7 ms·

ArduCAM High Resolution Autofocus Camera Module for Raspberry Pi

51 points by lemariva 5y ago

anfractuosity 5y ago
I've been playing with 4x 5MP Arducam autofocus cameras along with the Arducam Multi Camera Adapter to take 4 photos in sequence of plants from different angles.
braincode 5y ago
In the F.A.Q they mention that it can be modified for telescopes: ==== Can I use it on my telescope? With a bit of modification, yes. We have seen many astrophotography projects with the official Pi cameras, you can follow the same instructions. ==== I wonder if it can be also modified for PCB inspection microscope purposes? I have a C-mount lens already: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002033939765.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002033939765.html More context on the idea I've been thinking about on: https://twitter.com/braincode/status/1464964031576379400 https://twitter.com/braincode/status/1464964031576379400 So... can this new Arducam 16MP autofocus be easily modded so that it: 1) Conserves the autofocus feature. 2) Accepts a C-mount lens like the one listed above with the right distance from the sensor?
amelius 5y ago
I hope the software interface has improved since the previous time I tried to use an arducam. Turned out that controlling basic settings such as exposure time and gain wasn't supported. The magic incantations necessary to get it done were kept secret by the manufacturer (Sony) of the imaging chip.
- lemariva 5y ago
  I tested both options (--shutter and --gain) and they are working as described here: https://www.arducam.com/docs/cameras-for-raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-libcamera-guide/ https://www.arducam.com/docs/cameras-for-raspberry-pi/raspbe...
jcun4128 5y ago
That's neat, I wonder how it compares to the big one with visible motors to turn the lens.
- lemariva 5y ago
  ArduCAM claims that it's better (see https://www.arducam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/camera-module-v3-offers-better-quality.jpg https://www.arducam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/camera-mo...). It has better resolution (16MP vs 12.3MP). However, the HQ has better changeable lenses available. I'm updating the rPIFocus (https://github.com/lemariva/rPIFocus https://github.com/lemariva/rPIFocus) repository to include the camera and test it. The autofocus speed will be definitely faster :).
  - jcun4128 5y ago
    We might be talking of different cameras my bad, I was referring to this tilt zoom one that looked interesting. https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom-ptz-camera-fo-raspberry-pi-and-jetson-nano/ https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom-p...
    - lemariva 5y ago
      I thought you were talking about my "autofocus" project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrbyPmq_Z7Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrbyPmq_Z7Q). The arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom uses the same sensor (IMX477) as the HQ. Thus, the resolution claim should be the same ;).
      - jcun4128 5y ago
        Last question, what's the reason for the spiral gear? Aperture ring belt, looks like it grips the adjusting part of lens body and then something turns it, spiral is just excess material.
        lemariva 5y ago
baldeagle 5y ago
Can we shoot this at 660fps? Or is that only available on the v1 and v2 cams?
- lemariva 5y ago
  You mean using this hack: https://blog.robertelder.org/recording-660-fps-on-raspberry-pi-camera/ https://blog.robertelder.org/recording-660-fps-on-raspberry-... I didn't check that yet, but using the provided software and the flag (--framerate), I got the following timestamps: # timecode format v2 0.000 8.329 16.657 24.987 33.316 41.644 49.972 58.302 Meaning that the camera is working at max. 120fps@640x480
WaitWaitWha 5y ago
I have yet to be able to manual focus through code the Arducam. :'‑(
- lemariva 5y ago
  Not only, if has an autofocus option (--autofocus flag). However, you cannot select the focus area (or focus points like in a pro camera) :(. But, the autofocus function is implemented and works nicely.
  - amelius 5y ago
    Manufacturers should stop calling it a day right after they get their stuff to "sort of" work. Especially if they make DIY products. Passing on the complexity of hardware interfaces to novice users is just cruel.
omginternets 5y ago
I have a tangentially related question: I’ve been toying with the idea of building some hacky night-vision goggles by popping the IR filter off of a CMOS (or similar) sensor. Is HN aware of any good camera modules for such a purpose?
- anfractuosity 5y ago
  You could look at the pi noir cameras, which already have no IR filter, I use one for a wildlife camera and IR lamp.
  - omginternets 5y ago
    Ah, good to know. These seem to be intended for use with the Raspberry Pi, but I imagine they can be used with microcontrollers like Arduino, with a bit of soldering-iron hackery, right?
- jeffreygoesto 5y ago
  ST Micro has some with significant near IR sensitivity, quick googling brought up [0]. For real "night vision" you need an imager without color array, it filters out too much light, and a HDR one like [1]. Then you need to map from the HDR to 8bit with some tonemapping. What you can expect max is something like [2]. [0] https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/stmicroelectronics-near-infrared-camera-sensor-in-the-apple-iphone-x https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/stmicroele... [1] https://www.st.com/resource/en/data_brief/vd5640.pdf https://www.st.com/resource/en/data_brief/vd5640.pdf [2] https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s119/turntwomotorsports/100_0146.jpg https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s119/turntwomotorsports/...
  - omginternets 5y ago
    This is great, thank you! TBH, the picture you linked to is much better than what I expected. Do you know if this was done with IR illumination? EDIT: p.s. where would you go to buy [1] ? I checked alibaba for the "VG5640" device code and came up empty.
textcortex 5y ago
Why would anyone opt in for Arduino while there is a superior platform like Raspberry pi? It’s much more capable with same maybe less price. You can even get 4 core cpu with Rpi zero 2 for 15 bucks.
- pyprism 5y ago
  Not everyone living in first world countries. For me, arduino is cheap(clone), required much less power than any SBC. Power outage is common in my area. Memory card of any SBC can't survive frequent power outage .
- MrBuddyCasino 5y ago
  Invariably, someone always asks this question. For most things I'd prefer a Pi Zero, less hassle, familiar environment. But consider: - energy consumption - latency - learning experience - the challenge of writing embedded software - wanting certain peripherals ...
- djbeadle 5y ago
  Note that despite the similar price points and form factors they serve two different purposes. The Raspberry Pi is a full computer shrunk down and made (relatively) cheaply. The Arduino is a cheap microcontroller made large for convenience. Things like on-board voltage regulation and USB make prototyping much easier. But these conveniences cost money and make the total cost (relatively) expensive. A professional might (keyword: might, don't come at me professional hardware designers!) use an Arduino board for creating a prototype and then design fully a custom product based on what they learned. You wouldn't (in 2021) try to build a computer around the microcontroller in the Arduino because it's so underpowered but you might use it for a smart, cheap motion sensor with a long battery life.
  - textcortex 5y ago
    I see your points and its valid. If battery life is not a problem and the project is more than blinking a light, Rpi is way to go.

51 points by lemariva 5y ago

I've been playing with 4x 5MP Arducam autofocus cameras along with the Arducam Multi Camera Adapter to take 4 photos in sequence of plants from different angles.

braincode 5y ago

In the F.A.Q they mention that it can be modified for telescopes: ==== Can I use it on my telescope? With a bit of modification, yes. We have seen many astrophotography projects with the official Pi cameras, you can follow the same instructions. ==== I wonder if it can be also modified for PCB inspection microscope purposes? I have a C-mount lens already: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002033939765.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002033939765.html More context on the idea I've been thinking about on: https://twitter.com/braincode/status/1464964031576379400 https://twitter.com/braincode/status/1464964031576379400 So... can this new Arducam 16MP autofocus be easily modded so that it: 1) Conserves the autofocus feature. 2) Accepts a C-mount lens like the one listed above with the right distance from the sensor?

amelius 5y ago

I hope the software interface has improved since the previous time I tried to use an arducam. Turned out that controlling basic settings such as exposure time and gain wasn't supported. The magic incantations necessary to get it done were kept secret by the manufacturer (Sony) of the imaging chip.

lemariva 5y ago
I tested both options (--shutter and --gain) and they are working as described here: https://www.arducam.com/docs/cameras-for-raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-libcamera-guide/ https://www.arducam.com/docs/cameras-for-raspberry-pi/raspbe...

jcun4128 5y ago

That's neat, I wonder how it compares to the big one with visible motors to turn the lens.

lemariva 5y ago
ArduCAM claims that it's better (see https://www.arducam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/camera-module-v3-offers-better-quality.jpg https://www.arducam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/camera-mo...). It has better resolution (16MP vs 12.3MP). However, the HQ has better changeable lenses available. I'm updating the rPIFocus (https://github.com/lemariva/rPIFocus https://github.com/lemariva/rPIFocus) repository to include the camera and test it. The autofocus speed will be definitely faster :).
- jcun4128 5y ago
  We might be talking of different cameras my bad, I was referring to this tilt zoom one that looked interesting. https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom-ptz-camera-fo-raspberry-pi-and-jetson-nano/ https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom-p...
  - lemariva 5y ago
    I thought you were talking about my "autofocus" project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrbyPmq_Z7Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrbyPmq_Z7Q). The arducam-12mp-pan-tilt-zoom uses the same sensor (IMX477) as the HQ. Thus, the resolution claim should be the same ;).
    - jcun4128 5y ago
      Last question, what's the reason for the spiral gear? Aperture ring belt, looks like it grips the adjusting part of lens body and then something turns it, spiral is just excess material.
      - lemariva 5y ago

baldeagle 5y ago

Can we shoot this at 660fps? Or is that only available on the v1 and v2 cams?

lemariva 5y ago
You mean using this hack: https://blog.robertelder.org/recording-660-fps-on-raspberry-pi-camera/ https://blog.robertelder.org/recording-660-fps-on-raspberry-... I didn't check that yet, but using the provided software and the flag (--framerate), I got the following timestamps: # timecode format v2 0.000 8.329 16.657 24.987 33.316 41.644 49.972 58.302 Meaning that the camera is working at max. 120fps@640x480

WaitWaitWha 5y ago

I have yet to be able to manual focus through code the Arducam. :'‑(

lemariva 5y ago
Not only, if has an autofocus option (--autofocus flag). However, you cannot select the focus area (or focus points like in a pro camera) :(. But, the autofocus function is implemented and works nicely.
- amelius 5y ago
  Manufacturers should stop calling it a day right after they get their stuff to "sort of" work. Especially if they make DIY products. Passing on the complexity of hardware interfaces to novice users is just cruel.

omginternets 5y ago

I have a tangentially related question: I’ve been toying with the idea of building some hacky night-vision goggles by popping the IR filter off of a CMOS (or similar) sensor. Is HN aware of any good camera modules for such a purpose?

anfractuosity 5y ago
You could look at the pi noir cameras, which already have no IR filter, I use one for a wildlife camera and IR lamp.
- omginternets 5y ago
  Ah, good to know. These seem to be intended for use with the Raspberry Pi, but I imagine they can be used with microcontrollers like Arduino, with a bit of soldering-iron hackery, right?
jeffreygoesto 5y ago
ST Micro has some with significant near IR sensitivity, quick googling brought up [0]. For real "night vision" you need an imager without color array, it filters out too much light, and a HDR one like [1]. Then you need to map from the HDR to 8bit with some tonemapping. What you can expect max is something like [2]. [0] https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/stmicroelectronics-near-infrared-camera-sensor-in-the-apple-iphone-x https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/stmicroele... [1] https://www.st.com/resource/en/data_brief/vd5640.pdf https://www.st.com/resource/en/data_brief/vd5640.pdf [2] https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s119/turntwomotorsports/100_0146.jpg https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s119/turntwomotorsports/...
- omginternets 5y ago
  This is great, thank you! TBH, the picture you linked to is much better than what I expected. Do you know if this was done with IR illumination? EDIT: p.s. where would you go to buy [1] ? I checked alibaba for the "VG5640" device code and came up empty.

textcortex 5y ago

Why would anyone opt in for Arduino while there is a superior platform like Raspberry pi? It’s much more capable with same maybe less price. You can even get 4 core cpu with Rpi zero 2 for 15 bucks.

pyprism 5y ago
Not everyone living in first world countries. For me, arduino is cheap(clone), required much less power than any SBC. Power outage is common in my area. Memory card of any SBC can't survive frequent power outage .
MrBuddyCasino 5y ago
Invariably, someone always asks this question. For most things I'd prefer a Pi Zero, less hassle, familiar environment. But consider: - energy consumption - latency - learning experience - the challenge of writing embedded software - wanting certain peripherals ...
djbeadle 5y ago
Note that despite the similar price points and form factors they serve two different purposes. The Raspberry Pi is a full computer shrunk down and made (relatively) cheaply. The Arduino is a cheap microcontroller made large for convenience. Things like on-board voltage regulation and USB make prototyping much easier. But these conveniences cost money and make the total cost (relatively) expensive. A professional might (keyword: might, don't come at me professional hardware designers!) use an Arduino board for creating a prototype and then design fully a custom product based on what they learned. You wouldn't (in 2021) try to build a computer around the microcontroller in the Arduino because it's so underpowered but you might use it for a smart, cheap motion sensor with a long battery life.
- textcortex 5y ago
  I see your points and its valid. If battery life is not a problem and the project is more than blinking a light, Rpi is way to go.