Photron Fastcam SA5 User manual

F
FA AS ST TC CA AM M S SA A5 5
F
FA AS ST TC CA AM M S SA A5 5 R RV V

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 bears no responsibility for the results of using the product or from following the instructions in this manual.

Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of Photron’s high-speed camera system, the “FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV”
(referred to below as the system).
This manual contains the operating instructions and warnings necessary for using the system.
Before using the system, please read the entire manual.
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 Description
This symbol indicates supplementary items to be aware of
when using the software.
This symbol indicates the location of a reference.
This symbol indicates content that should always be read.
This symbol indicates instructions that should always be
followed when using the software, or things to be careful of
when using the software.
This symbol indicates a space you to use for making notes.
" " This symbol is used to indicate the names of items on a
screen, references, dialog names, and connectors.
[ ] This symbol is used to indicate menu names, and sub-menu
names.

Using the Manual
This section explains the layout of the manual.
Introduction
The introduction explains the manual and safety precautions.
Chapter. 1 Overview
This chapter gives an overview of the system and an explanation of its features.
Chapter. 2 Setup
This chapter gives an overview of the components that make up the system. It also explains basic keypad
operation and a list of items that should be checked before using the system.
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 about the warranty.
Chapter. 7 Contacting Photron
This chapter lists the contact information to use when contacting Photron if the system malfunctions or if
a portion of the manual is unclear.

Using the System 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 system. However, the extent of damage and injury
potentially caused by ignoring the content of the safety precautions and using the system incorrectly is
explained next. Please pay careful attention to the content of the safety precautions when using the
system.
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 be observed 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.
Caution
Warning

■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 might cause a fire from excessive heat.
■Do not insert metallic objects inside, or pour liquids such as water on, the system.
Doing so can cause fire, electric shock, or malfunction from short circuit or heat.
■Do not disassemble or modify the system.
There are high voltages inside the system that can cause electric shock.
■Do not plug in or unplug the power cord with wet hands.
Doing so can cause electric shock.
■This chapter lists the contact information to use when contacting Photron if the
system malfunctions or if a portion of the manual is unclear.
Not fully plugging in the power cable 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

■Always unplug the system when cleaning it or when it is unused for a long period
of time. Leaving or storing the system connected to the power source might cause
fire from insulation deterioration or electrical discharge.
■Do not set the system 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 2,000m
or lower.
In addition, if exceeding these limits, use in a condensation-free environment.
Doing so can cause malfunction.
■Do not store the equipment in a location where the temperature goes below -20°C
or higher than 60°C.
Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
■This device is for indoor use, do not use it outdoors.
Do not use in a location that has dust.
Doing so 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 below
-20°C or higher then 60°C. Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
Caution

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) events may cause immediate and unrecoverable damage to the
image sensor. Please read the following instructions and take EXTREME CARE when cleaning the
image sensor surface.
■ALWAYS take appropriate anti-static precautions when cleaning or working near the
Image sensor.
■DO NOT use any form of cleaning equipment using electrostatic or ‘charged fiber’ technology.
■Please discharge any electrostatic build up in your body by touching a grounded metallic
Surface before working near the camera sensor.
■Very gently, use only clean and dry air to remove dust from surface of the image sensor.
■To remove stubborn contamination use the highest grade (e.g. VLSI grade) pure
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) with optical wipes of ‘clean room’ grade.
■Extreme care must be taken! Gently wipe across the sensor in a single action.
(DO NOT rub to avoid abrasive damage to delicate optical coatings on the glass surface.)
Cleaning of the Image Sensor Surface

Table of Contents
Chapter. 1 Overview 1
1.1. Product Overview and Features ..............................................................................2
Chapter. 2 Setup 3
2.1. About the System’s Components and Accessories .................................................4
2.1.1. Components................................................................................................4
2.1.2. Accessories/Options ................................................................................... 4
2.1.3. Model ..........................................................................................................5
2.2. Part Names ..............................................................................................................6
2.2.1. Camera Body ..............................................................................................6
2.2.2. Camera Body Part Names .......................................................................... 8
2.2.3. Status Display LEDs on the Rear of the Camera Body ............................10
2.2.4. Interchangeable Lens Mounts................................................................... 11
2.2.5. LCD Remote Controller (Optional)............................................................ 12
2.2.6. RS-422 Serial Control ...............................................................................13
2.2.7. I/O Port Connector ....................................................................................14
2.2.8. Power Supply Connector ..........................................................................16
2.3. Device Connections ............................................................................................... 17
2.3.1. Connecting a Video Monitor...................................................................... 17
2.3.2. Connecting the AC Power Supply............................................................. 18
2.3.3. Connecting the LCD Remote Controller (Optional) ..................................19
2.3.4. Connecting a PC.......................................................................................20
Chapter. 3 Recording 21
3.1. Image Initialization (Calibration) ............................................................................22
3.1.1. Executing Calibration ................................................................................22
3.1.2. Saving Calibration Settings....................................................................... 22
3.1.3. Loading Calibration Settings ..................................................................... 22
3.2. Selecting the Frame Rate ......................................................................................23
3.2.1. Switching Frame Rate (150 K and 775K modes) .....................................23
3.3. Selecting the Resolution ........................................................................................ 24
3.4. Selecting the Shutter Speed .................................................................................. 25
3.4.1. Changing SHUTTER MODE.....................................................................25
3.4.2. Setting Dual Slope Shutter function..........................................................26
3.4.3. AUTO EXPOSURE Operation ..................................................................27
3.5. Selecting the Trigger Mode....................................................................................29
3.5.1. START Mode............................................................................................. 29
3.5.2. CENTER Mode ......................................................................................... 29
3.5.3. END Mode.................................................................................................30
3.5.4. MANUAL Mode .........................................................................................30
3.5.5. RANDOM Mode ........................................................................................30
3.5.6. RANDOM RESET Mode ........................................................................... 31
3.5.7. RANDOM CENTER Mode ........................................................................ 32

3.5.8. RANDOM MANUAL Mode ........................................................................33
3.5.9. TWO STAGES Mode ................................................................................ 34
3.6. LOW LIGHT Mode .................................................................................................35
3.7. VARIABLE Setting ................................................................................................. 35
3.8. White Balance Adjustment (Color Models Only)....................................................36
3.8.1. Using Preset White Balance (Color Models Only) .................................... 36
3.8.2. Using User White Balance (Color Models Only)....................................... 36
3.9. Color Enhancement Function (Color Models Only) ...............................................37
3.10. LUT (Look-Up Table) Operations ........................................................................... 37
3.10.1. Using a Custom LUT.................................................................................40
3.11. Edge Enhancement Function ................................................................................ 40
3.12. Partition Memory & Record....................................................................................40
3.13. Input/Output Signal Types......................................................................................41
3.13.1. TRIG TTL IN Connector ............................................................................ 41
3.13.2. TRIG TTL OUT Connector ........................................................................ 41
3.13.3. TRIG SW IN Connector ............................................................................41
3.13.4. SYNC IN Connector..................................................................................41
3.13.5. GENERAL IN Connector...........................................................................42
3.13.6. GENERAL OUT (1,2,3) Connector ...........................................................42
3.14. Using External Triggers..........................................................................................43
3.14.1. Inputting an External Trigger Signal..........................................................43
3.14.2. Outputting External Trigger Signals ..........................................................45
3.15. Using External Synchronization Signals ................................................................ 46
3.15.1. Inputting an External Synchronization Signal ...........................................46
3.15.2. Outputting an External Synchronization Signal ........................................ 46
3.15.3. Synchronizing Multiple FASTCAM SA5 Systems .....................................47
(Multiple Unit Synchronized Recording) .................................................................. 47
3.15.4. Synchronizing the System with Other External Devices...........................49
(Frame Rate Synchronized Recording)...................................................................49
3.15.5. Synchronizing the System with Other Cameras ....................................... 52
(Mixed Device Synchronized Recording) ................................................................52
3.16. GENERAL Signal Settings.....................................................................................53
3.16.1. GENERAL IN Signal Settings ................................................................... 53
3.16.2. GENERAL OUT Signal Settings ...............................................................54
3.17. Signal Delay...........................................................................................................55
3.18. Event Marker Function...........................................................................................56
3.19. Using USER SW (Programmable Switch) ............................................................. 57
3.20. Using MCDL (Multi Channel Data Link).................................................................58
3.21. IRIG Time Code (External Time Synchronization).................................................59
3.22. IRIG-sync Operation ..............................................................................................60
Chapter. 4 Connecting a PC 61
4.1. Connecting the Gigabit Ethernet Interface to a PC ...............................................62
4.1.1. Connecting the System and a PC.............................................................63
4.1.2. Setting the IP Address ..............................................................................63
4.1.3. Using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) ............................... 63

4.1.4. Connecting Multiple Systems and a PC ................................................... 64
4.1.5. Gigabit Ethernet Interface Initialization .....................................................64
4.1.6. Camera IP Address Initialization ............................................................... 64
Chapter. 5 Product Specifications 65
5.1. Specifications ......................................................................................................... 66
5.1.1. Product Specifications............................................................................... 66
5.1.2. General Specifications .............................................................................. 67
5.1.3. Options...................................................................................................... 68
5.1.4. Frame Rate and Resolution ...................................................................... 70
5.1.5. Recordable Image Count/Resolution (12bit)............................................. 74
5.1.6. Recordable Image Count/Resolution (8bit)............................................... 75
5.1.7. Recordable Times/Resolution (12bit)........................................................76
5.1.8. Recordable Times/Resolution (8bit)..........................................................77
5.1.9. Shutter Speed List..................................................................................... 78
5.2. Dimensions ............................................................................................................83
5.2.1. Camera Body ............................................................................................83
5.2.2. LCD Remote Controller (Optional)............................................................ 85
5.2.3. AC Power Supply Unit .............................................................................. 88
5.3. Cleaning the Filter.................................................................................................. 89
Chapter. 6 Warranty 91
6.1. About the Warranty ................................................................................................92
Chapter. 7 Contacting Photron 93
7.1. Contact Information................................................................................................94

1 FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV Hardware Manual
Chapter. 1 Overview
1.1.Product Overview and Features

Chapter. 1 Overview
2
1.1. Product Overview and Features
The FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV is a powerful engineering tool for use in research and development,
design, production, and quality control, and in numerous fields such as science, medicine, biology,
aviation and space. The system features superior basic performance with mega pixel resolution, an
ultra-sensitive image sensor capable of clear recording in low-light, and an ultra-high speed frame,
rate of a maximum of 775,000 fps (frame per second). It also employs a hybrid design to allow
operation via a LCD monitor keypad and operation from the PC software via a gigabit Ethernet
connection to more easily implement analysis of dynamic bodies that had been difficult to analyze
until now.
Use the state-of-the-art technology in the FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV to slow down and observe
high-speed dynamic bodies or events, and also as an input component for a dynamic image
measurement system.
SA5 SA5 RV

3 FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV Hardware Manual
Chapter. 2 Setup
2.1. About the System’s Components and Accessories
2.2. Part Names
2.3. Device Connections

Chapter. 2 Setup
4
2.1. About the System’s Components and Accessories
2.1.1. Components
The system’s standard components are listed below. Remove the components from the and check
packaging and check them.
1. Camera Body (with Nikon F-mount) One
2. AC Power Supply Unit/AC Cable One
3. C-mount One
4. Hexagonal Wrench for Changing Lens Mounts
(1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm) One each
5. Lens Mount Cap (built into the camera body) One
6. I/O (Input and Output) Cable One
7. FASTCAM Series Setup Disk (Driver/Application CD) One
8. FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV Hardware Manual (this manual) One
9. Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV) User's Manual One
10. How to Make a Gigabit Ethernet Connection
(Simple Procedure Manual) One
11. Gigabit Ethernet Interface Cable (LAN Cable) One
2.1.2. Accessories/Options
The following options are available for the system.
1. LCD Remote Controller
2. Lens Mount with Filter Changer
3. 4 channels Output Trigger Box
4. MCDL (Analog Waveform Synchronized Recording Unit)
5. Dedicated Carrying Case
6. Spare Power Supply Connector (for custom cable construction)
7. LAN Connector Anti-Dust Shell

5 FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV Hardware Manual
2.1.3. Model
The system's models are split according to color/monochrome, and there are a total of six models
according to the amount of memory.
The models are listed below.
Max. Frame Rate Sensor Type Memory Model Name
775,000fps
Color
8GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-C1
16GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-C2
32GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-C3
Monochrome
8GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-M1
16GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-M2
32GB FASTCAM SA5 775K-M3
"RV (Range Version) type” is prepared for each model.
It has be sealed-up a camera chassis for keep it free of dust.

Chapter. 2 Setup
6
Apperance Rear
2.2. Part Names
The system is composed of components including the camera body, AC power supply, and the
"Photron FASTCAM Viewer" controls software (referred to below as PFV).
For each of the system components.
- Do not expose to shock outside.
- Do not use in an area with flammable gas or dust present.
- Do not place in an unstable location such as on a unstable platform or an incline.
- Do not disassemble or modify.
- Do not expose to liquids such as water.
- Do not subject to excessive force.
2.2.1. Camera Body
For the FASTCAM SA5 system, there are monochrome and a color version, and for each of these
versions, there are 8 GB standard memory capacity type and 16 GB (or 32GB) high capacity type.
When purchasing, it is possible to select from these models according to the application or your
demands.
The camera body contains IC memory for image recording and has been designed to be able to
record high-speed images uncompressed. The back of the camera body is equipped with the video
output terminals, which can playback the recorded images on a video monitor; the Gigabit Ethernet
interface, which permits full camera control and data download possible via connection to a PC; the
external synchronization/trigger signals’ input/output connector; and the interface for the IRIG time
code/MCDL analog waveform synchronized recording unit.
FASTCAM SA5

7 FASTCAM SA5 / SA5 RV Hardware Manual
Apperance Rear
FASTCAM SA5 RV

Chapter. 2 Setup
8
Handle
F Mount Front
Front
USER S
W
Programmable Switch
Status Indicator LEDs
Handle
KEYPAD
KEYPAD Connector Back
DC20-36V 130VA
Power Supply Connector
GIGABIT ETHER
Gigabit Ethernet
LAN Cable Connector
POWER SW
Power Switch
Duct (filter)
FASTCAM SA5
HD SDI
HD SDI Out
p
ut Connecto
r
V
IDEO OUT
V
ideo Output Connecto
r
I
/
O PORT
I/O Port Connecto
r
GIGABIT ETHER I/ O PO RT
KEYPAD
PO WE R
POWER TRIGGER IRIG REC
IF RECSYNC SYNC
LINK/TRANS READYMODE IN
US ER 1 US ER 2 US ER 3 US ER 4
VI DE O OU T
HD SDIHD SDIDC 20 -3 6V 1 30 VA
2.2.2. Camera Body Part Names