Color Inconsistency (random Color Tint)

Problem

There may occasionally be random color tint (e.g., green, yellow, pink, purple) in the color images with captures using the same settings.

../_images/green-pink-tint-in-the-color-image.png

Cause

The ambient lighting in your scene is strong, and it flickers as it operates on alternating current (AC) power supply. The exposure times in your 2D settings are not compensated for the grid frequency. Consequently, there is interference from ambient light caused by the power grid, which results in a random color tint in the color images.

Potential Solutions

Modify capture settings

First, identify the ambient light (grid) frequency in your region.

Open Zivid Studio and connect to your camera. Click on the three dots in the Capture section. Then click Measure scene lighting conditions. The software will display the detected ambient light flicker frequency.

../_images/studio-measure-ambient-light.png

Alternatively, use the SDK method Camera::measureSceneConditions() to measure the ambient light conditions. This method will report whether significant ambient light flicker is detected and if it corresponds to a 50 Hz or 60 Hz power grid.

Use appropriate Presets

If you are using Presets, select the ones tailored for 50 Hz or 60 Hz. These can be found in Zivid Studio or on the Presets page.

Adjust settings manually

If you have manually configured settings, ensure your exposure times are synchronized to your region’s grid frequency.

Use sampling rates (exposure times) in the multiples of the grid period in the presence of strong flickering ambient light sources:

  • Multiples of 10 000 µs in the presence of 50 Hz grid frequency.

  • Multiples of 8 333 µs in the presence of 60 Hz grid frequency.

This method will eliminate random color tints, as shown in the corrected image below. Keep in mind that the capture time will likely increase using the settings with exposure times compensated for the grid frequency.

../_images/no-tint-in-the-color-image.png

Prevent ambient light

The best way to deal with ambient light is to eliminate it.

Turn off unnecessary light sources near the Zivid camera.

If removing light sources is not possible, block their illumination by using light barriers around the scene. These barriers do not need to be solid; dark curtains or similar materials will suffice.

Change ambient light

If removing ambient light is not feasible, consider using light sources that do not flicker due to AC power supplies.

Choose DC-powered lights such as spotlights or LEDs with a frequency of ≥1 kHz. These will reduce flicker and prevent color inconsistencies in your images.