Photron Fastcam BC2 HD User manual

F
FA AS ST TC CA AM M B BC C2 2 H HD D

•· The copyright of this manual is held by Photron Limited.
•· Product specifications and manual contents can change without advanced notification.
•This manual was created taking every possible measure to ensure the accuracy of its contents. However, if you find a section which is unclear, a mistake, or an
omission, please contact Photron Limited using the contact information provided at the end of the manual.
•· Photron Limited is not responsible for the aftermath of the results of using the product or from following the instructions in this manual.

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Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of Photron’s high-speed camera system, the "FASTCAM BC2 HD"
(referred to below as the system).
This manual contains the operating instructions and warnings necessary for using the system.
Please read the entire manual before using the system.
If any part of this manual is unclear, contact Photron using the contact information printed at the back of
the manual.
After you finish reading the manual, store it in a safe place along with the warranty card and refer back to
it when necessary.
Manual Notation
The following icons and symbols are used in the explanations in this manual.
Icon/symbol Explanation
󲨘This symbol indicates content that should always be read. 󲨘
󲨘
󲨘This symbol indicates instructions to follow in the operation
of the camera and items to be careful of.
󲨘This symbol indicates items to be aware of when operating
the camera and supplemental explanations.
󲨘This symbol indicates a reference location.󲨘
󲨘
󲨘This symbol indicates a space to use for making memos.󲨘
󲨘
󳆛󲨘󲨘󳆜 This symbol is used to indicate connectors.󲨘
󲨘
󳆙󲨘󲨘󳆚
This symbol is used to indicate item names and reference
locations.󲨘
󲨘
󳊼󲨘󲨘󳊾 This symbol is used to indicate menu and submenu names.󲨘
󲨘
󳆝󲨘󲨘󳆞 This symbol is used to indicate remote controller keys
(optional accessory).

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Using the Manual
This section explains the layout of the manual.
Introduction
The introduction explains about the manual and safety precautions.
Chapter 1. Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the product and an explanation of its features.
Chapter 2. Setup
This chapter provides an overview of the components that make up the product.
Chapter 3. Recording
This chapter explains operations related to recording.
Chapter 4. Connecting a PC
This chapter explains the procedure for connecting the system to a PC. Refer to the "Photron
FASTCAM Viewer User's Manual" for additional details on using a PC to control the system. 
Chapter 5. Product Specifications
This chapter explains the system's specifications.
Chapter 6. Warranty
This chapter explains the warranty.
Chapter 7. Contacting Photron
This chapter lists contact information to use when contacting Photron if the product malfunctions or
if a portion of the manual is unclear.

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Using the Product Safely and Correctly
In order to prevent injury to yourself and others and to prevent damage to property, carefully observe the
following safety precautions.
Photron has given its full attention to the safety of this product. However, the extent of damage and injury
potentially caused by ignoring the content of the safety precautions and using the product incorrectly is
explained next. Please pay careful attention to the content of the safety precautions when using the
product.
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a serious
injury.
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a moderate
injury or that damage to physical property might occur.
The safety precautions to observe are explained with the following symbols.
This symbol indicates actions that require caution.
This symbol indicates actions that are prohibited and must be avoided.
This symbol indicates actions that must always be performed.
Warning
Caution


▪Do not perform actions that will damage the AC cable or plug.
(Do not damage the cable, modify it, use it near a heater, excessively bend, twist or pull on it,
place heavy objects on it, or bundle it.)
Using the cable when damaged can cause fire, electric shock, or a short circuit.
▪Do not use the system in a manner which will exceed the rating of the power outlet or wiring
equipment used.
Exceeding the power rating may cause a fire from excessive heat.
▪Do not insert metallic objects inside, or pour liquids such as water on, the product.
Doing so can cause fire, electric shock, or malfunction from short circuit or heat.
▪Do not disassemble or modify the product.
There are high voltages inside the product that can cause electric shock.
▪Do not plug in or unplug the power cord with wet hands.
Doing so can cause electric shock.
▪Make sure the power cable is fully inserted into the socket.
Not fully inserting the plug can cause fire from electric shock or heat.
▪When something is wrong with the system, unplug the power cable immediately.
· When a foreign substance or liquid, such as metal or water, gets inside.
· When the outer case is broken or damaged, such as from a fall.
· When the system produces smoke, a strange smell, or strange sound.
Using the system in these conditions might cause a fire or electric shock.
Warning

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▪Always unplug the system when cleaning it or when it is unused for a long period of time.
Leaving or storing the product connected to the power source might cause fire from insulation
deterioration or electrical discharge.
▪Do not place the product in a location where the temperature gets unusually hot.
The trunk and inside of a car can get especially hot in summer.
Doing so can cause the outer case and internal components to deteriorate or cause a fire.
▪Do not place the system in a location prone to oily smoke or steam, or in a location with a lot of
humidity or dust.
Oil, moisture, and dust conduct electricity, which can cause a fire or electric shock.
▪Ambient temperature 0-40°C, humidity 85% RH or lower, maximum altitude 2000 m or lower,
and no condensation. 
Using the system outside of these limits can cause malfunction.
▪Do not store the equipment in a location where the temperature goes -20°C or lower or 60°C
or higher.
Also, keep condensation from forming inside the system.
▪This device is for indoor use, do not use it outdoors.
Do not use in a location that has dust.
Using the system outside of these limits can cause malfunction.
▪When shipping, remove the connecting cable and use the original packaging or a dedicated
carrying case.
Do not ship the equipment in an environment where the temperature goes -20°C or lower or
60°C or higher. Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment.
Caution


The image sensor can be destroyed by electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Be aware of the following precautions when cleaning the image sensor's glass surface.
▪Do not bring any tools without an antistatic treatment near the image sensor. Do not use such
tools to clean the image sensor.
▪Do not use static absorbing cleaning tools (such as antistatic brushes).
▪Discharge any static electricity built up in your body before working.
(Example: by touching grounded metal)
▪For overall cleaning, lightly blow with anti-static dry, compressed air.
If the image sensor is particularly dirty, clean it by gently wiping it with high-purity IPA
(isopropyl alcohol) and a synthetic cloth for semiconductors.
(The coating on the glass surface may come off if rubbed strongly.)
Cleaning the Image Sensor Surface

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Table of Contents
1. Overview 1
1.1. Product Overview and Features ......................................................... 2
2. Setup 3
2.1. System Components and Accessories.................................................. 4
2.1.1. Components...................................................................... 4
2.1.2. Optional Accessories ............................................................ 4
2.2. Part Names ................................................................................ 5
2.2.1. Camera body ..................................................................... 5
2.2.2. Camera Body Part Names ...................................................... 6
2.2.3. Camera Body Rear Status Display LEDs ..................................... 8
2.2.4. Interchangeable Lens Mounts .................................................. 9
2.2.5. Remote Controller (Optional Accessory) .................................... 10
2.2.6. RS-422 Serial Control ......................................................... 11
2.2.7. Power Supply Connector ..................................................... 12
2.3. Device Connections..................................................................... 13
2.3.1. Connecting a Video Monitor .................................................. 13
2.3.2. Connecting the AC Power Supply Unit ...................................... 14
2.3.3. Connecting the Remote Controller (Optional Accessory).................. 15
2.3.4. Connecting a PC............................................................... 16
3. Recording 17
3.1. Image Initialization (Calibration) ....................................................... 18
3.1.1. Executing Calibration.......................................................... 18
3.1.2. Saving Calibration Settings ................................................... 18
3.1.3. Loading Calibration Settings.................................................. 18
3.2. Selecting the Frame Rate .............................................................. 19
3.3. Selecting the Resolution................................................................19
3.4. Selecting the Shutter Speed ........................................................... 20
3.4.1. Changing SHUTTER MODE.................................................. 20
3.4.2. DS SHUTTER Setting ......................................................... 20
3.4.3. AUTO EXPOSURE Operation................................................ 21
3.5. Selecting the Trigger Mode............................................................. 23
3.5.1. START Mode ................................................................... 23
3.5.2. CENTER Mode................................................................. 23
3.5.3. END Mode...................................................................... 24
3.5.4. MANUAL Mode ................................................................24
3.5.5. RANDOM Mode................................................................24
3.5.6. RANDOM RESET Mode ...................................................... 25
3.5.7. RANDOM CENTER Mode .................................................... 26

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3.5.8. RANDOM MANUAL Mode .................................................... 27
3.6. LOW LIGHT Mode ...................................................................... 28
3.7. VARIABLE Setting ...................................................................... 28
3.8. White Balance Adjustment ............................................................. 29
3.8.1. Using Preset White Balance .................................................. 29
3.8.2. Using User White Balance.................................................... 29
3.9. Color Enhancement Function .......................................................... 30
3.10. Look-Up Table (LUT).................................................................... 30
3.10.1. Using a Custom LUT .......................................................... 33
3.11. Edge Enhancement Function .......................................................... 33
3.12. Partition Memory & Record ............................................................ 33
3.13. Input Signals ............................................................................. 34
3.13.1. TRIG SW IN Connector ....................................................... 34
3.13.2. SYNC IN Connector ........................................................... 34
3.14. Using External Triggers................................................................. 35
3.14.1. Inputting an External Trigger Signal ......................................... 35
3.15. Using External Synchronization Signals .............................................. 36
3.15.1. Inputting an External Synchronization Signal ............................... 36
3.15.2. Synchronizing the System with Other External Devices (Frame Rate
Synchronized Recording) ..................................................... 37
3.15.3. Synchronizing the System with Other Cameras (Mixed Device
Synchronized Recording) ..................................................... 40
3.16. Signal Delay ............................................................................. 41
3.17. Using the Programmable Switch (USER SW)........................................ 42
4. Connecting a PC 45
4.1. Connecting the Gigabit Ethernet Interface to a PC .................................. 46
4.1.1. Connecting the PC and a PC................................................. 47
4.1.2. Setting the IP Address......................................................... 47
4.1.3. Using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) ...................... 47
4.1.4. Connecting Multiple Systems and a PC ..................................... 48
4.1.5. Gigabit Ethernet Interface Initialization ...................................... 48
4.1.6. Initializing the Camera's IP Address ......................................... 48
5. Product Specifications 49
5.1. Specifications ............................................................................ 50
5.1.1. Product Specifications......................................................... 50
5.1.2. General Specifications ........................................................ 51
5.1.3. Optional Accessories .......................................................... 52
5.1.4. Frame Rate & Resolution ..................................................... 54
5.1.5. Recordable Image Count/Resolution ........................................ 56
5.1.6. Shutter Speed List ............................................................. 57
5.1.7. List of Frame Rates Selectable with the VARIABLE Setting .............. 60