Camera or microscope? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Jane
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2016, 09:24:52 pm
content: Can anyone check this video?A guy there repairs FPC and for a fine pitch alignment against LCD he uses a camera (or microscope?? ).I am surprised how good / clear picture he has. Can anyone let me know what kind of camera he might use? Is that a camera or a microscope? CCD?CCTV?Thank you for your feedbacks

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2016, 10:47:33 pm
content: The cameras seem to be special cameras for close up views. Technically this is likely a simple CCTV camera with a slighly non standard lens, or possibly even just more normal lense with extension tube to get a closer focuss.They key to getting good close up pictures is to have a stable mechanical setup and penty of light, so you can use a relatively small apperture and small, but high pixel density chip. So in principle this does not have to be an expensive camera, as small aperature and small chip is what you get from cheap cam (e.g. phone, USB microscope, webcam). So no expensive large lense or large sensor is needed.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2016, 10:57:06 pm
content: Quote from: Jane on January 06, 2016, 09:24:52 pmI'm surprised haw awful/blurry the picture is. Resolutions should be 640x480 or even less. Actually it looks like cameras have analog video output with BNC connector.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2016, 11:05:09 pm
content: It looks that camera has 75 Ohm BNC connector feeding analog video out directly to monitor. Typical CCTV camera with high magnification lenses. Setup works, but is not great in terms of image quality.

author: Jane
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2016, 05:33:45 pm
content: Thanks for your feedback. I work on a similar project and would be happy if I had a picture like that in that video. I boughthttp://www.ebay.com/itm/P4PM-8-LED-1000X-USB-Digital-Microscope-Adjustable-Stand-Vista-Win7-Mac-/400986542300?hash=item5d5ca910dc(I think it is a kind of a digital camera, isn't it?)But the resolution does not seem to be as good as that in the video.Can anyone explain advantages of CCTV camera versus a digital camera?How to choose proper lenses( sensor) ?Or can anyone help me to choose a camera that could have a such or better resolution as that in the video?Thank you.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2016, 07:28:21 pm
content: Quote from: Jane on January 07, 2016, 05:33:45 pmRater some kind of digital crap (like at least 10 years old cheap webcam).QuoteDisadvantages only. The only advantage would be compatibility with old displays and recorders with analog inputs.

author: Jane
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2016, 08:06:14 pm
content: QuoteProbably yes. But what kind of a good digital camera to buy? Can you advise?

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2016, 08:19:49 pm
content: The CCTV cameras have an advantage in speed - there is usually less delay in the picture. Depending on the monitor /TV used the delay can be very short. USB and similar cameras usually have some delay - this can be a problem for adjustments. The delay can get rather large with high resolution over USB as compression or reduced frame rate may be needed. So even if camera might give full HD resolution, you might end up using VGA or less to get an acceptable speed.The limitation on CCTV is the resolution.However at high magnification there is a natural limit on how much resolution is possible, especially if a depth of field is needed. High resolution would require a large aperture and thus very accurate focussing and thus constant adjustments - so you have to compromize. So the limitied resolution might not be the problem at high magnification.The right camera depends on what you need - for optical feedback when moving things speed is often more important than resolution. Still pictures can use higher resolution and usually can tolerate tighter focus. So it really depends on the application. Also a lense with adjustable aperture is a good idea to adjust the depth of field - quite often rather small apertures (e.g. F/22 on a DSLR) is used despite of allready reducing the resolution this way.

author: Jane
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2016, 09:15:03 pm
content: I need a good resolution camera for a similar project as that in the video link.It means I need a camera that will showa pitch alignment of FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit )against LCD.The pitch can be as small as 0.2mm.Can you suggest such camera?

author: ADC-1995
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2016, 05:33:46 am
content: Here is a very similar machine in the video. The cameras labels are not clearly visible from the angle of the images. The third image is a nice close up of the cameras, but no labeling is offered.http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Accuracy-Pulse-Hot-Press-Machine-flex_60378696380/showimage.htmlHere is another camera from the website and appear to have a whole series of these types of cameras available, which are BNC with HD performance. They claim 1/2 inch (lens opening) which would indicate a larger sensor versus the 1/3 standard. The outer housing is different from the 'pulse press', likely for a PTZ replacement.http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/PV8433-H2D-1-2-8-inch_60246359980.html?spm=a2700.7724838.5.1.CslwWQ&s=p