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Camera Operation Mode#

The Camera Operation Mode camera feature allows you to configure your camera for specific operating conditions.

By selecting a camera operation mode, certain camera settings are configured automatically with the aim of producing best results in the specific operating environment.

Using the Feature#

Specifying the Camera Operation Mode#

To specify the acquisition mode, set the CameraOperationMode parameter to one of the following values:

  • Standard: Enables the Standard camera operation mode.
  • LongExposure: Enables the Long Exposure camera operation mode.

Available Camera Operation Modes#

Standard#

This is the default camera operation mode. It is appropriate under most operating conditions, i.e., when parameters are not set to extreme values.

Long Exposure#

The Long Exposure mode is useful when you're using long exposure times and want to optimize image quality.

To maximize the effect of this feature, provide heat dissipation, increase the exposure time, and lower the frame rate as much as possible. If your application allows, operate the camera in single shot mode and acquire only the images you need.

The Long Exposure mode increases the exposure start delay.

When you set the CameraOperationMode parameter to LongExposure, the frame rate decreases. Check the ResultingFrameRate parameter if you want to see the effect it is having.

Info

After changing the camera operation mode, wait for at least ten minutes to allow the camera temperature to stabilize. This ensures consistent image quality.

Sample Code#

// Enable the Standard camera operation mode
camera.CameraOperationMode.SetValue(CameraOperationMode_Standard);
// Enable the Long Exposure camera operation mode
camera.CameraOperationMode.SetValue(CameraOperationMode_LongExposure);
INodeMap& nodemap = camera.GetNodeMap();
// Enable the Standard camera operation mode
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "CameraOperationMode").SetValue("Standard");
// Enable the Long Exposure camera operation mode
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "CameraOperationMode").SetValue("LongExposure");
// Enable the Standard camera operation mode
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.CameraOperationMode].SetValue(PLCamera.CameraOperationMode.Standard);
// Enable the Long Exposure camera operation mode
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.CameraOperationMode].SetValue(PLCamera.CameraOperationMode.LongExposure);
/* Macro to check for errors */
#define CHECK(errc) if (GENAPI_E_OK != errc) printErrorAndExit(errc)
GENAPIC_RESULT errRes = GENAPI_E_OK;  /* Return value of pylon methods */
/* Enable the Standard camera operation mode */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "CameraOperationMode", "Standard");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Enable the Long Exposure camera operation mode */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "CameraOperationMode", "LongExposure");
CHECK(errRes);
# Enable the Standard camera operation mode
camera.CameraOperationMode.Value = "Standard"
# Enable the Long Exposure camera operation mode
camera.CameraOperationMode.Value = "LongExposure"

You can also use the pylon Viewer to easily set the parameters.