cheapest camera for FireWire

[thaiski]

Hello Bruce
Thank you for help. I do have license for:
Vision 8.2.1, 8.2, 8.0
Vision Assistant 8.2.1, 8.2, 8.0
Vision Builder for Automated Inspection 3.5
Vision Acquisition 8.5.1, 8.5, 3.1
Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Developer's Toolkit 3.5
Vision Assistant 8.5
Vision Runtime 8.5
Vision 8.5
In the readme file from National Instruments Vision 8.2.1 Acquisition Software I have found information: "The NI Vision 8.2.1 Acquisition Software CD contains NI-IMAQ 3.7, NI-IMAQdx 3.0, and NI-IMAQ I/O 2.0.1. Installing these programs may remove previous versions of NI-IMAQ, NI-IMAQdx, NI-IMAQ for IEEE 1394 Cameras, NI-IMAQ I/O, and Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) that are currently installed."
Does the "Vision Acquisition 8.5.1, 8.5, 3.1" contain "NI-IMAQ 3.7, NI-IMAQdx 3.0, and NI-IMAQ I/O 2.0.1" ?? Maybe I just should to install that soft ? 🙂
Thank you for help

[BruceAmmons]

I would think that Vision Acquisition 8.5 would have everything you need.  It should include the three different drivers you listed.  You should be able to use that license to activate the drivers.

Bruce

[thaiski]

You are right Bruce. I do have that soft on the CD.
Thank you for help

[muks]

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The bayer filter really wrecks havok on the image quality in low light situations. The Color Checker image is illuminated by a lamp sitting 4 inches away from the color checker (hence, best case scenario). In addition, very high light situations (full sunlight) seem to not go well either (I work on a robotics team, and we use a pair of Neutral Density filters totaling +6 to decrease the incoming light).

The only other Firewire cameras I can find go for a minumum of $400, and basically have the same image sensor as this one. I'm not saying the image quality is great (It is, basically, a webcam), I'm saying it's cheap and it's a great way to get started (or play around with) digital camera control and capture inside of Labview.   

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Nice  info thanx

[muks]

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I agree that this camera is a good starter.  I would never use it for any kind of analysis, but it useful for learning how to use a firewire camera.  It also teaches you some of the pitfalls of using a color camera - color balancing, Bayer filters, etc.

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Bruce which one do you think  is the best cost effective camera  ? considering i dont want to measure  in the range of microns

[BruceAmmons]

I would pick a grayscale camera if you can use it.  Only use color if it is absolutely necessary.  Most measurement work great in grayscale.

I'm not so good at picking specific cameras.  The "best" camera for the job depends so much on budget, resolution, and field of view that it is impossible to define a single "best" camera.

What I always do is call Graftek at (800) 441-2118 and talk to Robert.  He knows all the hardware they sell quite well, and can help you pick out a camera, lens, and lighting in a single call.

Bruce

[thaiski]

Music2131
Did you buy only camera or power supply as well ?
Thank you for help
TH

[music2131]

Just the camera. It takes anything from 8 - 30 volts, and that's only necessary if you're using a 4 pin firewire connection (like a laptop, connecting it to a desktop will power the camera through the firewire connection). Even then, I've been able to find AC adapters lying around at home that fit the plug, and have the necessary voltage.