lightSTUDIO

Test charts are ideal for evaluating digital cameras and other objective measurements, but some aspects of camera testing require real-world scenes with real objects rather than just test targets. One of these aspects is the proper white balancing for different illuminants. Another is determining the loss of visual detail due to noise reduction or the level of noise in an image.

You can, of course, do tests with real scenes for yourself, but how to make these tests comparable over time, with the same test conditions? Or between different work groups from different parts of the world?

To address these challenges, we have developed the lightSTUDIO to enable this type of visual analysis. It provides standard lighting types and is large enough to illuminate an entire tabletop scene. It also allows remote control and light dimming from a PC via a USB interface.

The lightSTUDIO always includes the same interior objects (see picture to the right) to enable a more accurate global test comparison across labs. Each object was carefully selected based on our camera-testing experience and can provide useful information about your camera system.

The lightSTUDIO, with its interior objects and switchable light sources, has become one of our top-selling products for image quality analysis. It has become an industry standard for camera test scenes.

Please note that images are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the final product layout.

One of the many product variants is the lightSTUDIO-L, which is powered by iQ-LED technology for generating custom spectra.

The lightSTUDIO creates a natural test scene by using real objects, offering a unique solution for camera testing.

The lightSTUDIO-LM variant includes moving targets to measure the camera's performance in capturing motion artifacts.

The lightSTUDIO-LH variant incorporates two LG4 lightboxes to create high-contrast test scenes for HDR measurements.

The lightSTUDIO-AW variant introduces AW (adaptive white) technology, which replaces the need for fluorescent lighting.

The lightSTUDIO includes control software and multiple APIs (sold separately) for the different product variants.

One challenge that we repeatedly hear about is how to reproduce the same test environment, e.g., lighting conditions, in different labs around the world. Many companies have test labs worldwide, and these labs often run the same end-of-line tests to assess their defined image quality requirements. Many such tests require a natural scene. For labs that use natural scenes or test devices in the real world, it can be very challenging to replicate the same test conditions. For example, ensuring consistent light intensity outdoors across different times is quite difficult. As a result, we developed lightSTUDIO to simulate real-world testing scenarios in the comfort of a test lab. In addition, lighting conditions and objects under test can be controlled, making comparisons across labs much more efficient.

The lightSTUDIO-L is based on iQ-LED V2 technology and is our standard lightSTUDIO option. Similar to our other LED products, the lightSTUDIO-L uses ten individual iQ-LED V2 elements to replicate almost any light spectrum for your camera testing. These elements use 41 SMD high-power LEDs, divided into 20 color channels, and can reach a maximum intensity of 2000 lux.

With the introduction of iQ-LED V2, it is now possible to control the lights' functionality without a PC. You can store up to 44 distinct illuminants and one sequence on the device (controlled via microswitches on the device).

The lightSTUDIO-L uses a mini-spectrometer with higher spectral resolution, greater sensitivity, and a spectral range of 380-820 nm.

Apart from the standard lightSTUDIO-L, we also offer the lightSTUDIO-L with moving targets (lightSTUDIO-LM) and with HDR targets (lightSTUDIO-LH). We also offer an IR version for near-infrared (NIR) testing and an 850/940 nm version with iQ-LED.

Additionally, we offer basic setups for our iQ-LED products to reduce costs. Please review our iQ-LED - Basic page for details.

The LE7-E version gives you the possibility to create a dynamic range of up to 1:100.000. Such a wide dynamic range greatly expands the testing possibilities, especially when testing in low light. This version is the only iQ-LED device capable of achieving such a wide dynamic range.

This version uses six iQ-LED modules, with the top-center module covered by a 1.8 ND filter, making it suitable for low-light testing down to 0.25 lx. If you are measuring extremely low intensities, we recommend using an external radiolux (rather than the internal mini-spectrometer) to ensure accurate measurements.

The LE7-E requires iQ-LED software version 3.2.0 or above to function effectively. With version 3.2.0, you can now control single modules inside the same device. Controlling individual modules is essential for achieving a wider dynamic range, especially in low-light conditions.

Nowadays, most devices support still photography and video. When comparing compression technologies, artifacts, motion blur, and other video quality metrics, the lightSTUDIO can be equipped with moving targets. One of these is a horizontally moving frame that can hold a variety of targets, including dead leaves or a slanted-edge target. The motion speed is adjustable up to 3 m/s.

A second movable section is a rotating plate on the back wall of the box, which also allows the speed to be adjusted (up to 300rpm). It can carry a sector chart or any custom chart. A Timecode display helps track the sequenced movements in the footage.

The moving lightSTUDIO also includes the iQ-Trigger, a mechanical finger that automatically releases the camera under test. To stabilize the setup with moving parts, the moving target option includes a Rolling Cart for easy mobility.

Our HDR version of the lightSTUDIO incorporates two LG4 lightboxes to produce high-contrast test scenes. The LG4 uniformly illuminates transparent test charts for various measurements, e.g., OECF or color. Test charts are sold separately and do not come with the lightSTUDIO package.

See our chart page for all our transparent test charts.

To avoid stray light that reduces foreground contrast, place the light boxes behind a surrounding black box. Then insert this box into the center part of the back wall of the lightSTUDIO. That way, contrast ratios of more than 10.000:1 can be reached.