LEARN MORE ABOUT LUMENERA CAMERAS

White Balancing an INFINITY Camera

Unlike the human eye a digital camera requires careful adjustment of its red, green and blue color channels to ensure proper representation of color in a final image. A successful white balance is achieved when the color represented on a monitor matches the color as seen in the microscope eyepiece. The following factors are crucial to perform a proper white balance:

• The optical system must be aligned for proper Kohler illumination and be accurately focused on the specimen plane with a blank slide in place.
• The camera sensor's optimal performance is at higher color temperatures requiring that illumination is at the high end of its range.
• If a NCB (Neutral Color Balance) filter is to be used for samples it should be employed for the color balance.

Four Steps to a Proper White Balance

Step 1: Place your specimen into your field of view, attaining a proper focus and illumination level in the microscope eyepiece and monitor. Ensure that your exposure is between 10 and 30 milliseconds.

Step 2: Remove your specimen and replace it with a blank slide. If that is not possible, remove your specimen and ensure that the field of view is completely white at or near the specimen plane using a piece of white paper.

Step 3: Choose the global white balance feature in either INFINITY CAPTURE or INFINITY ANALYZE. The proper result should be a slightly grey color.

Step 4: Replace the specimen and confirm that the color in the eyepiece matches the color on the monitor.

Troubleshooting

Ensure that the illumination on the microscope is set to properly illuminate the sample with the camera exposure set to a range of 10 to 30 milliseconds. If the illumination is set too high the sensor will become over saturated, and a poor white balance will occur.

Select the proper light source with the software options tab. Common color temperatures in Kelvin (K) are as follows: Tungsten-Halogen – 3000 K, Daylight – 5500 K and Fluorescent – 4000 K.

Please contact your Lumenera Business Development Representative for further information regarding Lumenera's full line-up of microscopy cameras or visit www.lumenera.com.

Return to newsletter