IDS GigE IP65 / IP67 Machine Vision Monochrome Camera UI-5240RE-M-GL R2 and Ricoh FL-CC2514-2M

IDS GigE UI-5240RE-M-GL R2 IP65 / IP67 Machine Vision Monochrome Camera 

And 

Ricoh FL-CC2514-2M

IP65 / IP67 cameras are hard to find, especially at a good price. The latest version of this camera costs over $1000. Just an IP65 / IP67 camera enclosure cost around $500. This camera's body is a high quality IP65 / IP67 housing. The lens cover is sealed and can fit a 2 inch or 50mm long c mount lens. It has a clear glass Schneider Kreuznach 43 mm diameter filter at the end of the cover. You can unscrew that filter and add your own as needed.

This is a 1280 x 1024 monochrome camera with very good dynamic range. The imaging sensor is an EV76C560BB 1/2” CMOS chip with 5.3 x 5.3 um pixels. The black level can be lowered in the camera to produce excellent separation of the darkest shades of gray. This is somewhat unique because black level is usually only additive, making most cameras produce black with a brightness of around 30. I'm not sure if the adjustment is happening at the 10 bit level or at the 8 bit output, but the results speak for themselves. In the sample image the 100% Black square at the top right is 0, the 90% Black is 24, the White square is 248. This is the full dynamic range accurately reproduced in 8 bits, coming from the camera, no post processing required.

The camera comes with a Ricoh FL-CC2514-2M 25mm, f/1.4, 2 megapixel c-mount lens. It can accommodate up to a 2/3” chip (this camera has a 1/2” chip). The lens is of solid quality glass and metal construction. The Iris locking screw is bent, works fine, but that indicates the lens hit something. I think the lens cover was probably forced over the screw by an impatient installer with low dexterity. Whatever bent the screw didn't effect the image quality of the lens (see sample image for proof).

It's a very good camera, and a great price... so is it too good to be true?

No, however it is an old camera. IDS is ending support for the camera this year. The firmware doesn't support the new GEN<i>CAM GigE vision standards. You have to use the IDS GigE driver Version 4.80.1 or earlier to set set up the camera's IP address.

Before you buy this camera, download and install the IDS Software Suite 4.80.1 WHQL at

https://en.ids-imaging.com/ueye-software-archive.html

If it runs on you PC your good to go.

You'll need to get a power cable, the camera is not PoE. The power cable needs a Binder Series 702 M9 7-pin or 8-pin female connector. A 5 meter cable assembly Part # 79 1422 15 07

Pin 2 (BRN) is 12V – 24V DC, Pin 4 (YEL) is GND

https://www.binder-usa.com/subminiature-circular-connectors-m9-ip67-female-cable-connector-overmoulded-shielded-2.html?sku=79%201422%2015%2007

Color code of the Binder cable id not the same as the IDS supplied cable.

IDS camera connector pin out and IDS version of the Binder connector cable.  The color code is different than the Binder cable above. 

Special version of the IO and power cable from IDS.

You can use a regular Ethernet cable, but to keep the IP65 / IP67 rating a Harting RJ45 push/pull connector should be used. There are two parts, the connector and the seal (Harting part numbers 09451451560 and 09455450033).

IDS sells this as a kit

https://en.ids-imaging.com/store/products/accessory/interface-cables/gige-patch-cable-dragchain-ip65-67-push-pull-5-m.html

They are available separately from Mouser by part number. www.mouser.com

Camera Specification

• Interface GigE - Requires IDS driver Version 4.80
• Lens Mount C-Mount
• Sensor Technology CMOS (e2v)
• Model Description (color) UI-5240RE-C
• Model Description (mono) UI-5240RE-M
• Resolution (h x v) 1280 x 1024
• Resolution Depth 10bit (10bit ADC)
• Resolution Category / Pixel Class 1.3 Megapixel
• Sensor Size 1/2"
• Shutter Global max. fps in Freerun Mode 50 fps
• Exposure Time in Freerun Mode 9µs - 2000ms
• Exposure Time in Trigger Mode 9µs - 2000ms
• AOI Modes horizontal + vertical
• Binning Modes horizontal + vertical
• Subsampling Modes ---
• I/O - Strobe 1 I/O - Trigger 1
• Sensor Model (monochrome) EV76C560BB
• Pixel pitch in µm 5.30
• Optical Size 6.784 x 5.427 mm
• Protection Classes IP65 / IP67
• Dimensions H/W/L 53.00 mm, 41.00 mm, 42.70 mm
• Mass 168.00 g
• Power Supply 12 - 24V

Lens specifications

• Manufacturer Ricoh (formerly known as Pentax brand)
• Model FL-CC2514-2M
• Format size 2/3, 1/1.8, 1/2, 1/3" format
• Focal length 25 mm
• Maximum aperture ratio 1:1.4
• Iris range 1.4～16
• Mount C
• Horizontal angle of view (degrees)
• 1/4" format 8.2
• 1/3" format 11.0
• 1/2" format 14.6
• 2/3" format 20.0
• Minimum object distance 0.25 m
• Back focal length 11.50 mm
• Filter size 27 P=0.5 mm
• Dimensions 29.5 mm diameter x 32 mm length
• Weight 55 g
• Remarks Focus & Iris lock screws

Thanks for viewing. Don't forget to check my ebay items.

keywords

IDS Imaging Development Systems IP65 IP67 Monochrome Pentax Ricoh Schneider Kreuznach FL-CC2514-2M f/1.4 c2514-m Binder series 702 712 7 pin 8 pin connector machine vision computer vision camera Gigabit Ethernet GigE

Use f/16 to check for dirt on your image sensor

Is your camera sensor dirty?  Don't want to pull the lens, or maybe the dirt is so tiny you can't see it.  A quick way to check for dirt is to set the iris to f/16.  This will cause the dirt to cast a shadow on the sensor. 
If there is dirt, and you can't clean it.  Use a wide open iris.  The multi-angle light rays will obscure the dirt.

Some simple design philosophies that are true.

I don't know where I heard these sayings, but they have proven to be true:

• Good, Fast, or Cheap? Pick any two.

• The only part that won't fail is the one you leave out.  [Design a system with fewer parts.]

• The three traits of a great programmer are Hubris, Laziness, and Impatience.

Watec WAT-231S Color CCD Analog (NTSC) Camera [Branded Genwac GW-231S]

Watec WAT-231S [Branded Genwac GW-231S]

  This analog video camera has a lot of useful features.  But let's cover the basics first;

It's an NTSC analog output, the normal 1V p-p signal BUT ALSO a Y/C video out.  That's the original S-Video that was considered hi-def before digital video supplanted analog.  So it's got that, which is nice.

White balance is selectable from the back of the camera.

  It has some preset White Balance settings, Manual White Balance and Auto White Balance.  The cool thing is there's a dial on the back that lets you pick the White Balance setting.  If you choose manual, there are a couple of push buttons that let you shift RED and BLUE.  That's a neat feature that is cool to access from the back of the camera.

Automatic Gain Control, Gamma Correction, and Shutter speed can be set from the side of the camera.

I don't want to bore you with all the details, so here's a list of features in order of how they impress me:

• Switch Automatic Gain Control on and off on the side of the camera.
• Switch Gamma correction on and off from the side.
• Selectable shutter speed 1/250 sec to 1/10000 sec by dialing a switch on the side of the camera.
• The camera can use both C-Mount and CS-Mount lenses.  Usa the 5mm spacer ring for C-Mount lenses.
• Backlight compensation can be switched on an off from the back of the camera.
• Video level can be adjusted with a dial.
• Maximum video level can be set from a switch, 100 or 75 IRE.  This is the separation between black and white.
• Auto Iris output for compatible lenses. 

Test image 12mm lens, target from VitaMall

By the way, sharp eyed viewers may have noticed the make and model in the photos is Genwac GW-231S.  What's up with that, this is clearly a Watec WAT-231S.  For the answer I checked out the Watec FAQ:

   Genwac is a wholly owned division of Watec Co. Ltd. Japan. All Genwac products are designed and manufactured in Japan by Watec Co. Ltd. As of June 1, 2003, Genwac is the only authorized supplier of both Watec “WAT-” and Genwac “GW-” brand products

SPECIFICATIONS

Model	WAT-231S (NTSC) Branded GW-231S
Pick-up element	1/3inch Interline transfer CCD image sensor
Number of total pixels	811 (H) x 508(V) (NTSC)
Number of effective pixels	768(H) x 494(V) (NTSC)
Unit cell size	6.35 µ m(H) x 7.4 µ m(V)(NTSC)
Scanning system	2:1 interlace
Synchronizing system	Internal
Video output	Composite Video 1 Vp-p 75ohm Unbalanced Y/C output(Y:Video Sync C:Croma Burst)
Video Level	100IRE / 75IRE selectable
Resolution(Horizontal)	Composite out : 450TV lines( center) Y/C out : 480TV lines(center)
Minimum illumination	0.1 Ix. F1 .2 (AGC High)
Gamma correction	0.45(ON) / 1.0(OFF)
AGC	ON=8~36dB(High) 8~24dB(Low) / OFF=8dB
S/N Ratio	50dB(AGC OFF)
AE mode	OFF FL 1/250 1/500 1/1000 1/2000 1/4000 1110000sec. El 1 (1/60~ 1/10000sec.NTSC) El 2(1/100~ 1/1 0000sec.)
Back light compensation	ON / OFF selectable
White balance	Auto Preset: 3200K 4300K 5100K 6300K Push lock White Balance Manual White Balance(2500K ~ 9500K)
Lens mount	CS-Mount With CS/C 5mm adapter ring to allow C-Mount lenses
Auto iris	Video / DC drive selectable
Installation screw	1/4-20
Connection terminal	Video out (BNC) Video out (Y/C) Power Auto iris
Power supply	DC +10~15V (recommendation 12V±10%)
Current	max. 180mA (DC +12.0V)
Operating temperature	-10°C ~ +40°C
Storage temperature	-30°C ~ + 70°C
Dimensions	43.5(W) x 44.0(H) x 64.5(D)mm
Weight	160g

Don't forget to check out my eBay sales:  

Ebay
 

Thanks!

Machine vision lens comparison : 8 mm, 8.5 mm and 9 mm lenses from Schneider Cinegon, Navitar, "TV LENS", Edmund Optics, and Fujinon

For at least a decade I've been using Fujinon lenses on my machine vision projects.  I've never had a complaint.  They're solid metal and glass lenses with locking screws.  The image quality has never been in doubt.

However, I've hadn't actually tested the image quality against the competition.  So, now I have tested 5 lenses with a couple of my lab cameras.  The goal of the test was to see if the Fujinon lens had an obvious problem.  I bought a star target array from eBay seller  VitaMall.  Then set up a test rig to image the target.

The lenses tested were fixed focal length 8 mm, 8.5 mm and 9 mm.
Lenses are:

Schneider Kreuznach  Cinegon 8 mm f/1.4 Color Corrected Schneider Compact VIS-NIR Lens ($1600)

Navitar NMV-8   8 mm f/1.4 ($113)
eBay store

"Japan TV LENS"  8 mm f/1.3 (?$120)

Edmund Optics 8.5 mm f/1.3 58000 C Series ($250)

Fujinon HF9HA-1B  9 mm f/1.4 ($130)

They cost anywhere from $100 to $1600.  And that bring up another question, is a $1600 Schneider lens really that good?

Here's the star target at a working distance of 350mm and an f-stop of f/4.0.

Schneider 8mm @ f/4.0

Navitar 8mm @ f/4.0

"Japan TV LENS" 8mm @ f/4.0

Edmund Optics 8.5mm @ f/4.0

Fujinon HF9HA-1B  9mm @ f/4.0

The most noticeable characteristic is distortion.  Yes, the Schneider lens is clearly the least distorted.  But surprisingly, the Fujinon and the "TV LENS" are a close second.

In a future post I'll compare the contrast in the center and the edges.

How to remove a super glued lens from a machine vision camera.

How to Remove a Super Glued Camera Lens - [Part 1]

  The lens and camera were a great price on eBay. $80 for a $300 lens and a $500 camera! It's too good to be true, right?  Well, there was one tiny little catch, the lens was super glued to the camera.

 This is a record of how I was able to remove the lens and the 5 mm c/cs ring from the camera. Repeatedly adding acetone to the end of the ring eventually dissolved enough super glue to free the ring from the camera.  It took about 20 minutes before the lens and ring would rotate freely. 

Consider this as Part 1. The ring was way way more difficult to remove from the lens. I'll make a part 2 covering that complication... subscribe to catch part 2

--