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Camera Setup

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Overview

To achieve consistent results in photogrammetry and photometry, your camera must act as a reliable data acquisition sensor. This requires disabling all “intelligent” image processing and ensuring the camera remains in a predictable state across thousands of frames.


1. General Configuration (Universal)

Before any capture, ensure these “Global Offs” are applied to prevent inconsistencies between shots:

  • Image Stabilization: Turned OFF. In-body and lens-based stabilization can cause subtle “sensor drift” or frame-to-frame shifts.
    • Sony: SteadyShot → Off
    • Nikon: Vibration Reduction → Off
    • Canon: IS (Image Stabilizer) mode → Off
  • White Balance: Must be set to a Fixed Preset (e.g., Daylight 5600K) or a specific Kelvin value. Never use Auto White Balance (AWB).
  • Dynamic Range Enhancements: Turned OFF. These features apply local tone mapping which ruins photometric consistency.
    • Sony: D-Range Optimizer (DRO) → Off
    • Nikon: Active D-Lighting → Off
    • Canon: Auto Lighting Optimizer → Off
  • Lens Corrections: Turned OFF. Disable Auto Distortion, Peripheral Illumination, and Chromatic Aberration corrections.
  • Auto Rotation: Turned OFF. Ensure Auto Image Rotation is disabled so all images retain a consistent orientation in the buffer.

USB Tethering

For AragoControl to communicate with your camera, the USB mode must be correctly configured:

  • Sony: USB Connection Mode → Remote Shooting (PC Remote).
  • Nikon: USB connection priority → Shooting.
  • Canon: Most R-series cameras handle this automatically, but ensure Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connections are disabled to prioritize the USB bus.

USB Power Management

To ensure maximum stability during high-speed data transfer, we recommend disabling internal USB power features. Relying on the USB bus for power can cause connection drops or communication timeouts during intensive capture sequences.

  • Power Recommendations: Only use the provided dummy battery adapter or original manufacturer batteries or dummy battery adapter. For long-duration sessions, a dummy battery is the preferred method to provide clean, consistent power without interrupting the USB data bus.
  • Disable USB Power Delivery/Charging: Switch off any settings that allow the camera to charge or draw power via the USB-C cable (e.g., Nikon’s USB power delivery or Sony’s USB Power Supply).

2. Photogrammetry Workflow (AutoFocus)

Applicable to LightArray ‘ALL’ or ‘ALL + PALL’ shooting modes.

For high-speed automated capture where the subject depth might vary slightly, use the following AF configuration:

  • Focus Mode: Set to AF-C (Continuous AF).
  • Priority Settings: Set Shutter Release Priority to Release. This ensures the camera triggers exactly when AragoControl commands it, even if a perfect focus lock isn’t confirmed.
    • Sony: Priority Set in AF-C → Release.
    • Nikon: a1 AF-C priority selection → Release.
    • Canon: AF-C Priority → Release.
  • Focus Area: * Center Tracking: For the most accurate representation of AragoControl’s focus coverage estimations, use a Fixed Centre Point.
    • Tracking Modes: If the center point struggles, use Full-Area AF (Sony: Tracking: Wide, Canon: Whole Area AF) with Subject Tracking enabled. Nikon’s 3D Tracking is also highly effective for this.
  • Drive Mode: Use Single Frame shooting.
  • AragoControl Tuning: Adjust focus delays to account for lens motor speed and ambient light. Navigate to: Window → Settings → Delays → Focus Time (ms).

3. Manual Focus & Photometry (OLAT)

Applicable to photometric OLAT modes and fixed-distance workflows.

  • Pre-Focusing: Always achieve focus in AF first, then toggle the lens or body to MF (Manual Focus). This prevents the camera from “hunting” during a high-speed light sequence.
  • OLAT Burst Mode: Photometric LightArray modes work best in Continuous High Speed drive modes (ideally 10fps burst).
  • Note: Ensure your buffer can handle the sequence length to avoid frame drops.

4. Brand-Specific Considerations

Sony

  • Electronic Front Curtain: On newer models (e.g., a7R IV/V), set e-Front Curtain Shutter to ON. This minimizes mechanical delay and ensures better synchronization with the LightArray’s strobe timing.

Canon

  • Lens Restrictions: Be aware that some Canon-native RF lenses (and certain EF lenses via adapters) do not support the maximum “Continuous High Speed+” frame rates. Check your specific lens compatibility if you experience stuttering during OLAT sequences.

5. General Tips & Tricks

  • Prioritize Electronic Shutter: Whenever possible, use the Electronic Shutter. Photogrammetry sessions often involve thousands of shots; using the electronic shutter prevents shutter wear and eliminates mechanical vibrations.
  • The “Sweet Spot”: Always use high-quality prime lenses that remain sharp at high f-stop values to minimize diffraction.
  • Exposure Simulation: Turn OFF exposure simulation in the viewfinder/LCD when working in a dark studio with strobes so you can still frame your subject.
  • Power Management: Disable all “Auto Power Off” or “Eco Mode” settings. Always use a dummy battery for long sessions.
  • Firmware Updates: Always ensure your camera and lenses are running the latest firmware. Manufacturers frequently release updates that improve USB tethering stability, AF tracking reliability, and compatibility with high-speed burst modes – all of which are critical for the Arago workflow.

6. Workflow-specific settings

When working with M-XR Marso or Inciprocal pipelines, please refer to their native documentation resources since they rely on particular camera configuration factors:

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