-
(Obtained) Bxxx, Txxx, Axxx or SCxxx FlashFS needed for wide angle lens project
Posted by Fraser on 13 Apr, 2018 17:04 -
I purchased a FLIR T197306 4mm wide angle lens for use with my thermal cameras, but mainly for my E40(E60+). The price was right and I already knew that the Exx range was not listed in the supported cameras for this lens. Whilst puzzling at the time, because the correct lens mount is present, I now understand the reason for this.
The lens has arrived and I attached it to the E40 camera supplemental lens mount with ease. Now this lens provides electrical contacts that mate with some models of FLIR thermal camera. I believe that these connections provide the host camera with lens ID information, temperature and possibly even calibration correction data. The Exx range do not support these connections to the lens and the lens type is selected from a drop down menu. There are only two choices, 45 Degrees and 15 Degrees.
The supplemental lenses normally used with the Exx series cameras are non inverting Afocal types that only require the Exx camera to apply calibration correction. No other changes are needed. The T197306 is an INVERTING wide angle Afocal lens. When attached to its intended host camera, the camera firmware identifies the lens type via the contacts that I previously mentioned. The firmware then applies image inversion during the image processing stages in order to provide a non inverted image to the user and file system. On the Exx series, this inverting function is not present, or at least, not activated due to the lack of the required communications contacts
The T197306 works perfectly with the Exx series in all respects except the image inversion. I shall investigate whether I can invoke the firmware image inversion process to correct this issue when using this lens with my camera.
This turn of events was unexpected but in some ways forewarned by the absence of the Exx series cameras from the compatibility list. I suspected this was due to the absence of the required calibration correction option or physical loading on the cameras lens mount by this relatively long supplemental lens. I was wrong. Nowhere does FLIR advise that this lens is an inverting type so there really was no way to predict this issue with the lens when mounted on an Exx host.
I now need to take a look at the firmware files that come with the cameras that do support this lens. With that in mind, I am asking here if any kind souls who own a Bxxx, Txxx, Axxx, SCxxx camera will please provide me with the FlashFS folder contents so that I may look for any files or settings associated with image inversion.
My sincerest thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to share such files with me. I shall not share the files or camera serial number with anyone else.
Fraser
-
The functionality is likely done in the pre-compiled libraries automatically, or even lower in hardware.
There is no mention of image inversion or lens detection in my T440bx's FlashFS.
Also, the interface only provides realtime data as far as I know, no calibration is stored on the lens itself. That comes with its own per-camera calibration file for each temperature range and lens combination. -
5 °C difference. Hadn‘t expect that much.
-
Hi Fraser
I have the flashFS files for all of the requested cameras, so I will send them over on Monday. -
Hi Chanc3,
Many thanks. You are a Gent
Fraser -
You can keep the E60+ upside down... ops yeah it was a bad one sorry.
Have you tried in the service menu there is an "add lens" option, maybe you can select this inverting lens there who knows...
99% it will not work but in the meanwhile worth a try.
I have the feeling it is just a matter of time, you will get that lens working.
-
Spirit532,
Many thanks. I will still do some digging though
The invert function is usually nothing more than a command to the image processing stage and is quite common on industrial cameras. Even the TAU has this firmware function As to where the responsible hook resides in the firmware..... that is the challenge
Looking for a solution will keep me out of mischief and away from eBay anyway
Thanks again
Fraser
-
Zucca,
Thanks for reminding me. I knew I had seen something about a custom lens or "add lens" somewhere. The custom lens option was on another camera I think, but I will investigate the "add lens" option. It may be associated with the custom calibration tables that FLIR produce when marrying a lens to a camera. No harm in looking though
Best Wishes
Fraser
-
Railrun,
There will be transmission losses in a supplementary lens system. My Inframetrics 3X telescopes have a transmission figure of around 85%. The worst is a Inframetrics right angle microscope lens that has a transmission figure of only 48% ! Much depends upon the number of Germanium lens elements used and their size. The FLIR wide angle 4mm lens uses three lens elements within its barrel. That is three lumps of less than perfect transmission coated Germanium in the flight path of the thermal energy. I shoukd also state that the lens was fresh out of the couriers van and was very cold when tested. That may, it may not influence its performance.
This is a down side to using supplementary lenses and why some cameras, like the latest Exx series, have removeable lens blocks. Such keeps the transmission losses to a minimum. Such is not always possible or desirable though, especially. When working with internal motorised focus lenses or sealed cameras.
Sadly, as is often the case in this World, you get nothing for nothing
I bet you are glad you did not win this lens now ? For me it is no issue as I can still use this lens, and it is nice quality.
Fraser
-
Every cent I save I can spend on other “toys“.
I‘m already a happy owner of this 2 lenses.
-
-
I now have the required firmware images for some investigation. As Spirit532 has stated, The 'switch' may be buried in a compiled software element, but there is no harm in digging into some of the scientific cameras firmwares to see if they have the invert function accessible to the user. Scientific camera models often contain more user configuration options than PM or BS cameras. It will be interesting to take a look anyway
Fraser -
I want to share my discovery, I use a flir b 300, with a temperature measurement range of -20 +120. But when you connect a wide-angle lens FLIR T197306 , the temperature measurement range of 0 +300, and +200 +1200 degrees Celsius automatically appears in the menu.
-
FLIR T197306
-
From what I understand, when you buy a FLIR camera with a supplemental lens as part of the same order, FLIR put the Camera through calibration with the additional lens attached in order to achieve the stated calibration accuracy. The camera automatically identifies the lens on some cameras and auto selects the ranges that were used when FLIR carried out the calibration at the factory. If a camera is purchased without the supplemental lenses I presume that the lens is recognised but maybe a generic calibration table is present in the camera, so possibly slightly less accurate measurements result. The temperature ranges available with the particular type if lens may also have a default setting. On the Exx series camera that still contain the service menu, it is possible to change the settings for supplemental lenses and carry out the calibration routine.
The 9mm wide angle lens supplemental lens is designed to be used to view the interior of high energy electrical cabinets via a dedicated LWIR inspection window. It would be unusual to see sub zero temperatures in such a scenario so I can understand the ranges that you are seeing on your camera being the default for such a lens.
I saw one of these 9mm lenses for a very good price on eBay recently. I sold mine a while ago to someone
who could use it with their camera. My Exx cannot apply the required image inversion that this lens requires.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this very interesting lens
Fraser