USB Cameras Plug and Play

USB Plug and Play Cameras

USB Plug and Play Cameras do not need any user installed drivers.  The cameras are supported by Windows and Apple computers automatically and can be recognized by Linux computers as well.

We have 2MP, 8MP, 16MP and 48MP small USB plug and play cameras.  Once you plug the camera into the computer, the Operating System will automatically install any drivers if needed.  The camera will show up as a video device like a webcam.  Free and low cost software that can see the camera includes Amcap, OBS Studio and ManyCam.

2MP/8MP/16MP Cameras

48MP USB Plug and Play Camera

8MP Camera with a C-Mount and Zoom Lens

The 2MP camera is not a true monochrome, but has a color sensor with the Color Saturation turned down in the camera firmware.  This limits the UV sensitivity of the 2MP camera.

The 8MP, 16MP and 48MP cameras are true monochrome cameras where we have removed the Color Filter Array (CFA) or Bayer Pattern and the microlenses.  The CFA and microlenses are made from a type of polymere that blocks a lot of the UV light.  The the CFA and microlenses removed, the cameras gain about 6X more sensitivity in the UV, 2X more sensitivity in visible and infrared to 800nm.  After 800nm, the color and monochrome cameras have a similar response.

Spectral Response for USB Plug and Play 8, 16 and 48MP monochrome full spectrum UV-VIS-IR cameras with no coverglass.

Please not that the spectral response curve is not for the 2MP camera.  The curve is for 8,16 and 48MP USB plug and play cameras converted to monochrome with no coverglass.  With the stock 4mm M12 lens, you can see to about 330nm.  To see below that, you need a lens like our Llewellyn Optic M12 Quartz Lens that can see to below 200nm.

The true monochrome cameras can see down to about 230nm giving them a spectral range greater than 230 to 1100nm.  For work in the UV, these modified cameras are the least expensive way to image in the UV.  For UV work, for best results, use the cameras indoors with a UV light source.  For a wide variety of UV light sources at relatively low cost, we have a wide range of UV flashlights which you can see here.

The XNiteFlashF lights have a rechargeable battery (most models), adjustable zoom, adjustable focus and are quite sturdy.

Our XNiteFlashF series of flashlights covers a range of 255nm to 1550nm. Using a XNiteFlashF flashlight in a dark room is a less expensive way for multispectral imaging versus using camera filters. The camera filters have limited options and in the UV, many filters also have an infrared transmission which ruins a UV picture. Only a slight IR transmission will wreck a UV picture because of the difference in camera sensor sensitivity. The cameras see infrared light very well with a much lower response to UV light.