Taking Proper Images for Camera Calibration

A successful calibration depends on the the quality of the images you take. Here are some tips that will help make your calibration successful.

1. If you are using a camera with a zoom lens, be sure that you use only one setting (e.g. wide angle). Use the same setting you will be using when taking photos for future projects.  Fixed lenses (non-zooms) will generally produce better calibrations but zoom lens cameras can be calibrated with a bit more care.
2. The calibration pattern should fill up the photo window frame as much as possible. See the photos in the manual and tutorial for a guide.  In some photos there may be large areas of image not covering the grid but over all photos in the calibration you want all parts of the image area covered.
3. If using a digital camera, turn sharpening off or to “soft”.
4. If using a camera or lens that has image stabilization, turn it off (keep it off for your project work too).
5. If possible, use a tripod to ensure steady photographs.
6. Do not forget to take a few of your photographs with 90 roll rotations as depicted in the user manual and help file. You can roll the camera both ways too for greater stability in the results.