Publication details
RGB radiometry with ordinary cameras as a research opportunity for everybody
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Many digital cameras are able to store really raw A/D data from pixels of their CCD or CMOS matrix. If a pixel is far from being saturated, count minus the noise level is proportional to number of photons absorbed. Cameras with really raw data are scientific instruments, provided they store true exposure settings as well. A perfect tool for converting raw data from dozens of proprietary formats to standard *.pgm files exists: "dcraw"; it gives exposure information too. Our contribution is an additional programme, raw2lum, which, using dcraw pgm, provides all possible kinds of radiometric output, including photometric ones (related to photopic spectral sensitivity of human eye). Being able to quantify and visualise luminances easily is an interesting possibility for young people. Light, natural and artificially produced, is so important part of our lives - the latter being not for free. Understanding to many metrics of it and to real amounts we need physiologically is an entrance to physics of everyday and to sustainable use of electricity. Results from indoors, urbanised and natural sites, day and night ones, using various cameras will be shown, some of them achieved by students this year, or even during the very lecture. |
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