Thermal Infrared Camera - Photon - FAQs

1. Can lenses be interchanged on the Photon? What if I want to use a different lens? Will FLIR calibrate my lens with a Photon?

We advise against customers changing Photon lenses without first understanding the implications and consequences. Each Photon is calibrated with its associated lens at the factory. The calibration data is stored in camera memory, but there is only enough memory to support a single lens. It is physically possible to change lenses, however, if a different lens is installed, the original calibration is no longer valid. If a Photon lens is changed without recalibrating the camera, it will work but the image performance will likely be degraded. In addition, several of the available lenses use different adapters to attach to the Photon camera body, so changing lenses often requires a different lens mount. Use of a third-party lens would require a custom lens mount, as well as knowledge of the back working distance to ensure lens focus from infinity down to the minimum distance capable with the lens focus system. The design of lens mounts is critical, as a poorly designed mount may introduce unacceptable image artifacts. As a result, FLIR cannot be responsible for the performance of third-party optics used with Photon cameras, nor can FLIR provide optical design information or support for other than the existing Photon lens mounts. Finally, changing lenses can only be done by disassembling the Photon, and the warranty will be voided if this done by a customer.

For qualified customers that furnish their own optics for use with Photon cores, FLIR sells a Windows(TM) application program called Alt Lens Cal. This software allows users to perform a supplementary calibration of the camera with a lens. This field-calibration process requires the use of at least one blackbody source (a highly uniform, controllable temperature reference) that has an area greater than the diameter of the front of the lens. It also requires a customer-furnished PC, which should be dedicated to this task. The calibration routine calculates gain terms on a per-pixel basis with the customer-supplied lens attached to the Photon core, and stores the customer-performed calibration in non-volatile camera memory. The original factory calibration coefficients are first uploaded from the camera and stored into a file on the PC, then the new calibration data is downloaded and stored directly into the camera. Multiple calibration files can be stored on the host computer. The original factory calibration file can be restored if necessary, and the customer can actually build a library of lens calibration files for a Photon camera.

The current version of ALC software is part number 110-0106-72, and supports all versions of Photon cameras delivered beginning in 2008. Contact FLIR for ALC software for Photon cameras delivered prior to 2008.

2. I have lost / can’t find / don’t remember receiving the Photon camera control software / User’s Guide. How can I get a copy?

Photon cameras are delivered with instructions that provide a link to the Photon camera control software (GUI). The software can be downloaded at www.corebyindigo.com/service/softwareupdates.cfm. The User’s Guide is also available as a download, at www.corebyindigo.com/service/currentmanuals.cfm.

3. What is needed in order to create my own application to control and/or acquire digital data using Photon?

The SDK enables camera control using one of several programming languages, including VB6, VB.net, C#, and C++ (MFC). Code examples are included to help illustrate how some of the camera control functions can be used.

The Photon OEM GUI (refer to http://www.corebyindigo.com/service/softwareupdates.cfm) is an example of an application created using the Photon SDK.

4. As for Photon software, what does FLIR offer and what are the capabilities?

Many customers use the Photon Graphical User Interface (GUI). The GUI is a PC program that enables remote command and control of the most commonly used Photon functions and features through an RS-232 serial interface to the camera. The GUI is available as a free download on the Software Updates page. A Photon is not required in order to run the GUI and view its capabilities.

5. Can any of it run on a Mac?

Our software is designed to run on a PC. It might be possible to run on a Mac in a PC-emulation mode, but we have not attempted this. A USB to RS-232 converter would be required, since Macs do not have RS-232 ports.

6. Is the Photon SDK necessary?

The Photon SDK is only necessary for customers that want to create a custom control interface to the camera. The Photon GUI is an example of a control interface, it was created with the SDK. Most customers operate Photon in an autonomous mode, that is, power in and video out only. The Photon GUI is used by many other customers for controlling the camera features and functions, as well as to save camera setup preferences. Also refer to FAQ #42.

7. Does Photon, along with certain software, allow for thermography and temperature characterization?

No, there is no inherent thermography capability in the standard Photon camera itself. Photon was designed principally as a thermal imaging camera.

8. If a lens-less camera core is purchased, how can it be calibrated with a lens?

For qualified customers that furnish their own optics for use with Photon cores, FLIR sells a WindowsTM application program called Alt Lens Cal. This software allows users to perform a supplementary calibration of the camera with a lens. This field-calibration process requires the use of at least one blackbody source (a highly uniform, controllable temperature reference) that has an area greater than the diameter of the front of the lens. It also requires a customer-furnished PC, which should be dedicated to this task.

The Alt Lens calibration routine calculates gain terms on a per-pixel basis with the customer-supplied lens attached to the Photon core, and stores the customer-performed calibration in non-volatile camera memory. The original factory calibration coefficients are first uploaded from the camera and stored into a file on the PC, then the new calibration data is downloaded and stored directly into the camera. Multiple calibration files can be stored on the host computer. The original factory calibration file can be restored if necessary, and the user can actually build a library of lens calibration files for a Photon camera.

The current version of ALC software is part number 110-0106-72, and supports all versions of Photon cameras delivered beginning in 2008. Contact FLIR for ALC software for Photon cameras delivered prior to 2008.

9. Is there Linux support for Photon?

The Photon embedded SDK contains ‘C’ source code to compile in other operating systems such as Linux. There is a basic example in the SDK that would work in the Linux environment. The example contains the commands needed for a customer to write their own Photon control application. The Photon SDK part number is 110-0102-46.