Changing the exposure settings for Basler cameras

Knowledge Base Search

MyNoldus Knowledge Base Related to EthoVision XT Changing the exposure settings for Basler cameras

Exposure is the amount of time the camera spends acquiring a video frame. Increasing the exposure allows more light to reach the sensor (brightening the image), while lowering it reduces the light (darkening the image).

Other factors that affect brightness include:

  • Aperture setting on the lens (marked "Open-Close") – turn to "Open" to brighten
  • Gain setting of the camera
  • Lighting conditions

If your image is too dark, first try opening the aperture. For more details, see: My image is too dark using a Basler camera.

Solution

  1. Close your Noldus software (e.g., MediaRecorder or EthoVision XT).
  2. Start the Basler Pylon Viewer software.
  • Note: Pylon Viewer is installed with the camera driver. If it's not on your desktop, check the Start menu under Basler.
  1. Go to Tools > Options and ensure the User Level is set to Expert or Guru.

Set User Level to Expert

  1. In the Devices panel, double-click the Basler camera under GigE or USB.
  2. In the Features panel, open the Basler camera item and double-click Acquisition Controls.
  • Note: If you don’t see the Features panel, go to Window > Features to enable it.
  1. Set Exposure Mode to Timed.
  2. Set Exposure Auto to Off.
  3. Enter your value in Exposure Time (Abs) [us] and press Tab to confirm.
  • Note: Higher exposure = brighter image; too high = dropped frames; too low = flicker.

Typical exposure ranges:

  • Non-DanioVision: 8,000 to 25,000 μs
  • With IR lighting: ~30,000 μs (reduce frame rate if needed)
  • DanioVision: 4,000 μs (1280x960) or 2,000 μs (640x480)
  1. Click Continuous Shot to preview the frame rate.

Continuous Shot

  1. At the bottom of the preview window, verify the actual frame rate matches Acquisition Frame Rate (Abs) [Hz] (recommended: 25 or 30 Hz).

Frame Rate Check

  1. If frame rate is too low, try the following:
    • a. Lower exposure time and increase Gain (Raw) under Analog Control
    Adjust Gain
    • b. Open the lens diaphragm (aperture)
    • c. Lower video resolution in AOI Controls by adjusting Width and Height
    AOI Controls
    • Note: Lowering resolution crops the image and may shift the center. Ensure Center X and Center Y are checked.
    • d. Lower the frame rate. Match this in EthoVision to avoid Missed or Interpolated Samples.
  1. Stop Continuous Shot.

Stop Continuous Shot

Then save the configuration:

  1. Select User Set 1 from Configuration Set Selector
  2. Click Execute next to User Set Save
  3. Set User Set 1 as the Default Startup Set
  4. Close Pylon Viewer

Configuration Set Save

  • Note: These saved settings will automatically load each time you start your Noldus software.

Tip: You can also save different settings in User Set 2 and User Set 3, and choose your preferred default under User Set Default.