiraling from the center to the periphery. Choose according to the direction of dirt.
[Attention]
Please wipe gently. Wiping vigorously may cause the coating on the lens surface to peel off.”
[Attention]
Please wipe gently during this process. Wiping too hard may cause the coating on the lens surface to peel off.
| Introduce two types of ring lights
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| Space-saving LED lighting LED-16
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40 small diameter LED ring lights LED-40
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| Outer diameter φ48mm Inner diameter φ15mm
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Outer diameter φ63mm Inner diameter φ27mm
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| 16 lights flat (The LED angle is 0°, pointing straight down.)
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40 lights direct (The LED has an angle)
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| dimmable
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dimmable
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| ＜mounting method＞ | ＜mounting method＞ |
| Exclusive for M28/M42 （M42 is a standard called T-mount） |
The M28 female thread uses three fixed screws. |
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The slim lens is secured using M28. |
The slim lens is secured using M28. |
The standard lens (SDS-M) is secured using M42. |
The standard lens (SDS-M) is secured using three-point screws
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Telecentric lenses allow you to obtain images with less distortion.
I experimented with our telecentric lenses RT3 and RT5.
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Telecentric lens RT3, RT5 Attach it to the USB camera. I took a photo of the glass scale. |
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| Photographed with telecentric lens RT3 | Photographed with telecentric lens RT5 |
| You can see that there is no distortion in the four corners of the screen. This is the feature of telecentric lenses. |
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If you are using a CCTV lens, a telephoto lens will have less distortion than a wide-angle lens.
I experimented with a 6mm fixed focus lens and a 25mm fixed focus lens.
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I attached an 8mm fixed-focus lens to a USB camera and took a picture of graph paper. |
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It is evident that the four corners of the graph paper are distorted. |
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“I attached a 25mm fixed-focus lens to a USB camera and took a picture of graph paper.” |
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There isn’t much distortion observed at the four corners of the graph paper |
If it’s a macro lens, some lenses have less distortion depending on their performance, but they tend to be more expensive as a result.
1. There is no expansion or contraction of the image within the depth of focus.
→It is possible to reduce measurement errors when measuring dimensions.
2. Less image distortion due to parallax
3. When used in conjunction with coaxial lighting, the brightness of the object is less uneven.
There are two main types of lenses: bilateral telecentric lenses and unilateral telecentric lenses.
We also handle both double-sided and single-sided telecentric lenses.
The characteristics of each are as follows.
A feature of this camera is that the projected size of the subject remains the same regardless of the distance between the camera sensor and the subject.
In other words, by changing the distance on the camera sensor side using a close-up ring, etc., you can change only the distance between the lens and the subject without changing the magnification.
However, the diameter of the lens is physically larger than the area to be projected, so the lower the magnification, the larger the lens size and the higher the price.
Used in precision measuring equipment and projectors.
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両側テレセントリックレンズ RT1 RT3 RT5 |
Unilateral telecentric lens
This lens has a telecentric lens structure only on the subject side.
Unlike a double-sided telecentric lens, when the distance to the camera sensor side changes, the size of the subject will change, just like a non-telecentric lens.
The lens is smaller and less expensive than a double-telecentric lens.
If changing the magnification like a macro zoom lens is not necessary for dimension measurement purposes, it may be used as a fixed magnification replacement.
(In addition to the subject-side telecentric lenses that we handle, there are also image-side telecentric lenses that have a telecentric lens structure only on the camera sensor side.
This is rarely used when photographing workpieces using a regular camera. )
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テレセントリックレンズ（同軸照明対応・W.D.65mmタイプ）
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メガピクセル対応テレセントリックレンズ（W.D.65mmタイプ）
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メガピクセル対応テレセントリックレンズ（同軸照明対応・W.D.65mmタイプ）
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A distance of 170 mm can be secured from the tip of the lens to the object.
At this level of magnification, there is not much difference in resolution compared to our zoom lens.
This is effective if you really want to make the lens and camera smaller.
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telecentric lens
（Working distance：170ｍｍ） |
TG lens + 0.5x auxiliary lens (focal length: 170mm) |
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The lens is small and the focal length is short at 40mm, making it convenient for installation in tight spaces.
Although the magnification is high, the resolution is lower compared to our zoom lens.
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Space-saving, high-magnification telecentric lens |
FZ lens + 2x auxiliary lens |
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| (⇓Enlarge the red frame above) | (⇓Enlarge the red frame above) |
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2Kigou pitch discrimination and number discrimination are not possible with a telecentric lens.
(Reference) When viewed with our highest resolution lens, it looks like the following.
The main features of telecentric lenses are
1. Since there is no expansion or contraction of the image within the depth of focus, measurement errors can be reduced when measuring dimensions.
2. Less image distortion due to parallax
3. When used in conjunction with coaxial lighting, the brightness of the object is less uneven.
And so on.
Double-sided telecentric lenses used in precision measurement equipment and projectors.
There are single-sided telecentric lenses, which have a telecentric lens structure only on the subject side.
Double-sided telecentric lenses are large and expensive, while single-sided telecentric lenses are small and relatively inexpensive.
If the back focus is misaligned, it will result in a focus shift.
There can be confusion between flange back and back focus, but they are distinct concepts.
The distance from the camera’s C-mount to the imaging sensor surface (flange back) may vary slightly depending on the camera. Therefore, when changing lenses or cameras, it may be necessary to adjust the back focus.
(We ship products that combine cameras and lenses with precise adjustments.)
Additionally, for lenses with a back focus adjustment mechanism, customers can also make fine adjustments themselves.
We also offer lenses with a back focus adjustment mechanism as optional accessories.
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Back focus mechanism lens SDS-M19 |
For detailed product information, please contact our technical support.
There is an option called the ‘0.5x auxiliary lens’ that approximately doubles the operating distance. (Please note that some models may not have the option of auxiliary lenses available.)
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0.5x Auxiliary Lens for Standard Lens: TG-0.5
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<Changes in Operating Distance>
* With the optional 0.5x auxiliary lens (TG-0.5) for the standard lens:
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Without TG-0.5
(installed on TG500CS) |
With TG-0.5
(installed on TG500CS) |
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Working distance
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90mm
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160mm
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When using the 0.5x auxiliary lens, the operating distance becomes longer, and the distance between the lighting and the object also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to use the lighting LED angle (bottom: LED-A2) to fix the lighting near the object.
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| LED angle（LED-A2） | Mounting Example |
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact technical support.”
Chromatic aberration refers to the displacement (color shift) of an image created by a lens due to the wavelength of light. Even when using the same lens, the refractive index of the lens varies depending on the wavelength of light, causing differences in focal length based on color. As a result, when looking through the lens, the position where the image is focused shifts, causing blurring.
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In a state where chromatic aberration is occurring: Blue, red, and green light are not focused together, but are dispersed separately. |
To mitigate chromatic aberration, there are compound lenses such as achromatic lenses, which are made by bonding several types of lenses together. While using these lenses can minimize chromatic aberration as much as possible, it cannot be completely eliminated.
If you don’t mind sacrificing magnification, use a 0.5x auxiliary lens to increase W.D.
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標準レンズ専用0.5倍補助レンズ TG-0.5
<Example> |
However, in this case, the position of the LED ring light attached to the tip of the lens will be moved away from the object and the light will become dark, so it is necessary to improve the lighting by changing to a higher brightness light or removing the diffuser plate. will become necessary.
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高輝度80灯LEDリング照明 GR-80N2 |
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With removable diffuser plate |
It is possible to change the position of the lighting using the LED angle, but this will interfere with the extended W.D., so use twin arm lighting (SPF-D2), LED spot lighting (SPF-FL3), etc. We recommend.
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Even though I used a 0.5x auxiliary lens to extend the W.D. If you lower the position of the lighting using an LED angle This will interfere with the W.D. that you have worked so hard to develop. |
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Therefore, we recommend using twin arm lighting (SPF-D2), LED spot lighting (SPF-FL3), etc.
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ツインアームLED照明 SPF-D2
Stationary type dimmable LED twin arm lighting. |
Please contact technical support for details.
When observing an object with magnification, magnification is of course important, but
It is also important to be able to discern fine details.
This ability is called resolution,
It is expressed as “the minimum distance that allows two points that are close to each other to be distinguished.
Resolution = Distance at which two points can be identified
*If you are observing the presence or absence of minute objects, it is possible to check even smaller objects.
Expressed mathematically, resolution = kλ/NA.
k is a coefficient and values of 0.61 and 0.5 are used.
λ is the wavelength of light. For normal visible light, use 0.55μm.
NA is the numerical aperture of the lens. (This value indicates one of the lens’s performance.)
The larger the numerical aperture, the higher the resolution (smaller the numerical value).
(Example) If the lens has a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.9,
Resolution = 0.5×0.55/0.9 = 0.30μm.
If the distance between two points is 0.30μm, two points can be identified.
There is no relationship between resolution and magnification, so no matter how much you increase the magnification with this lens,
The discrimination between two points is 0.30μm.
This is an important value that determines the performance of the lens.
Numerical aperture (NA) = nsinθ
n is the refractive index of the medium from the object to the lens, and if it is air, n = 1.
θ is the amount of light that enters the lens from the point where the optical axis intersects the object.
This is the outermost angle.
The larger the numerical aperture
This will be a bright lens.
Also, since resolution = kλ/NA, the larger the numerical aperture, the
The resolution will be higher. (The number will be smaller.)
The numerical aperture is 0.026.
Resolution = (0.61×0.55)/0.026 = 12.9μm.
This almost matches the resolution (12.7μm) in the table above.
The numerical aperture of our medium magnification zoom lens (SDS-M) ranges from 0.014 (at the lowest magnification) to 0.036 (at the maximum magnification).
Resolution at lowest magnification = (0.61×0.55)/0.014 = 23.9μm
Resolution at maximum magnification = (0.61×0.55)/0.036 = 9.3μm.
By installing it between the camera and the main lens, you can change the magnification without changing the W.D. (working distance).
However, the disadvantages are that the brightness decreases (the F value increases), the resolution and contrast decrease, and the focus becomes poor.
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Attach it between the camera and the main lens.
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A lens designed for close-up photography is called a macro lens.
A macro zoom lens is one in which the magnification can be changed continuously and the focal length is constant (does not change).
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The following two methods are typical for deepening the depth of field.
(1) Increase the depth of field distance.
(2) Narrow down the optical path *For information on aperture, please refer to “What is depth of focus/depth of field?”
This time I will explain (1).
Below is a spec table for lenses of the same manufacturer, same series, and same magnification (X4).
The longer the W.D., the deeper the depth of field.
Comparative imaging using lenses from the same manufacturer and series but with differing working distances, observing a glass scale with a 0.2mm pitch tilted at a 45-degree angle and viewed from directly above.
If you determine that the focus is aligned with one increment (0.2mm), then the depth of field can be calculated as 0.2mm x (1/√2) = 0.14mm.
If you determine that the focus is aligned with two increments (0.4mm), then the depth of field can be calculated as 0.4mm x (1/√2) = 0.28mm.
Metal materials are used in all fields, and there are many types of metals.
Appropriate materials must be selected according to the application and purpose.
Cast iron is one of those metal materials.
Cast iron is a composite material in which graphite (nonmetal) is dispersed three-dimensionally within steel.
Depending on which form of graphite exists, mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation, and physical properties such as thermal conductivity vary.
In particular, mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation require an average graphite spheroidization rate of 80% or more when observed under a microscope (100x magnification).
Therefore, graphite nodularity is an important evaluation criterion to guarantee tensile strength and elongation.
To analyze the graphite nodularity rate, follow the steps below.
① Pre-treatment process: Rough cutting for large samples
②Pre-treatment process Resin embedding
③Pre-treatment process: Cutting the sample
④Pre-treatment process: Rough polishing of the cut surface
⑤Pre-treatment process Fine polishing of the cut surface
⑥ Pre-treatment process Buff polishing of the cut surface to a mirror finish
⑦ Pre-treatment process Etching treatment with chemicals (burning the surface with chemicals)
⑧ Microscope observation
⑨Classification, counting, calculation
There are many pre-processing steps and it takes a lot of time.
For observation, microscopic observation (100x magnification) is performed using a metallurgical microscope.
“We use classification based on roundness coefficients standardized by JIS industrial standards and numbers based on size.”
These are used to calculate the graphite nodularity rate, such as area calculation and counting.
Calculation of graphite nodularity in microscopic structure
① In principle, the magnification is 100x, and the test is performed on 5 fields of view, and the average value is calculated.
② Graphite and inclusions smaller than 2mm (actual size 20μm) are not covered.
③ Compare and classify with the classification table.
④ Find the ratio (%) of the number of graphite grains with shapes V and VI to the total number of graphite grains and use it as the graphite nodularity rate.
I will do it.
It is an analog method and requires complicated work and is time consuming.
Including the pretreatment process, the work requires a considerable amount of time and effort, is prone to human error, and is difficult to evaluate.
Therefore, we would like to propose a method using graphite spheroidization software.
This is a method of clearly photographing spherical graphite magnified with a microscope and analyzing it using software.
This is done through image analysis processing according to the calculation method described above.
The image shows graphite spheroidized into various shapes and sizes.
In addition, it is possible to automatically measure the area and count graphite from the high-definition image.
Additionally, still images and accurate values can be output in Excel format, streamlining the entire process leading up to report creation.
Click here for details on graphite nodularity measurement software
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黒鉛球状化率測定ソフト（日鉄テクノロジー株式会社製） KKS04 |
Recommended for those who want to analyze large cast iron, carry it around, and easily measure graphite nodularity!
●Set of small and simple metallurgical microscope (with camera) and graphite nodularity measurement software
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Easy to observe large cast iron
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Recommended for those who want to seriously measure graphite spheroidization rate!
●Set of metallurgical microscope, microscope camera, graphite nodularity measurement software
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倒立型金属顕微鏡 （超高倍率顕微鏡） GR-29J-C3J |
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It is efficient to use software to measure graphite nodularity.
We have convenient simple sets and full-scale sets available.
You might not often hear the term “dynamic range,” but I’ll explain it simply. It refers to the ability to capture both bright and dark areas simultaneously without overexposing or underexposing either. When adjusting brightness for one, the other may become washed out or too dark.
To overcome this, a camera with a wide dynamic range is necessary. Dynamic range is a characteristic of cameras, and it varies between different models. Compared to typical cameras, the human eye is remarkably adept, with a wide dynamic range.
Many discrepancies between what we see with our eyes and what is captured by a camera can be attributed to differences in dynamic range. Some models highlight their wide dynamic range capabilities, so choosing such models would be optimal.
It sounds like your company offers a model that meets all three criteria mentioned. The Full HD microscope with a frame rate of 60fps ensures smooth viewing, while the color reproduction is exceptionally clear due to the Full HD resolution. Additionally, the model features HDR (High Dynamic Range) functionality, providing a wide dynamic range to capture both bright and dark areas effectively.
With demo units available, I encourage you to give it a try. It seems like an excellent opportunity to experience the capabilities of the microscope firsthand.
Fluorescence is a weak amount of light emission and requires a highly sensitive camera.
Therefore, the camera used for fluorescence microscopy is usually a cooled CCD camera (monochrome).
Recently, there is also fluorescence emission in the visible light range, and if there is an amount of fluorescence emission at the visible light level (a level that can be seen with the naked eye), fluorescence observation can be performed with a single color camera.
In that case, there are some things to keep in mind, so please check the following.
Sensitivity is the ability to distinguish between noise and signal.
Noise occurs when the original signal cannot be distinguished from the signal emitted by the equipment.
Camera shooting under low light usually produces noise.
There is one more thing, another noise.
Noise occurs during fluorescence observation when “dark current” is generated due to an increase in exposure time.
Dark current is the leakage of electrons during camera exposure, and dark current has the property of doubling for every 7°C rise in temperature.
Sensor temperature has a large effect on dark current, but especially when shooting under low light and the exposure time is long, it can lead to a decline in the signal-to-noise ratio and image quality.
To prevent this, the camera usually has to be cooled. Therefore, a cooled CCD is used.
However, depending on the fluorescence conditions, this may not be necessary.
Generally, cooled CCD cameras are often expensive, and as long as the fluorescence reaction is strong enough, there is no problem even if the camera is forced to cool using a fan or Peltier device.
Is the camera sensitive to fluorescence wavelength?
Light has wavelengths, and we need a camera sensor that can detect the fluorescent wavelengths. Although it depends on the conditions, fluorescence emission is generally a very weak amount of light.
First, we need to make sure that the camera can detect and is sensitive to that fluorescence wavelength.
You can tell whether a camera has a sensitivity characteristic by looking at its spectral sensitivity characteristic diagram.
A camera sensor converts light into a signal with a “dynamic range” (the ratio of the maximum to minimum required amount of charge), which determines the camera’s light detection performance.
Although CCD sensors are still installed in high-end cameras, they are becoming less common due to the rise of CMOS sensors.
In particular, recent CMOS sensors have almost the same performance as CCD sensors in terms of cost, number of pixels, speed, noise, power consumption, etc., so I don’t think you need to worry about that.
CCD sensors only have a global shutter method.
For CMOS sensors, you can choose between global shutter method and rolling shutter method.
If the subject is moving, this difference in shutter method will greatly affect the image quality.
Rolling shutter has poor ability to follow movement. This method sequentially exposes each sensor row at a time, so if the subject moves, the image will be distorted.
On the other hand, global shutter has good ability to follow movement. This is because the sensor is exposed all at once, so there is no difference in exposure time.
However, if you are photographing while the object is still under microscope observation, there is often no problem with the rolling shutter method.
For general fluorescence observation, monochrome cameras are preferred due to their high sensitivity.
Color cameras have lower sensitivity than monochrome cameras. The cause is the Bayer filter.
This filter is necessary to capture the color information of the image, but it only allows light of certain wavelengths to pass through, reducing the amount of incoming light.
Furthermore, the use of an IR cut filter in front of the camera sensor that cuts out infrared light is another factor contributing to the decrease in sensitivity.
Therefore, when analyzing coexisting molecules using multiple fluorescent substances, it is generally necessary to combine light sources and filters according to their respective excitation and fluorescence wavelengths, and to take images with multiple monochrome cameras.
Recently, there is also fluorescence emission in the visible light range, and as long as the amount of fluorescence emission is at the visible light level (a level that can be seen with the naked eye), fluorescence observation is often performed with a single color camera.
You can choose a camera with the number of pixels that suits your purpose.
If you want to shoot with a high pixel count, you tend to choose a camera with a high pixel count, but if you have a high pixel count, the sensor size (number of sensor inches) will generally be larger, making it more likely that vignetting will occur when taking pictures with a microscope. Caution is required.
Therefore, it is necessary to select a camera with the optimal number of pixels that suits the purpose and microscope.
A cooled CCD is not absolutely necessary for fluorescence photography.
There is also fluorescence emission in the visible light range, and if the amount of fluorescence emission is at the visible light level (a level that can be seen with the naked eye), fluorescence observation is often performed with a single color camera.
Although we do not handle cooled CCD cameras, we do have color cameras that emit fluorescent light in the visible light range, and that emit fluorescent light at the visible light level (a level that can be seen with the naked eye).
Please see below for product details.
No special equipment is required when taking microscopic images with a small digital camera.
If you hold it close to the eyepiece, you can take beautiful pictures.
However, it is susceptible to camera shake, so it takes some getting used to.
There are various fixing devices on the market to prevent camera shake.
I’m sure there are specialized equipment, but I’d like to introduce an easier and cheaper way to take pictures.
There is a product called a quick bracket for astronomical telescopes.
You can easily get it online for less than 10,000 yen.
Usually used for astronomical telescopes and field scopes.
In fact, it can be attached to the eyepiece of a microscope using the same attachment method shown in the photo above.
Since it is made for astronomical telescopes, the fixed part is a little large and cannot be attached to all microscopes, but it can be attached to φ30mm eyepieces such as stereo microscopes.
Just use this bracket to align the optical axis and release the shutter to take microscopic photographs.。
If your camera has a zoom function, you can also take a slightly improved version of the overall photo.
It can also be attached to the three-eye part (JIS tube) of a microscope to take pictures.
This requires some tips, so if you are interested, please contact us.
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There are various types of monoculars.
Some have removable eyepiece lenses, while others cannot.
■If the eyepiece lens cannot be removed
When the eyepiece diameter is φ30mm to φ32mm and made of hard material such as resin
You can attach a camera by connecting an adapter lens like the one below to the eyepiece part.。
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可変倍率カメラアダプタレンズ BA-A1835 |
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カメラアダプタレンズ BA-A35 |
■When the eyepiece lens can be removed
When the inner diameter of the straight cylinder after removing the eyepiece is 23.2 mm (JIS standard)
You can connect a C-mount camera by removing the eyepiece and inserting a relay lens in its place as shown below.
A microscope is a device that is used by looking through an eyepiece with the naked human eye.
The premise is that humans can see small objects by enlarging them.
If you want to take and save images of what you see through the microscope, or share the images with other people, you can use a camera.
Our microscopes come in binocular and trinocular types.
| Binocular type | Trinocular type |
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Binocular types have two eyepieces that you look through with your eyes.
The trinocular type has two eyepieces for viewing with the eyes + one camera connection port, for a total of three eyes.
It becomes.
Our microscope camera can be attached to either binocular or trinocular type to take pictures.
If you use a binocular type, you have to remove the eyepiece and replace it with a microscope camera.
If you plan on installing a camera, we recommend the trinocular type.
If it is a trinocular type, you can observe with the binocular eyepieces while the camera is attached to the trinocular part.
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| Example of installation on binoculars | Example of attachment to trinocular part |
As mentioned above, microscopes are originally used to magnify small objects and observe them with the naked eye.
This is the main purpose of the premise.
Attaching the camera to the microscope and taking pictures is the second objective, and it is a rather forced and brute force method.
As a result, the following problems occur.
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～Problem～
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Due to its structure, a microscope has two characteristics that make it difficult to focus on the entire surface when using a camera.
As mentioned above, the main purpose of a microscope is to magnify small objects and observe them with the naked eye.
Shooting with a camera is a brute force method with a secondary purpose.
Therefore, due to its structure, the objective lens of a stereomicroscope is intentionally placed at an angle.
| Objective lens arrangement of stereomicroscope |
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In this way, the objective lens of a stereomicroscope points slightly inward.
This structure is purposely designed to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed with both eyes.
This is the same as attaching the lens to the camera at an angle when using the camera.
Also, the situation where you use a camera and view the image on a monitor is not the same as looking through both eyes.
This is how you see it with one eye.
Therefore, even if the camera is installed directly above the microscope,
The situation is the same as taking a picture by tilting the camera at an angle.
Since the image is shot from an angle, there is also the problem of depth of field, which makes it difficult to focus on the entire image.
Many industrial cameras use elements that are a little smaller than 1/2 inch.
If you try to take a magnification image that is close to what you see when looking through a microscope,
It is necessary to use a camera adapter lens that lowers the magnification, such as 0.45x or 0.37x.
Lenses that reduce this magnification are prone to lens distortion, making it difficult to focus on the entire camera image.
*Recently, high-resolution industrial cameras have come out, and 1-inch elements are being used.
In that case, a 1x (1x) lens can be used, which reduces the effects of distortion.
Please contact us for details.
I actually took a photo.
The photo below was actually taken of a 10 yen coin using a microscope, camera, and 0.45x lens.
The left side is in focus, but the right side is blurry.
When attaching a camera to a microscope for photography, it’s common to encounter situations where the entire screen is not in focus, unlike the clear view observed when using the microscope with the naked eye. This discrepancy can indeed feel disconcerting. However, as mentioned earlier, achieving focus across the entire field of view when using a camera with a microscope is challenging.
However, by focusing on the center of the image while looking at the camera image, the out-of-focus area can be divided into left and right parts.
It is possible to adjust the image to be relatively easy to observe.
Focus on the center of the screen, and the left and right sides are evenly out of focus
The image is that the center of the image is in focus, and the sides are slightly out of focus.
If you adjust the focus position to the center of the screen in this way, you can take relatively clear microscope images.
When taking microscope images, it is preferable that the focus of the naked eye observation and the camera image be perfectly aligned.
However, due to “differences in optical paths” and “variations in manufacturing,” the focus of the eyepiece (naked-eye observation) and camera port (camera observation) often do not match.
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① When observed from the eyepiece ② When observed on a monitor
The focus of both of the above is often not the same. |
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The C-mount eyepiece tube on the microscope side comes in various types from different manufacturers, but as long as it’s a C-mount, any of them should not affect the focusing adjustment.
However, the choice of C-mount eyepiece can affect the field of view. On the C-mount side, the magnification affects the field of view as follows:
– Higher magnification → Narrower field of view
– Lower magnification → Wider field of view
▼Example of changing only the C-mount magnification without changing anything about the microscope body
If you absolutely need to align the focal plane of the C-mount with that of naked eye observation, it’s advisable to choose a C-mount eyepiece with built-in fine adjustment capabilities. For example, with Olympus, you might opt for one that comes with the “Focus LOCK” feature.
Additionally, there are non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) C-mount adapters available for sale, such as the ones listed below.
（Cre：https://www.microscope-net.com/products/c-adapt/ultra-c-mount/）
・顕微鏡にカメラを取付けた場合にピントは全面に合わせにくい。
・画面中央にピントを合わせるように調整すると比較的綺麗な画像が得られる。
・接眼部とモニタの焦点を一致させたい場合は、微調整可能なCマウントを使用する。
The practical field of view of the autofocus digital loupe is almost the same as the NSZ405 stereo microscope with a 0.5x auxiliary lens attached.
(In terms of the total magnification of a stereo microscope, it is 3.5 to 15 times.)
・Set optical zoom to “5.5”
・Set optical zoom to “14”
・Set optical zoom to “14” and digital zoom to “1.7”
*Digital zoom “1.7” is practical range
・Objective lens set to “1.5”
・Set objective lens to “3.0”
In terms of total magnification of a stereo microscope, it is a microscope that covers an area of 3.5x to 15x.
1. What is pretreatment for observing and measuring metal structure?
Pretreatment is required to observe the metallographic structure using a microscope.
Broadly speaking, the following four types of pretreatment are common.
①Sample cutting
A large sample specimen is cut into small pieces using a cutting machine.
②Resin embedding
The cut sample is hardened with resin.
The reasons and purposes for embedding it in resin are as follows.
・Maintenance of sample edge shape
・Holds the shape of the sample so that it does not deform.
・Create a flat shape that is easy to observe
<Representative resins>
·acrylic resin
・Bakelite resin
·Epoxy resin
・Melamine resin
Each resin has different properties and colors, as well as different curing methods.
There are various types such as thermoplastic, thermosetting, natural curing, UV light irradiation curing, and two-component mixture curing.
The sample is placed in a cylindrical case and hardened with resin.
For heat curing, use a heating embedder, and for UV light curing, use UV light.
It may be omitted depending on the observation target.
The surface of the metal sample specimen is polished.
Generally, a grinding machine is used.
There are manual and automatic types of grinding machines, with the former being suitable for experts and the latter for beginners.
The manual type is prone to uneven polishing due to the force applied by hand to hold the sample, making it suitable for experts.
The automatic type, when the sample specimen is fixed to the sample fixing fixture, automatically polishes it, making it less prone to uneven polishing and suitable for beginners.
Rough polishing to precision polishing of the sample specimen is done using waterproof abrasive paper.
Polishing is done in wet conditions (while dripping water) from coarse to fine.
In precision polishing, the sample is finished to a mirror surface using cloth or buff polishing, diamond slurry, alumina powder, etc.
Therefore, it is necessary to change the grit of the waterproof abrasive paper many times.
There are single-layer and double-layer types of grinding machines, with the double-layer type being more expensive but convenient.
Once the mirror surface is achieved, the specimen surface is washed with flowing water.
After washing, it is dried using a dryer or similar equipment.
The polished surface of the sample specimen is immersed in etching solution (corrosive solution) suitable for the material and properties of the sample.
Etching treatment is performed for a duration that corresponds to the concentration of the etching solution and the material and properties of the sample specimen.
Example: For graphite spheroidization, a 3% nitric acid alcohol solution (Nital solution) is used.
After etching, rinse the sample specimen with water to remove the etching solution, then clean with ethyl alcohol or similar solvent before drying with a dryer or similar equipment.
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Graphite spheroidization rate before etching |
Graphite spheroidization rate after etching |
3. Microscopic observation of metal structure
After undergoing the aforementioned pre-treatment processes, the metal structure can finally be observed. The polished mirror surface of properly pre-treated sample specimens is observed under a microscope. By enlarging the structure and adjusting the focus, the metal structure is observed.
At our company, we offer “metal microscopes,” “microscope USB cameras,” and “sets combining metal microscopes and cameras.” Please refer to the following for product details.
However, for advanced measurements such as observing non-metallic inclusions, measuring graphite spheroidization rates, and analyzing grain sizes (ferrite grain size, austenite grain size), specific measurement methods and counting techniques are utilized.
Observing metal structures requires appropriate pre-treatment processes, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, it is recommended to efficiently perform these tasks in a shorter time frame using dedicated software.
This section describes how to clean the lens and filter.
Dust, dirt, dust, dirt, fingerprints, etc. adhere to lenses and filters.
In that case, please follow the steps below to clean it.
～Things to prepare～
・Commercially available lens blower
・Commercially available lens cleaning tissue, paper, or lens cleaning swab
(Things that do not or generate little dust)
・Commercially available lens cleaning liquid or high purity ethanol
There are also products that include all of the above in one set.
Products from KING (Asanuma Shokai Co., Ltd.)
camera cleaning kit
【please note】
You can also use canned air duster instead of a blower.
Some of those canned air dusters emit small water droplets.
Avoid this type when cleaning lenses and filters.
。
～Procedure～
【please note】
If you wipe with dust still attached, it may damage the lens surface or damage the lens surface.
The coating may peel off. Please blow it away enough.
【please note】
You can use tweezers instead, but the paper will tear and the metal will come into direct contact with the lens, damaging the lens surface or peeling off the coating on the lens surface.
Avoid using metal tweezers or the type with sharp tips.
At this time, there are two methods: wiping radially from the center to the periphery, and wiping in a spiral pattern from the center to the periphery. Please use them depending on the direction of the dirt.
【Please note】
Please wipe it gently at this time. If you wipe too hard, the coating on the lens surface may peel off.
【please note】
Please wipe it gently at this time. If you wipe too hard, the coating on the lens surface may peel off.
Shodensha’s low-cost high-speed camera achieves filming at up to 1000 frames per second, all for just around 200,000 yen. We offer both monochrome and color options, both at the same price.
There’s often a misconception that if color is available, monochrome isn’t necessary. However, monochrome cameras have their own advantages. Firstly, since they don’t use RGB, their sensitivity is exceptionally high. They can even capture footage at 800 frames per second under fluorescent lighting (although flickering may occur depending on the type of fluorescent light). Additionally, monochrome footage has smaller file sizes compared to color, allowing for longer recording times.
If you absolutely need to determine the color of the subject, then color is necessary. However, if color isn’t particularly important, monochrome is recommended.
Furthermore, traditional high-speed cameras required storing footage in the camera’s internal memory, which limited recording time. Our new cameras don’t have built-in memory; instead, they use the computer’s memory for recording. This means that the more memory your computer has, the longer you can record. Additionally, we offer optional long-duration recording software, allowing for recording by the minute or hour.
We also offer demo units for lending, so if you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime.
“High-speed cameras are those capable of capturing footage at frame rates exceeding the standard video frame rate (30FPS). In other words, they are cameras used to capture high-speed phenomena. While there isn’t a precise definition, high-speed cameras typically have frame rates of 100FPS or higher. There is a wide variety of manufacturers and models of high-speed cameras available, ranging from high-grade specifications to expensive models costing millions of yen. So, what criteria should you consider when purchasing a high-speed camera?”
When it comes to selecting a high-speed camera, what information is essential? While we’ve discussed frame rates earlier, that’s not the only necessary piece of information.
You’ll also need details such as ‘frame rate (speed),’ ‘resolution,’ ‘recording time,’ and whether the camera is ‘monochrome or color.’
Let’s dive into each of these factors in the following sections.
Selecting a High-Speed Camera: Frame Rate (Speed)
When it comes to high-speed cameras, different manufacturers and models offer various maximum frame rates (FPS) that they can achieve. Generally, as the frame rate increases, so does the price.
For example, if the desired phenomenon to capture requires a higher speed than what the camera can provide, capturing it effectively becomes challenging. On the other hand, if the camera’s frame rate is too high, it becomes overkill and unnecessarily expensive.
So, what frame rate (speed) of a high-speed camera should you choose? It’s crucial to ensure that the camera’s frame rate covers the speed of the high-speed phenomenon you want to capture.
High-speed cameras come in various maximum resolutions (in pixels). Generally, as the maximum resolution increases, so does the price. Additionally, higher resolutions result in larger data sizes, which can lead to shorter recording times.
So, what resolution of a high-speed camera should you choose?
It’s essential to consider what you’ll do with the footage after capturing it. This includes tasks like ‘video storage,’ ‘frame-by-frame playback,’ ‘extracting and saving still images,’ and ‘software analysis and evaluation for motion analysis or fluid dynamics.’
For instance, if you require detailed analysis and evaluation after capturing, you might opt for a higher resolution. Conversely, if the resolution is higher than what you need, it becomes overkill and unnecessarily expensive.
The resolution you need depends on what you plan to do after capturing the footage. It’s crucial to ensure that the required resolution falls within the camera’s maximum resolution. Additionally, if the camera allows for selecting resolution within its maximum resolution, choose the resolution appropriate for your shooting needs.
Selecting the highest resolution can lead to unnecessary data sizes, resulting in slower frame rates (speed) during shooting or shorter recording times.
In reality, the required frame rate (speed) and necessary resolution are closely related and affect the recording time. If you find it challenging to compare different manufacturers and models, it’s recommended to compare and select based on VGA (640×480) resolution.
High-speed cameras are available in monochrome and color options. While there’s often a preference for color, monochrome cameras actually produce cleaner footage. If color information isn’t necessary for analysis, evaluation, or assessment, I recommend choosing a monochrome camera. Monochrome footage not only looks cleaner but also tends to be brighter compared to color footage, resulting in smaller file sizes.
In conclusion, the key information needed when selecting a high-speed camera includes ‘frame rate (speed),’ ‘resolution,’ ‘recording time,’ and ‘monochrome or color.’ These four factors are closely related and essential when choosing a high-speed camera. Additionally, factors such as lighting, lens selection based on shooting distance and magnification, and choosing image recording media and methods also play crucial roles.
If you encounter any difficulties in selecting a high-speed camera or related equipment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. When doing so, please provide the following information:
– What is the subject of the shooting?
– How large is the subject?
– How fast is the subject moving?
– What is the distance from the subject to the lens?
– How long of a recording time is needed?
– Monochrome or color?
– What do you want to do after capturing the footage?
Standard software cannot handle long-duration recording.
High-speed camera footage contains a high number of frames, resulting in significant data volume. Additionally, fast data writing speed is required.
In terms of capacity, it is necessary to write directly to hard disks or SSDs to keep up. Furthermore, considering writing speed, a high-performance PC combined with an SSD is required. However, depending on the SSD product, if about half of the capacity is used, the writing time may drop significantly, so it’s important to carefully select the components.
For long-duration recording, it’s essential to consider both the software and hardware aspects.
In our company, we provide a set consisting of a high-performance PC with SSD, camera, and custom recording software, verified for operation. (Recording time varies depending on SSD capacity, high-speed camera speed, and resolution.)
However, when combining a high-speed camera (CHU130EX) with an SSD-equipped high-performance PC and long-duration recording software, the cost will be approximately 1.2 to 1.3 million yen.
Khi xem xét về việc ghi video trong thời gian dài bằng camera tốc độ cao, có hoặc không có bộ đệm trên máy ảnh sẽ quyết định nhiều.
camera tốc độ cao CHU130-EX của Matsuden có bộ nhớ ghi video tích hợp dung lượng 2GB.
Trong trường hợp camera tốc độ cao không có bộ đệm, hình ảnh từ máy ảnh sẽ được ghi trực tiếp vào RAM (Bộ nhớ) của PC, và sau đó sẽ được lưu trữ trên HDD hoặc ổ SSD.
Tóm lại, khả năng ghi video trong thời gian dài phụ thuộc vào sự cân bằng giữa dung lượng RAM của máy tính và tốc độ ghi của ổ HDD.
Nếu tốc độ ghi vào HDD chậm, bộ nhớ có thể bị tràn.
Đối với các giải pháp, bạn có thể:
– Tăng dung lượng RAM trên máy tính.
– Sử dụng ổ SSD thay vì HDD.
– Để ý rằng, việc thử nghiệm cùng với máy tính là cần thiết để đánh giá thực tế.
Thông tin thêm, về việc ghi video với độ phân giải 130 vạn điểm ảnh (1280×1024) trong 15 phút sẽ tạo ra một tập tin có dung lượng 120GB.
When recording for extended periods like 24 hours, using a hard disk recorder with a video microscope makes it straightforward to achieve long-duration recordings.
For example, with a 2TB (terabyte) hard disk, you can record for more than 10 days continuously.
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| The terminals compatible with attaching to the hard disk include BNC connectors as well. |
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It is also possible to convert the video terminal to USB and directly save the video to a PC. In this case, as a guideline, the file size will be approximately 1MB per second for VGA (640×480) resolution. Therefore, you will need to prepare an HDD or SSD with a capacity that accommodates the required recording time. We can also assist you with recommendations for suitable hard drives. Please feel free to contact our technical support for assistance. |
What is vignetting?
A black tunnel-like area that occurs when a lens that is incompatible with the camera’s image sensor is used.
It will look like you are looking through a tunnel.
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Black areas (vignetting) can be seen at the four corners of the screen. |
Cause of vignetting
●If the camera sensor size is larger than the compatible camera sensor inch of the lens
●For borescopes
The wider the sensor size of the camera connected to the borescope, the wider the vignetting area.
On the other hand, the image is closer to what you would see directly through a borescope.
●For microscopes
Usually, microscope cameras are made to avoid vignetting (shadows at the four corners).
We design with a margin to avoid vignetting, but the degree of vignetting varies depending on the manufacturer.
Python is a programming language known for its simplicity, rich libraries, cross-platform compatibility, open-source nature, and versatility. Here are some key features:
1. Simple Syntax: Python’s syntax is straightforward and easy to read, making it accessible even to programming beginners.
2. Rich Libraries: Python boasts a vast array of libraries that enable easy execution of various tasks across different domains.
3. Cross-Platform: Python runs on various platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring broad compatibility.
4. Open Source: Python is open-source and freely available for anyone to use, contributing to its widespread adoption.
5. Versatile Use: Python is suitable for a wide range of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, automation, and game development.
Given these characteristics, Python is widely used by both beginners and professionals for various development purposes.
To utilize our UVC camera and capture video using Python, you can execute the following code:
When it comes to recording long-duration videos lasting several hours with a high-definition camera, there are primarily two approaches: using a computer (PC) and not using a computer.
Using a computer allows direct recording of videos onto the PC’s storage, facilitating extended recording sessions. For details on how to utilize a computer for this purpose, please refer to the following page.
If you’re not using a PC, another option is to use our HDMI recorder with an external HDD connected to it.
You can achieve long-duration recording by connecting a high-capacity external HDD (up to 1TB) instead of a USB flash drive.
Please note that externally powered HDDs are required as bus-powered external HDDs will not function properly.
Moreover, ensure that the HDD is formatted in NTFS format for recording long videos as FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB per file. exFAT format is not supported for this purpose.
■ The Genesis of Linux
Linux, unlike Windows, comes in various distributions.
Linux distributions can be developed and distributed freely by anyone, allowing individuals, small groups, and even corporations to provide distributions tailored for different hardware and purposes.
Popular distributions for personal computers and servers include “Debian GNU/Linux,” “Ubuntu,” “CentOS,” “Raspbian,” and “Fedora.”
However, not all applications are compatible with every distribution.
Below, we outline the process of using our cameras with Linux.
■ Using Industrial UVC Cameras
UVC cameras are compatible with many distributions.
Many Linux distributions already have UVC camera drivers built-in.
Additionally, the OpenCV image processing library supports UVC cameras, making it much easier to program compared to industrial USB3 Vision / GigE Vision cameras.
Traditionally, UVC cameras have been associated with built-in lenses, mass production, and low-cost sales akin to webcams. However, our company offers cameras with external terminals (trigger terminals) and interchangeable C-mount lenses.
At our company, we handle two main types of UVC cameras.
The first type is the DN series.
DN series cameras are considered higher-end compared to typical UVC cameras. There are two main points that distinguish them:
The first point is the presence of trigger terminals. While UVC cameras with trigger terminals are rare, they are common in industrial USB cameras. This feature was added to meet the demand for using UVC cameras in industrial settings.
The second point is the inclusion of a tool program that remembers camera settings such as white balance. UVC cameras typically have automatic brightness and color adjustment settings, which cannot be manually adjusted. However, with the tool program included with DN series cameras, adjustments can be made and saved.
If experiencing this issue on a 64-bit version of Windows, try the following steps with an account that has administrative privileges:
Download the file from the following link: VC_redist.x64.exe.
Run the downloaded VC_redist.x64.exe file. Check “I agree” on the initial screen and click “Install.” No need to check “Send feedback.” Finally, click “Finish” to exit.
Right-click on the “Windows” icon at the bottom left of the Windows screen, then click on “Command Prompt (Administrator).” For Windows 7, navigate to “All Programs” > “Accessories” > right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
Click “Yes” if prompted by the User Account Control.
In the black window that appears, type the following line and press Enter to execute:
regsvr32 netccam64.ax
After seeing the confirmation message “DllRegisterServer in netccam64.ax succeeded,” click “OK,” and then close the black window.
Restart your computer.
If the driver setup was performed without administrative privileges, the DirectShow source filter may not be enabled.
To enable the DirectShow source filter after setting up the driver without administrative privileges, follow these steps:
1) Sign in again with an account that has administrative privileges.
2) Connect the camera and wait for the driver to be installed. It’s crucial to connect the camera at least once with an account that has administrative privileges after setting up the driver.
3) Restart Windows.
4) After restarting, sign in again with an account that has administrative privileges. At this point, the DirectShow source filter should be enabled.
After following these steps, the DirectShow source filter should be available even with an account that doesn’t have administrative privileges.
When the colors observed through the microscope do not match the colors in the camera image, white balance correction is necessary. However, sometimes the correction using the One Push button may not produce satisfactory results, especially when the light source of the microscope has a tint of orange or yellow.
This discrepancy occurs because the One Push button attempts to correct the color temperature of the light source to white, sometimes excessively. In such cases, manual correction is required to adjust the colors accurately.
Please follow the steps below to adjust the colors:
1) Reset all settings of the camera to default.
2) Set up the microscope with only the light source or a prepared slide without any specimen. Adjust the brightness on the microscope to ensure it’s not overexposed.
3) Click the One Push button in the camera properties. This will make the camera image appear white.
4) Manually adjust the Red/Blue/Green values in the camera properties to match the colors observed through the microscope as closely as possible.
Utilizing an external trigger to capture 6 frames per second with the DN3R-500BU, a USB 3.0 monochrome camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels, poses no issues whatsoever. Our USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cameras share common trigger/strobe specifications. Please refer to the documentation and the FAQ below for assistance when using an external trigger.
The voltage specification for the external trigger is 3.3V to 24V, with many customers typically using 5V. Please ensure that the input pulse width is set to 5.1μs or greater.
The delay for the external trigger, referring to the time between the camera receiving the trigger and the start of exposure, is typically in the range of a few microseconds (μs). If intentional delay is desired, it can be achieved by setting the Trigger Delay using the SDK.
When viewing the camera from the rear, Pin1 is located on the left side, and Pin8 on the right side. Please refer to the attached manual for details. When connecting the short wire included with the camera, it will be connected as follows: Pin1 (white, black, red, orange, yellow, black, white, black) to Pin8. For using an external trigger, utilize Pin1 and Pin2.
The term “dynamic range” refers to the value representing the range of white to black that a single pixel can express. In the case of 8 bits, there are 256 levels, allowing a single pixel to express 256 shades of gray. With 12 bits, a single pixel can represent 4096 levels, enabling finer gray-scale representation, albeit with increased data volume. The dynamic range depends on the specifications of the image sensor being used, rather than the software or PC.
Now, the USB 3.0 2-megapixel monochrome camera (DN3RG-200BU) defaults to sending 8-bit data. Therefore, the 47fps listed on the HP website pertains to the fps at 8 bits. For the DN3RG-200BU, both 8-bit (default) and 10-bit (transferred as 16-bit) modes achieve 47fps.
Dynamic range varies depending on the model. The mention of transferring as 16-bit is due to the necessity of transferring images in either 8-bit or 16-bit format, where, despite technically having a 10-bit dynamic range, 6 bits are allocated to color, effectively resulting in a practical dynamic range of 10 bits.
The cameras operating in either 8-bit or 10-bit mode include:
– DN3G-30BU (USB3.0, 300,000-pixel monochrome)
– DN3RG-130BU (USB3.0, 1.3-megapixel monochrome)
– DN3RG-200BU (USB3.0, 2-megapixel monochrome)
The cameras operating in either 8-bit or 12-bit mode include:
– DN3R-500BU (USB3.0, 5-megapixel monochrome)
– DN3R-1000BU (USB3.0, 10-megapixel monochrome)
All USB2.0 cameras operate solely in 8-bit mode.
The determination is made based on the lBufferSize parameter passed to the callback function.
long CALLBACK CallbackFunc(BYTE * pBuffer, long lBufferSize,PVOID pContext )
When lBufferSize == 0, it indicates a BadFrame.
When lBufferSize != 0, it indicates a GoodFrame.
Judgment should not rely on pBuffer.
pBuffer == NULL signifies that memory for the frame is not allocated. While it will not be NULL during a GoodFrame, its value during a BadFrame is indeterminate.
To ensure that the callback is invoked even during BadFrame occurrences, the following code must be executed at the appropriate initialization stage:
ICubeSDK_SetCamParameter( ｎ, REG_CALLBACK_BR_FRAMES, ON ); //ｎ is Camera code
The ON parameter in the last argument enables invoking the callback during BadFrame occurrences. When set to OFF, the callback is only triggered during GoodFrame occurrences.
When using our DN series camera with LabView, it is necessary to utilize NI-IMAQ. If you do not have NI-IMAQ available, we kindly request that you acquire it.
Furthermore, it is necessary to switch the camera to 3Vision mode. Please note that when provided by us, it is delivered in SDK mode.
Please refer to the following steps for switching modes.
