Irradiance Recovery and HDR Images Reconstruction from the Measurement of Nonlinear Response Curves of DSLR Cameras

The non-linear response behavior of digital single-lens reflex cameras limits their application in scientific measurements where accurate light intensity is crucial, as pixel values in camera images do not correspond linearly to incident irradiances. This essay proposes a method for measuring the non-linear response curves of digital single-lens reflex cameras, enabling accurate recovery of incident intensities despite the inherent non-linearity of these cameras. Optimized from an existing algorithm, this technique achieves higher-quality results and faster programming times. The effectiveness and accuracy of the recovered response curve have been validated through experiments involving an optical laser setup with various incident intensities. Additionally, the response curve has been used to reconstruct high dynamic range images, yielding superior results compared to those produced directly by MATLAB functions. These findings offer a practical approach for utilizing single-lens reflex cameras with high tunability and flexibility in scientific experiments while maintaining a linear response to incident irradiance.