When a set up takes a while to set up and you’re only filming for a fraction of a second, why would you want to use auto-exposure? Well, even in a fraction of a second, the lighting requirements might change quite dramatically. Consider filming an airbag deploying (why are dashboards always black and airbags always…
How to optimise strobing lights, so only they’re only seen by required cameras
When two cameras are looking at the same subject from opposite directions, and require different lighting (as one camera would be looking straight at the opposing lights), if camera A and strobing light A are out of sync with camera B and light B, each would only benefit from its own light source, and not…
Is it a liquid? Is it a solid? – A look at non-Newtonian fluid behaviour
A non-newtonian fluid is one that behaves as a solid when too much force is applied – see wikipedia for more information. The fluid we are using is 50% water and 50% cornflour. It can be stirred quite happily, and is the texture of runny honey when not stirred too vigorously. But when hit it…
LED Lighting – the cool solution for high speed imaging
High speed imaging requires a short shutter speed, and therefore a lot of light. Traditional tungsten lighting produces high quantities of heat, which can cause tremendous problems. LED lighting offers significant benefits over tungsten lights, not only as they output negligible heat, but also: White LED lights are daylight coloured so can be mixed with…
Specifying a high speed camera for a microscope
Most high speed cameras can be fitted to a microscope with the use of a C-mount adapter, but what makes some cameras more suitable than others? Firstly, the physical size/ shape. Does the camera fit without binding on the body of the microscope, and is it small enough to be supported just by the C-mount without…