Mathematical Optics Approach to Movie Camera Frame Rate By: Ron Molik, M.S.

in Engineering Introduction
Although several published documents are available that consider qualitative approaches to the subject of frame time, there does not appear to be one that is dedicated to a precise quantitative approach to this subject. Consequently, the objective of this document is to present a mathematical approach employing the subjects of geometrical and physical optics. The result of this study reveals the relationship of frame time to the physical variables that determine it. Frame rate ( FR ) is the frequency at which a film or video camera produces distinct consecutive images called frames. Physically, if we measure the time that elapses from the beginning of any frame to the beginning of the next consecutive frame (called frame time, TF ) then the frame rate is the inverse of the frame time, mathematically, FR = 1 / TF with frame time expressed in frames per second (FPS) (see the adjacent figure). In general, the frame time is the sum of the imaging devices exposure time plus the blanking time ( TF = TE + TB ). Since

TB = 0 eliminates image flicker and maximizes exposure time for a

given frame time, it is obviously preferred. Consequently, I assume

TF = TE here. In addition, since TE = 1 / E where

E is the shutter speed then TF = 1 / E from which FR = E = 1 / TE . Therefore, frame rate and shutter speed are equal and frame rate and exposure time are directly reciprocal, which means that increasing frame rate results in decreasing image exposure time.

Analysis: Geometrical Optics

I assume that the intent is to image a clear non-blurred moving object*. This requires that the object, when moving in the object frame (of width H) with a horizontal velocity ( V H ), must be imaged in successive horizontal resolution cells (of length R H ) on successive image frames (of width h) occurring at successive frame time intervals ( TF ). Stating this requirement mathematically, we formulate the relationship, (1)

V H TF = R H 1 VH = TF R H 1 TF

We rewrite (1) as (2)

The frame rate FR is the inverse of the time between successive frames, TF (3)

FR =

* Note: this implies that a deconvolution process is not required.

The width of the horizontal resolution cell in the object plane is (4)

RH =

H Nh N h is the number of horizontal resolution cells in the

The variable H is the width of the object plane, and variable camera film. The number of horizontal cells in the film is (5)

Nh =

h Rh

The variable h is the film width, and variable Rh is the film horizontal resolution. Substituting (5) into (4) results in (6)

RH =

Rh H h

Substituting (3) and (6) into (2), we obtain (7)

FR =

h VH Rh H

We must now relate H to the distance of the object plane ( S ), the distance of the image plane ( S ' ), and the horizontal image length h (refer to the adjacent figure). The trigonometry shown in the angle of view figure shows that (8)

H h = S S'

Solving (8) for H results in (9)

H=

hS S'

We can establish the relationship of ( S ' ) to ( S ) and the focal length of the lens (F) using the thin lens formula which is given by (10)

1 1 1 = + F S S' S ' and substituting the result into (9), we obtain hS S' F 1 + S

Solving (10) for

(11)

H=

For most cases of interest (12)

S >> S ' so that (11) becomes,

H=

hS F F VH Rh S

To realize the original intent, we now substitute H into (7) to find that, (11)

FR =

Analysis: Physical Optics

Although (11) is an important general result, it does not specifically consider the physical limit on resolution. To do so, we set Rh to equal the limit of resolution of the human eye which is R E =0.1 mm. For this case (11) becomes the simple function (12)

FR =

10 F Vh S

(with F in mm)

Results
Equation (12) summarizes the important result. It shows that the frame rate is proportional to the focal length of the objective lens and the horizontal velocity of the object, and inversely proportional to the distance of the object from the lens. The figure below plots FR as a function of Vh assuming F=36 mm, and labeled values of S as parameters. As a convenient reference for horizontal velocity, the average human walking velocity is 3.1 mph (4.5 ft/s). In addition, it is important to realize that high frame rate means low time exposure. Consequently, the aperture diameter D should increase to compensate for the loss in light gathering power caused by the low time exposure. This requirement translates to a low f-number for the objective lens in accordance with the equation: f-number = F/D.

Frame Rate (Focal Length=36mm)

400

350 S=10 ft S=20 ft S=40 ft S=60 ft S=80 ft

300

Frame Rate (frames/s)

250

200

150

100

50

0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Horizontal Velocity (ft/s)