CAMERA CALIBRATION

Camera calibration

 Calibrated to determine precise and accurate

values for number of constant.
 Constant or elements of interior orientation,
are needed to produce accurate spatial
information from photo.
 Three methods;
A) Laboratory method
B) Field method,
C) Stellar method
Camera calibration (cont.)
 Lab method is the most common.
 Normally performed by camera manufacturer
or government agency
 General approach is photographing an array of
targets whose relative position are accurately
known.
 Elements of interior orient. are determined by
precise measurement of the target images.
 Comparing their actual image locations, and
the position they should have occupied in
perfect view.
Element of interior orientation
A) Calibrated focal length (f): overall mean
distribution of lens distortion. Better termed
as calibrated principal distances (c) since it
gives the distances from the rear nodal point
of the lens to the principal points of the
photograph
B) Symmetric radial lens distortion (k1, k2 , k3):
symmetric component of distortion that
occurs along the radial lines from the
principal point. Outward, inward from the
centre.
Element of interior orientation (cont.)

C) Decentring lens distortion (p1, p2): distortion

that remain after correcting for symmetrical
distortion. Asymmetric radial and tangential
lens distortion, due to imperfection in the
manufacture
D) Principal point location (xp, yp): coordinates of
PP with respect to x and y coordinates of
fiducial marks.
E) Fiducial mark coordinates

In addition: resolution, focal plane flatness, and

shutter efficiency.
Laboratory method

A) Multicollimator: consist of
photographing, onto glass plate (focal
plane), images projected through a
number of individual collimators mounted
in a precisely measured angular array.
Light rays carrying the image of the
cross are projected from the collimator
lens.
Colimator for camera calibration
Image of photograph collimator
targets.
Example of camera calibration site
Stellar and field methods
 Compare to the lab method, these methods do
not need expensive and special precise
equipment.
 Stellar: a target array of identifiable stars is
photographed, the instant of exposure are
recorded.
 RA and declination are obtained from
ephemeris, angle subtended by the stars are
known.
 These angles are then compared from the
precise angles observed by the camera.
 Disadvantages: atmospheric refraction
Calibration: Field procedure
 Array of targets be established, the positions
with respect to camera station be measured in
3D, using GPS.
 Some distance from the camera.
 Camera on top of fixed tower
 CFL and PP location to be determined + lens
distortion parameter.
 In flight camera calibration: aircraft make multi
passes in different direction over a target
range. Using airborne GPS
Others method

 On-the-job calibration
 In-situ – same time with object
measurement process
 Self-calibration
 Extension from on-the-job technique
 No need control

 Analytical plumb-line (laboratory method)

Example
The end

 Thank you