Understanding Spark Cameras: A Brief Overview

In summary, spark cameras were used by engineers in the past to capture quick events. However, they were eventually replaced by flashtube cameras, which were first used by Harold Edgerton in 1941. The first reported use of spark photography was by Henry Talbot in the 1850s. X-ray radiography also replaced spark photography as a method for capturing images. Spark cameras work by manually discharging a capacitor bank to create a spark in the air, which is then captured by the camera in T (time) mode with a fast flash. This process was later improved with the use of electronically triggered flash lamps.
  • #1
Aaronvan
44
2
I’m not sure if they are even used anymore, but back in the day engineers used spark cameras to capture very brief timescale events.
 
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  • #2
They were used only until Harold Edgerton showed he could take an aerial photo of MIT at midnight using a flashtube mounted on the belly of a B-18 in 1941. See

http://invention.smithsonian.org/resources/online_articles_detail.aspx?id=618 [Broken]

Also see http://www.springerlink.com/content/k96yxljy0tt29rgx/

Henry Talbot is purported to be the first user of spark photography in the 1850's.

Bob S
 
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  • #3
Thanks, I wish I could read that Shock Waves journal article. It looks really interesting. Another question: did X-ray radiography replace spark photography?
 
  • #4
By the way, how do spark cameras work?
 
  • #5
When you call it a "spark camera," what exactly do you mean? Do you mean a conventionally shuttered camera with a fast flash which exposes the object while the shutter is open?
 
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  • #6
Mech_Engineer said:
When you call it a "spark camera," what exactly do you mean? Do you mean a conventionally shuttered camera with a fast flash which exposes the object while the shutter is open?
For a camera with a shutter, the shutter is in T (time) mode, in a dark room. For view cameras, the lite-tite dark slide on film holders is pulled out. Sparks in air generally do not give a uniform spectral (white light) distribution. Electronically triggered flash lamps were a major upgrade. Triggering a spark discharge in air was usually done by manually discharging a capacitor bank, so synchronizing with a shutter was difficult.
 

1. How do spark cameras capture images?

Spark cameras use a sensor called a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor to capture images. This sensor converts light into electrical signals, which are then processed to create an image.

2. How do spark cameras produce high-quality images?

Spark cameras use advanced image processing algorithms and high-quality lenses to produce high-resolution images. They also have features such as autofocus and image stabilization to improve the overall quality of the images.

3. How do spark cameras autofocus?

Spark cameras use a combination of contrast detection and phase detection autofocus systems. These systems use information from the CMOS sensor to quickly and accurately focus on the subject in the image.

4. How do spark cameras connect to devices?

Spark cameras can connect to devices using a variety of methods, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB. They also have the ability to transfer images wirelessly to compatible devices.

5. How do spark cameras store images?

Spark cameras typically have built-in memory and also have the option to use memory cards for additional storage. They can also transfer images to external storage devices or cloud storage services.

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