Imaging Resource Guide

Whether your application is in machine vision, the life sciences, security, or traffic solutions, understanding the fundamentals of imaging technology significantly eases the development and deployment of sophisticated imaging systems. That’s why we’re sharing our knowledge and insights to help you specify an imaging system while maximizing performance and minimizing cost.

Section 1: Getting Started

• Section 1.1: 11 Best Practices for Better Imaging
• Section 1.2: 6 Fundamental Parameters of an Imaging System
• Section 1.3: Understanding Focal Length and Field of View

Section 2: Understanding Lens Specifications

• Section 2.1: Resolution
• Section 2.2: Object Space Resolution
• Section 2.3: Contrast
• Section 2.4: f/# (Lens Iris/Aperture Setting)
• Section 2.5: Limitations on Resolution and Contrast: The Airy Disk
• Section 2.6: Lens Performance Curves

Section 3: Understanding Lens Design Limitations

• Section 3.1: Diffraction Limit
• Section 3.2: Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and MTF curves
• Section 3.3: Wavelength Effects on Performance

Section 4: Real World Performance

• Section 4.1: From Lens to Sensor: Limitations on Collecting Information
• Section 4.2: Sensor Relative Illumination, Roll Off and Vignetting
• Section 4.3: Pixel Sizes and Optics
• Section 4.4: Depth of Field and Depth of Focus
• Section 4.5: Distortion

Section 5: Telecentricity and Perspective Errors

• Section 5.1: The Advantages of Telecentricity
• Section 5.2: Distortion and the Telecentricity Specification
• Section 5.3: Telecentric Lens Size Control
• Section 5.4: Telecentric Design Topics

Section 6: Advanced Design Concepts

• Section 6.1: Aberrational Balancing of MTF in Lens Design
• Section 6.2: How Aberrations Affect Machine Vision Lenses

Section 7: Understanding Hardware

• Section 7.1: Lens Spacers, Shims and Focal Length Extenders
• Section 7.2: Ruggedization of Imaging Lenses
• Section 7.3: Resolution and Contrast Comparison
• Section 7.4: Imaging Lens Selection Guide 
• Section 7.5: How to Choose a Variable Magnification Lens
• Section 7.6: How to Choose a Fixed Magnification Lens
• Section 7.7: Lens Selection Based on Resolution - Advanced

Section 8: Liquid Lenses

• Section 8.1: Introduction to Liquid Lenses

Section 9: Filter Technology

• Section 9.1: Filtering in Machine Vision

Section 10:Using Infinity Corrected Objectives

• Section 10.1: Understanding Microscopes and Objectives
• Section 10.2: Fluorophores and Optical Filters for Fluorescence Microscopy

Section 11: Cameras

• Section 11.1: Camera Types and Interfaces

Section 12: Illumination

• Section 12.1: Choose the Correct Illumination
• Section 12.2: In-line Illumination Considerations
• Section 12.3: Using Structured Illumination
• Section 12.4: Telecentric Illumination: Why You Need It in Machine Vision Applications

Section 13: Testing and Targets

• Section 13.1: Types of Targets