Imatest Documentation © 2009 Imatest LLC 1 of 451 Imatest Documentation Imatest Documentation Image Quality An overview of the key image quality factors and how they are measured by Imatest Sharpness - What is it and how is it measured? Introduction - The Slanted-edge test - Calculation details - Results - Interpreting MTF50 SQF - Subjective Quality Factor Introduction - SQF and MTF - Meaning of SQF - Measuring SQF - The SQF equation - CSF - Links Noise in photographic images Introduction - Appearance - Noise measurements - Noise summary - F-stop noise - The mathematics of noise - Links Sharpening - Why standardized sharpening is needed for comparing cameras Standardized sharpening - Examples Sharpness comparisons - for several digital cameras Introduction - Explanation of results - Tables of results - Interpretation of MTF - Some observations - Links Chromatic Aberration - AKA Color fringing Introduction - Measurement - Demosaicing Veiling glare (Lens flare) Introduction - Target - Measurement - Results - ISO 9358 Color correction matrix Introduction - Math - Multicharts ISO Sensitivity and Exposure Index Introduction - Modules - Equations - RAW files - Related documents Shannon information capacity - information that can pass through a channel without error Meaning - Results - Summary Blur units, MTF, and DXO Analyzer's BxU The Imatest Test Lab - How to build a testing lab Introduction - Hardware - Lighting - Easel - Light measurement - Tripod - Clamps - Putting it together - Targets - Aligning target & camera Imatest Instructions -- General Installation - and getting started Install - Purchase - Register - Offline registration - Files Using Imatest Running Imatest - multi_read - RAW files - Other controls - Pulldown menus - Figures - .CSV and XML output - Use of Imatest RAW files Introduction - Using RAW files - Bayer RAW - dcraw demosaicing - Rawview utility - Generalized Read Raw The Imatest Test Lab - How to build a testing lab Introduction - Hardware - Lighting - Easel - Light measurement - Tripod - Clamps - Putting it together - Targets - Aligning target & camera Troubleshooting - What to do when Imatest doesn't work Installation problems - Problems after install - Missing DLLs - Runtime problems - INI files - Command (DOS) window - Diagnostics runs - Path conflicts Imatest Instructions -- Sharpness modules Using SFR Part 1 - Setting up and photographing SFR targets Slanted-edge test - Print chart - Lighting - Distance - Exposure - Tips - Quality and Distance Using SFR Part 2 - Running Imatest SFR Image file - ROI - Additional input - Equations - Gamma - Warnings - Saving - Repeated runs - Excel CSV output Imatest SFR LCD target Screen Patterns module - Web pattern SFR results: MTF (Sharpness) plot SFR results: - Chromatic Aberration, Noise, and Shannon capacity plot SFR results: Multiple ROI (Region of Interest) plot 2D Summary plot - 1D Summary plot - CSV Output file - Summary explanation - Excel plots Using SFRplus Part 1 - The SFRplus chart: features and how to photograph it Slanted-edge test - Advantages - Obtain chart - Print chart - Lighting - Distance - Exposure - Tips - Quality and Distance Using SFRplus Part 2 - Running Imatest SFRplus Running SFRplus - Rescharts - SFRplus settings windows - Parameters & setup window - Settings & options window - Gamma - Warnings - SFRplus summary 2 of 451 Imatest Documentation Using SFRplus Part 3 - Imatest SFRplus results SFRplus results - Saving - Repeated runs - Excel .CSV (Comma Separated Values) output Using Rescharts - Analysis of resolution-related charts Introduction - Getting started - The Rescharts window - Rescharts modules - Slanted-edge SFR - Log frequency (simple) - Log frequency-contrast Log Frequency - Analysis of log frequency-varying charts Introduction - Photographing, running - Color moire - Output - Pattern - MTF - Comparisons - Calculation details - Nyquist, aliasing Log F-Contrast - Analysis of charts that vary in log frequency and contrast Introduction - Creating, printing - Photographing, running - Output - Pattern - MTF - MTF/contrast contours - MTFnn Star Chart - Analysis of the Siemens star chart Introduction - Creating, photographing, running - Output - MTF - MTFnn, MTFnnP - MTF contours - Equations MTF Compare - Compare MTFs of different cameras and lenses Introduction - Instructions Batchview - Postprocessor for viewing summaries of SFR, SFRplus results Introduction - Preparation - Instructions How to Test Lenses with SFRplus Introduction - Test chart - Photograph - Run SFRplus - Rescharts SFRplus - SFRplus settings - Interpret the results - Batches - Checklist How to Test Lenses with SFR - (old page: Imatest SFRplus recommended) Introduction - Test target - Photograph - Run SFR - Interpret - Checklist Imatest Instructions -- Tone, color, and spatial modules Using Stepchart Photographing the chart - Running Stepchart - Output - Saving - Dynamic range - Algorithm Stepchart: Applied Image and ISO charts Photographing chart - Instructions - Patch order Dynamic Range - Calculate Dynamic Range from several Stepchart images Introduction - Operation - Results - Dynamic Range bkgnd Using Colorcheck What Colorcheck does - Colorchecker colors - Photographing target - Photographing target - Colorchecker reference sources - Output - Saving - Links Colorcheck Appendix - Algorithms and reference formulas Color error formulas - Algorithm - Grayscale and exposure Using Multicharts - Interactive analysis of several test charts Introduction - Getting started - Reference files - The Multicharts window - Displays and options Multicharts Special Charts - Additional charts, including circles arranged on a square Instructions - Patch numbering - Examples Color correction matrix Introduction - Math - Multicharts Using Uniformity (Light Falloff) - Measures light falloff (lens vignetting) and sensor nonuniformity Instructions - Results Uniformity (Light Falloff): Imatest Master - Instructions for Imatest Master Input dialog box - Hot and dead pixels - Color shading - Uniformity profiles - Polynomial fit - Histograms - Noise detail - Spot detection Using Distortion Introduction - Instructions - Results - Main figure - Decentering - Corrected image - Intersection figure - Radius correction fig - Links - Algorithm Imatest Instructions -- Miscellaneous modules and utilities Using Test Charts - Creates test charts for high quality inkjet printers Introduction - Bitmap patterns - SVG patterns - Options Using Screen Patterns - Monitor patterns for Light Falloff, SFR, Distortion, and monitor calibration Introduction - Light Falloff - SFR - Distortion - Monitor calibration - Monitor gamma - Zone plate - SMPTE color bars - Slanted edges - Colorchecker- Stepchart - Squares (checkerboard) SVG Test Charts - Scalable Vector Graphics charts for MTF measurements Introduction: m x n squares - Squares and wedges - Operation - Options - Output figure - Printing View/Rename Files - using EXIF data Starting - 1. Select folder - 2. Select files - 3. Rename options - 4. Preview - 5. Rename files Imatest IT/EXE instructions - Running Imatest IT (Industrial Testing)/EXE Introduction - Installation - Setup - INI files - DOS call - Calling from Matlab - Testing - Error handling Using Print Test - Measure print quality factors: color response, tonal response, and Dmax Introduction - Instructions - Results Maskfill - Removes features that interfere with Imatest measurements 3 of 451 Imatest Documentation Introduction - Instructions Appendix Cross-reference tables - Tables to help you navigate Imatest Suppliers - Image quality factors - Image quality factors - Modules - Test charts - Test images Version comparisons - Differences between versions. Which is right for you? Glossary Glosario en Espanol Troubleshooting - What to do when Imatest doesn't work Installation problems - Problems after install - Missing DLLs - Runtime problems - INI files - Command (DOS) window - Diagnostics runs - Path conflicts Imatest Change Log - Imatest release history XML Changes - New XML improvements in Imatest 3.5.1+ Complete PDF documentation - The whole docs 14 MB and almost 500 pages, updated occasionally License - The Imatest End User License Agreement (EULA) 4 of 451 Imatest Documentation Image Quality Sharpness What is it and how is it measured? Image sharpness Sharpness is arguably the most important photographic image quality factor : it's the factor most closely related to the amount of detail an image can render. But it's not the only important factor. Imatest measures a great many others. Sharpness is defined by the boundaries between zones of different tones or colors. It is illustrated by the bar pattern of increasing spatial frequency, below. The top portion represents a target used to test a camera/lens combination. It is sharp ; its boundaries are abrupt, not gradual. The bottom portion illustrates the effect of a high quality 35mm lens on a 0.5 millimeter long image of the pattern (on the film or digital sensor plane). It is blurred . All lenses, even the finest, blur images to some degree. Poor lenses blur images more than fine ones. One way to measure sharpness is to use the rise distance of the edge, for example, the distance (in pixels, millimeters, or fraction of image height) for the pixel level to go from 10% to 90% of its final value. This is called the 1090% rise distance. Although rise distance is a good indicator of image sharpness, it has one limitation. It is poorly suited for calculating the sharpness of a complete imaging system from the sharpness of its components, for example,