How can I correct overexposed or underexposed FinishLynx images?
With AGC and the gain between 70 and 90: reduce Brightness in steps of 5 for blown-out highlights, or reduce Gamma in steps of 0.05 to bring back detail in dark areas.
Overexposure ("blown-out" or "flared" highlights) often comes from bright whites or reflective surfaces, like white hip stickers with black numbers. If the camera is focused, you are using AGC and the gain is between 70 and 90, reduce Brightness to even out the exposure:
- Go to Camera Settings | Parameters. Brightness is listed next to the AGC parameters (it does not apply with manual gain).
- Reduce the value in steps of 5, capturing test images until the image looks right.
- Remember it will change as the sun moves.
Underexposure ("crushed" shadows or blacks) loses detail in the dark areas. If the camera is focused and the gain is between 70 and 90, reduce Gamma to bring the detail back:
- Go to Camera Settings | Setup. Gamma is near the bottom (works with AGC or manual gain).
- Make small changes in steps of 0.05, capturing test images until the image looks right.
- Again, this will change as the sun moves.
See also Gain control tools in the manual.
Goes deeper
- Too bright or too dark — Troubleshoot · Camera · EtherLynx Camera · Image & Focus
Related questions
- The image is too dark at dusk or under lights. Which settings help? — Set Gain Method to AGC with Auto Iris, open a manual iris toward the smaller f-numbers, raise AGC Brightness, add light at the line, then lower the frame rate a little. LuxBoost helps once gain passes 150.
- What factors affect the quality of my FinishLynx images? — Five things: the light source and where it comes from, the lens type, the frame rate for the speed of the athletes, depth of field (raise the camera), and lens speed (open the iris at higher frame rates).