Specialised Imaging has released the SIR3 ballistic range camera, an ultra high-speed camera. It is designed to withstand the harsh environment of the proofing ground and to provide high reliability as well as superior image quality.
The SIR3 camera is smaller and lighter but maintains the high performance and robustness of its predecessor, the SIR2. It features an optical viewfinder to ease image focus and framing while maintaining the possibility of electronic focusing using an external TFT monitor and simplified focus button.
Using the input from two separate sensors, SureShot real-time hardware enables reliable image capture of unpredictable high-speed objects mid frame. This advance in trigger reliability also enables researchers to narrow the field of view of the camera, thereby increasing the achievable resolution of results. A rugged Nikon F-mount, included as standard on the SIR3, incorporates a manual aperture adjuster allowing modern lenses without manual aperture control, to be used. The camera control software is the same as for the SIR2, which makes migration for the end user much easier.
The SIR3 captures 11 Megapixel images and has the ability to acquire two separate full resolution images, extending ballistic test range capabilities. This novel feature provides valuable information on displacement and velocity for ballistics, detonics and impact studies. The rigid all-metal IP54 compliant construction of the camera makes it suited to withstand even harsh industrial and defence research environments.
All imaging functions can be controlled over standard 1Gb/s Ethernet enabling the SIR3 to be easily integrated into almost any imaging environment. Comprehensive operational software provides simple control of imaging parameters and extensive measurement tools to analyse results. Image archiving in a wide range of industry standard file formats is supported. For situations where more complex measurements are required, several cameras can be operated from a single control computer with timings for all cameras linked to the same control screen.
